what's the best sewing machine for teens & preteens?

What kind of sewing does she want to do and what is your price range?

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Start by reading this:

The "what machine should I buy" FAQ.

Then, come back with a budget, and maybe some idea of what your eleven-year-old is interested in sewing.

Beverly

My son is a sewing 11 YO. He likes my HV Lily 550 (now 7 years old), My Elna Lotus machines (he particularly liked the Stella Air Electronic I bought for a friend), thinks the Featherweight is good for learning on, and is looking forward to learning to treadle on my Singer 15-88...

Lots of kids I've taught love the Bernina 1008 (used a lot in schools here) and other Husqvarna models (the Lily is no longer available). I myself learned at the age of seven on a Singer 99.

Girls seem to like slower machines (or those you can make go slow easily), boys like all the fancy stitch patterns, and are particularly taken with being able to sew their names and rude words! ;)

James makes quilts. We'll get on to clothes this summer (zippy off cargo pants and a vest with three million pockets I see in his eye, plus a combination of camp blanket and poncho for camp fires in cold camps while scouting!). He needs a tough machine!

What sort of sewing does your 11 want to do? Maybe when we know that and the budget, we'll be able to help more. Jeans and quilt projects will need a stronger machine than cotton shirts, for example... I'm looking round for a decent pre-loved machine for James to have all of his own.

As a preteen/sewist, I would like to give my two cents worth. I must agree that budget is a big concern. If s/he has already gotten a little into the swing of things, find out what s/he likes doing, and take her along when you go shopping. S/he will guide you to what s/he would prefer, as long as s/he keeps in mind price point and needs. If s/he has never really sewn any, I would imagine a good basic sewing machine with a few feet included and a couple of fancy stitches would be perfect. I would also include a couple of needles and feet with that. My machine (my only as of now **sniff**, but I am saving for a Janome memory craft) is a Janome 415. Simple, but gets the job done and is effective. Has a couple of built in stitches and I *think* will take a few cams. So far it has been able to stand any and all fabric thrown at it (everything from sheer organza to heavy denim). Has some options to convert it for needs such as quilting. Like I said, take him/her along with you when shopping, and see what s/he needs/likes. It is rather important in the long far off run. My grandmother bought my machine, but luckily took me to see the one she picked out before she paid. I

*hated* it. I picked out a different one, and have loved it to near death. Good Luck!!

Tahirih, humble sewist "Two things are infinate; the universe and human stupididty. I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Eintein

Tahirih, I just want to complement you on your grasp of English. Not because I suspect English is a second language for you or anything but because I've not yet seen a preteen (or a teen even!) use such impeccable grammar and punctuation. I'm highly impressed and your parents must be inordinately proud of you :)

K

tahirih luvs 2 sew wrote:

Sounds a bit like my family... My older sister taught me to read when I was 4, as much as a game as anything else. Dad trained as a teacher after doing a degree in History, and then taught people to fly fast jets as part of his RAF career! His father was a Minister of the Kirk. Mum's family are all engineers, but again, great bookworms from an early age. If son James (now 11) chooses to go to uni, he'll be one of the fourth generation of tertiary educated folk in the family.

Learning to read, learning to sew... happened at much the same time for me. I started school already doing both!

You keep the good work up, young 'un - show the world kids ain't all bozos and losers! ;)

I agree with Kate that Tahirih is a credit to her generation; however, I would advise caution in putting identifying personal information in her ng posts, for her own safety. Just call me paranoid, if you want to. :)

Doreen in Alabama

Oh, I do agree Doreen. It isn't safe at all to post some things on the internet, lest people like spammers, rapists, and murderers are around. But, even though I don't quite **KNOW** any of you, I think I can be pretty sure that none of you are in the category listed above. That's why no one knows where I live, or who my family is, or my phone #, and you have to try really hard to get ahold of me thru email (the one everyone views isn't real). So methinks that after sharing that info, I can still sleep soundly at night, not that I don't understand where you are coming from, of course.

My concern is that we don't know just who is reading this ng at any given time, so it's possible that someone in one of those categories might be interested in personal info that's posted. I think you have told us some of those things.

(Does a famous nickname, but spelled in a rather unique way, mean anything to you?)

Doreen in Alabama

You reveal more than you may be aware: for instance, are you anywhere near Atlanta???

This newsgroup is probably quite safe, but really, do any of us know anything about *you*? You might be a teenager, but then again you might not. I might be a grandmother, but then again,....

Beverly

Quite true! I, of course, am 29 years old, tall and willowy, with stunning natural beauty and a melodious singing voice. ;-) That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Well, I'm a 79-year-old pervert with a predilection for old-sewing-babes! Would you like some candy, little girl? ;-)

Beverly

BEVERLY! Get you over here and mop this monitor! There's tea everywhere, gal.

Nope, sorry, you should know better than to read my messages with coffee/tea in hand.

Beverly

In *hand* isn't any problem.

Joy Beeson