| Even if your child is 3 years old, the only question | | | | is in good working condition. The main point, is that |
| you must ask yourself to determine if a person is | | | | you don't want to make a big investment causing |
| ready to learn to sew is: Will they obey the MOST | | | | you to be concerned with your child messing the |
| important rule in sewing? | | | | machine up, or not getting the value out of it by not |
| What is this rule? - Keep your fingers out from under | | | | using it as often as you thought you would. |
| the needle!!!!! | | | | However, invest enough so that the machine does |
| When our daughter was 3, I knew that she could | | | | not cause your child to lose their desire to learn to |
| understand the dangers and would obey that rule. | | | | sew. |
| We bought her an inexpensive sewing machine and | | | | BASIC FEATURES YOU WANT IN A SEWING |
| three months later she was sewing pillows, and by 6 | | | | MACHINE |
| months she had sewn her first lap quilt. Of course, | | | | 1. Stitches: straight, zigzag, buttonhole, and a reverse |
| we never let her operate the sewing machine | | | | stitch |
| without supervision. It is very important to never let | | | | 2. Presser Feet: basic foot (already on the machine), |
| your child be unsupervised while sewing. | | | | zipper foot, and buttonhole foot |
| We have three sewing machines. My husband bought | | | | 3. Make sure you have several (I prefer at least 4-5) |
| me a wonderful sewing machine for my birthday, | | | | options for stitch length and width. |
| which is what started this incredible journey. When | | | | * One other thought about what you want in a |
| my girls showed their interest, we were led to buy a | | | | machine. One of the mothers that I am working with |
| basic machine for our 3 year old, so that we didn't | | | | found a sewing machine for her 6 year old that has a |
| have to be concerned with her breaking mine. This | | | | speed control on the pedal. This is the hardest thing |
| was an adult sewing machine, actually it is a machine | | | | for younger children to learn; how to control the |
| that is used in schools (able to take a lot of wear | | | | speed of the machine with just the right pressure on |
| and tear), but under $100. | | | | the pedal. If you can find this feature on a less |
| Just last year, we met a precious man that has | | | | expensive machine get it. If not, don't worry about it |
| worked on sewing machines for over 40 years. | | | | because by learning pedal pressure your child will be |
| When he found out that my girls were sewing at | | | | able to use any machine. |
| such a young age, he blessed them with a 30 year | | | | FINDING THE RIGHT MACHINE |
| old machine that is still in wonderful condition. | | | | After you have been sewing for a while, and you |
| We enjoy all 3, each having its own pros and cons. | | | | know you are going to spend a lot of time/years |
| We actually find ourselves choosing one over the | | | | doing this, you will also know what you enjoy making |
| other for different types of jobs. I believe this is true | | | | the most, and what needs your sewing machine |
| for all sewing machines; every brand and model has | | | | must meet. |
| its pros and cons. | | | | Even though we sew a large variety of items from |
| DO NOT JUMP INTO AN EXPENSIVE MACHINE! | | | | home decorating, clothes, quilts, to accessories, as |
| Unless you already own a sewing machine, or if your | | | | well as patching horse blankets, we spend most of |
| sewing machine required your savings to purchase it, | | | | our time on costumes (1600s-1800s dresses) and |
| I highly recommend an inexpensive sewing machine | | | | bags. Both of these require a machine that can |
| for the younger ages. Once again, you have to | | | | handle extreme bulk. |
| consider the maturity level of your children. Will they | | | | Start asking for people's opinions on different sewing |
| follow the Main Rule of sewing? We bought a new, | | | | machines. Go to stores where you can try them out. |
| cheaper machine for our 3 year old, but I let my 6 | | | | Try your friends' sewing machines, and don't forget |
| year old use my machine. She is the oldest child, and | | | | to take with you the type of fabric that you use the |
| strived on knowing ALL rules about everything and | | | | most. |
| following them to the T. | | | | Once you try out some machines, I recommend |
| You don't want to go so cheap that the machine is | | | | buying on line, because you can get great deals. It |
| breaking all the time; this will lead to frustration. | | | | just depends on if you need the extra service that a |
| (They sell children's plastic sewing machines - DO | | | | store front may provide. Make sure you have |
| NOT go this route). I have seen very good sewing | | | | someone in your area that can service your machine |
| machines in the $50-$100 range. We bought ours for | | | | before buying online. I have been able to find a |
| around $60 and still use it today. | | | | wonderful man who is able to service and repair all of |
| Another route is to find a used sewing machine that | | | | my machines. |