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Member since 5/13/18
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Posted on: 1/22/19 4:58 PM ET
My daughter wants to learn some really basic sewing to do some really basic hemming and fixes to some of the fraying clothes, but it would probably also be fun to do some projects. So I'm looking into sewing options for a complete beginner.

However, there is no point in getting her a 'proper' machine...as they quite expensive and I don't know if she really wants a full sewing machine though. So I'm wondering if anyone knows of any cheap small sewing machines that would be okay for a 16-year-old.

I looked at some handheld machines that look nice:
https://sewingtopgear.com/mini-sewing-machines/

If this little stapler-like machine is any good, I would really love it, but I wonder if they're just cheap and poorly made. Are they good for small sewing jobs? Do they drop stitches, have weak seams, etc?

Thanks in advance!
  
Member since 11/28/13
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Posted on: 1/22/19 5:13 PM ET
In reply to Sue91
I'm probably going to take some heat for this but will give you the advice I'd give a relative or good friend who wanted to learn to sew. Those little hand-held machines aren't usually very good and are extremely limited. Read the reviews. (I had to laugh last week because someone suggested that not all reviews are reliable. No, they aren't. But if they are completely unreliable, why does a site called "Pattern Review" exist? Because many people do have valuable information to share that's worth heeding.)

I don't have a suggestion, unfortunately. But a simple machine, a real machine, not a toy, will suffice. You don't need 60 stitches. You don't need a computerized machine -- they are more expensive and can be costly to fix if they are fixable. You need a reasonably good straight stitch, zigzag stitch, and buttonhole. An inexpensive machine will have mainly plastic parts and not be powerful but will be good enough for your daughter to make many simple things and see if she likes sewing. Just don't expect to sew through a lot of thick layers. Something like this Brother machine might be worth looking at.

It is possible to buy older, used, metal machines for less and they are a good value, but if you don't know how to sew and aren't handy and up for the research and tinkering I don't recommend them for a beginner.
-- Edited on 1/22/19 at 5:14 PM --
  
Member since 2/4/17
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Posted on: 1/22/19 5:29 PM ET
https://babylock.com/machines/sewing
See babylock BL9 usually sells for $99 basic sewing machine, few stitches, not computerized, but a mechanical (meaning internal parts are gears and not computer chips) and is powered by electricity (motor, foot pedal). Knobs, dials for stitch selection, full-size table top, basic stitches and basic needle positions and is a full-size machine with a vertical bobbin. This machine would last 20 to 25 years or more.
  
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Posted on: 1/22/19 6:46 PM ET
In reply to Sue91
No, just no. Do not waste $ on those handheld “sewing machines”. Bad seams. Weak seams. A mistake made by my nephew when his oldest daughter went to college. They realized they should have asked me first.

Further down the list in your link is Singer 4411. $99

I bought the next Singer Heavy Duty model up when my son-in-law’s motorcycle armor jacket nearly killed my old but amazing & once TOL Pfaff. These days a ruffler foot lives on that Singer although this month it is mending clothing for people coming to the warming shelter my church is operating this month. It is a reliable machine that will handle light weight fabrics as well as it muscles through heavy ones. The buttonhole is acceptable. It zigzags, does a stretch stitch, etc.

8 years ago I bought a 3/4 size Hello Kitty machine by Janine. My stepson asked if I would make the adjustments his fiancée wanted to her wedding gown. I was flying and no one there knew anyone who sewed but they offered to ask if anyone had a machine I could borrow. I needed something I could fly with, as in carry-on with me. I needed to be familiar with the machine before attacking/undertaking this project. Just under $100. Well worth it to me and it will be passed on to a grandchild.

Neither of these machines is the most elegant, however each does the job I need it to do. They are have been reliable for me for the things I have needed them to do.

So, while I work on a very old former TOL machine (almost 40 yrs old), I find those 2 machines worthy. Depending on your budget, $100 is a chunk of change. Or not. You want a machine that works well and reliably. That’s a good place to begin.

Both machines, or a similar Janome, can be purchased through Amazon. JoAnn Fabrics also carries that heavy duty Singer, and frequently on a markdown. Mostly JA coupons don’t count on sewing machines. A low level Brother could also be worth looking at. I just trust the brand. My 2 cents.
-- Edited on 1/22/19 at 6:48 PM --
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Member since 1/18/05
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Posted on: 1/22/19 7:00 PM ET
In reply to Sue91
I agree with others - just say no.

Think of what you spend on your teen to try new things. Would you purchase a whiffle ball bat if your child needed a bat to play ball? Or a badmintten set when your child wants to learn tennis. Or a toy recorder when your child asks to learn the flute?

I'm not saying that you need to buy anything expensive. You can find a very nice pre-loved machine with a decent stitch and some features for very little money. It doesn't matter if it's 25 years old if it's been maintained & still stitches well. There's nothing wrong with a second hand purchase.

But, IMHO, nothing will frustrate or turn a teen off more than using equipment that just gives a bad result or is not easy to get to work correctly. I don't think those mini-hand held-as seen on tv type devices will make anyone enjoy even the simplest task of sewing a hem or attaching a button.


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My Herd: Bernina 790 Plus Upgrade, Bernina 735, Babylock Triumph, Bernina Record 931. Sewing Makes My Crazy Life Normal.

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Member since 8/29/06
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Posted on: 1/22/19 7:42 PM ET
In reply to Sue91
Quote:
If this little stapler-like machine is any good, I would really love it, but I wonder if they're just cheap and poorly made. Are they good for small sewing jobs? Do they drop stitches, have weak seams, etc?


The stapler type gadgets make a chain stitch rather than a lock stitch. I tried one many years ago and returned it quickly.
Also many years ago tried one of the toy like ones. The power adapter cord didn't even reach the electrical outlet so took that back without sewing with it. I haven't tried a Janome Sew Mini. Some people like them and many don't. For certain they are not cheaply priced. Looking at Amazon for Australia, sewing machines are much higher than I am use to in US so I can see your dilemma.

Being an intermediate yourself might you have an extra machine you wouldn't mind teaching your 16 year old daughter to use?
  
Member since 7/28/04
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Posted on: 1/22/19 8:06 PM ET
Oh just no....those are really poor quality. Just want to save your dollars.
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 1/22/19 8:22 PM ET
I see a lot of this class of machine when the local kids bring me their machines that are acting up. Unfortunately, most are not sturdy enough to repair (if parts are even available -- mostly they're not) and if I cant fix it with a new needle, correct threading and a little cleaning, they are landfill fodder.

Sometimes I let them sew on my Singer 15-91 or my Juki F600 while I am working on their machine. I can see the shoulders drop down from around their ears as they figure out that it shouldn't be such a struggle to sew.

Putting the same amount of money into a decent used machine would be my suggestion, if the budget is limited.
-- Edited on 1/22/19 at 11:34 PM --
  
Member since 5/2/09
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Posted on: 1/22/19 8:53 PM ET
That one does not make a chain stitch. But the actual hook point of it that needs to pick up the thread for each and every stitch is made of a soft piece of plastic. So I think "allowed" by design of it, only one needle hit to it, and that is just it, never to work again. Even if it did not work very good in the first place at all. With some kid sewing on it, that probably would be in the first few hours. So, $30.00 or there abouts for an hour or two, or maybe even less, would be a pretty expensive toy. Some at least over 50 or 60 year old kids toy sewing machine or any old real hand crank made for grownups kind of sewing machine, could often last maybe at least over 100 or 150 years instead though, or way longer, maybe depending on which one. But that one would not be working very good or long at all.

I sewed on a 1960's to 70's elna junior kids toy chain stitch machine the other day, those have a little music box built into them, that was actually really nice. I don't think most little kids can manage to do all that much with only a chain stitch though. And I think that would be too hard for them to fasten off even. Probably best to just let her use a real machine. Even if it was a free giveaway kind of one of any age, just sitting out on the curb someplace.
  
Member since 3/25/12
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Posted on: 1/22/19 10:05 PM ET
I begged my mom for one of those when I was in college, and it broke after two projects. So not worth it, in my opinion.

Amazon sells certified reconditioned sewing machines, many for around $60. With free shipping, seems like a better deal that will stand up a little longer.
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