Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: grandma C
Date: 01-30-2007, 01:19 AM (1 of 15)
|
I was in my friendly Janome dealers store today and saw a Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine. It Is supposed to be for children 8 years old and up. Have any of you tried out one. I have a 6 year old gd that would probably love to have one. She would have to have direct supervision of course. I do want to give her one that will really work and without a lot of hassel and adjustment. Grandma C |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: dmoses
Date: 01-30-2007, 08:25 AM (2 of 15)
|
I, personally, would stay away from anything 'gimmicky'. Children's machines don't usually work correctly, and that could prove to be very frustrating for her, and you! When my daughter was seven, I bought a good used basic machine for her. It worked and is still working great now, nine years later. Hope this helps. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
|
From: temom
Date: 01-30-2007, 08:35 AM (3 of 15)
|
Everything I've ever read supports what Donna said. Go with a good used machine instead. You would be suprised what you can find if you keep your eyes open.
Theresa
|
User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 410 
|
From: grandma C
Date: 01-30-2007, 02:43 PM (4 of 15)
|
Thanks Temom and Donna. I'll heed your advice. Grandma C |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 01-30-2007, 02:53 PM (5 of 15)
|
GrandmaC take a look at the Janome Gem or the Kenmore Mini for your GD. I have the Kenmore mini and it does straight and zig zag stitches and I think the Janome Gem has a few more than that. Patsy Patsy
|
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-30-2007, 06:53 PM (6 of 15)
| I agree with Patsy. The Janome Jem Silver or Gold can be purchased on line for a good price but the Sears Kenmore mini (also Janome made) is much less in price and I believe both offer the same stitches but the Jem has the top load bobbin and slant spool and the Kenmore has the front load vertical. They both also have blind hem and a 4 step buttonhole and I think some stretch stitches. The Kenmore I believe is now offered in different colors. My girl has the older mini blue. Since she got her machine there are now the pearl colors in green, white and pink. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Ozll
Date: 01-30-2007, 07:29 PM (7 of 15)
| I bought my younger friend a little 12$ Portable sewing machine. This may not be what your looking for ( it does not backstich) But it is simple, small and comes in pink and white! They are really good little machines that I think would be nice for someone younger to learn on and get the basics, plus it is only 12-13 $ so you can start with that and upgrade later. I hope this helps-- I bought it at wal-mart. |
User: Ozll
Member since: 01-25-2007 Total posts: 32 |
From: mcfay
Date: 01-30-2007, 08:54 PM (8 of 15)
|
I also agree she should learn on a real machine. I learned on my mother's old machine after she bought a new one. It was a treadle, of course she could learn on a simple straight stitch. One that works well so she won't get frustrated. Let her learn to control the speed first without a needle. Then after she has mastered that you can thread it and let her sew on scraps for a while. Before you know it she will be a great little seamstress. But make sure she is really interested in learning first. I was only 5 when my mother taught me. I was so short I had to stand up and use one foot to peddle the treadle. When I was 6 my mother cut out a simple dress and I sewed it and wore it to school. |
User: mcfay
Member since: 01-30-2007 Total posts: 16 |
From: JustSewCrafty
Date: 01-31-2007, 10:46 AM (9 of 15)
|
WHen I was looking for a beginner sewing machine for my niece, I looked at ALL kinds of different ones. You definatly need to make sure it's a real sewing machine. A lot of the ones I looked at were pink and cute and stuff but they were actually a toy, that kinda sewed. I read reviews on the pink singer, bratz sewing machine, and the simplicity red and white kids machines and the reviews were AWFUL. I ended up getting her a Janome Sew Mini and it has been perfect. You can get them on sale @ hancocks for about $49 if there's not a dealer around you. IT has a drop in bobbin, which is good for a beginner...I prefer them myself. ANyway, hope that helps. May your bobbin always be full-
Stephanie www.chasingthreads.blogspot.com "Sewing is the new black" |
User: JustSewCrafty
Member since: 10-04-2006 Total posts: 168 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-31-2007, 12:02 PM (10 of 15)
|
That is good to know. Thanks for the tip. I have a picture somewhere of my step gd and I sewing.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: lizzybugsmommy
Date: 02-01-2007, 12:16 AM (11 of 15)
|
I bought my Dad a sewing machine from the thrift shop a few months back. He had asked me to be on the look out for one. It was an older singer. I took it home cleaned it up, oiled it and tried it out. It sewed so beautifully I did not want to give it to him. The other great part about this machine was that it cost less than $10.00. It also had about 15 stitches that he could learn to use and it not be overwhelming. I learned to sew on an older Brother and I loved that machine I wish I still had it. It was stolen off the trailer while moving. I had had it for about 20 years or so. (I was 5 when I got it so no I am not old now. LOL> 20 years just made me sound old.) My grandparents bought it at a yard sale for a few bucks and my Pop fixed it up for me and I went to town. It was still going strong. I know my Aunt bought one of hose kid type machines for her daughter and it didnt work worth a flip. She sent it back. Anyway good luck finding one that workks for her. Hugs Catherine
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A0E42A2C202&cp=ems_shr_a lb_pml&cb=PW Husbands gone fishing..... I've gone fabric shopping |
User: lizzybugsmommy
Member since: 05-20-2006 Total posts: 207 |
From: Melanie T
Date: 02-12-2007, 02:08 PM (12 of 15)
|
We really like the kenmore mini ultra for kids machines. I have 3 for my boys to use and also for my sewing students.
Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-14-2007, 12:38 AM (13 of 15)
| Yes, the Kenmore mini's are nice and not toys as I posted earlier. The same as for the Janome Jems. The newer little Jems are computerized and as expensive as a larger machine (can be seen on the Janome site). The Jem Gold and Jem Silver are discontinued mechanical models but still are available from on line dealers. These little machines are not toys. They are small (like the feather weight) that were designed for Quilters and Guild members to take to classes. The little Jem Silver even has the ASG logo on it as well as on the little blue carry bag that the machine comes with. The Jem Silver ASG logo on the machine and bag is to commemorate the ASG's either 20 or 25th Anniversary, I forget which. I love that little machine but my middle daughter now owns it to sew for her little ones. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: grandma C
Date: 02-14-2007, 08:04 PM (14 of 15)
|
Thank You everyone, I will remember all this great info. My own Janome MC 5000 was bought used for $200 and sewing on it is heaven compared to the worn out machines I made my two sons clothes on. I am all about frugality. Here is a photo of Chloe sewing by hand. http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u174/grandmac_album/sewing003-1.jpg I can't wait to get her started on a machine. Her divorced Dad took home ec in middle school 15 years ago. He'll probably be her coach. That should be good for them both. |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: karen149
Date: 02-20-2007, 02:24 PM (15 of 15)
|
Those Hello Kitty machines are real Janomes. The smaller blue one is the same as the Janome Sew Mini mentioned earlier: http://www.hancockfabrics.com/jump.jsp?itemID=20708&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C2972%2C2973%2C2976 My 6 y.o. has one and it's great for learning. She made travel tissue covers as Christmas gifts on it-of course I had to help her keep the fabric straight. She's happy to sew lines on scrap fabric right now just to get the feel of the machine. The green Hello Kitty does a buttonhole and can use other Janome snap on feet. It is the same as the Janome 3125 and Kenmore Mini Ultra. Both sew 550 spm so they're not too fast. I noticed both the Hello Kitty machines are on sale at Sears ending today. SewVacDirect has it with free shipping. Karen |
User: karen149
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 3 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-21364.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft