I bought my niece a Janome Magnolia machine, I wanted her to have the speed control while learning and I wanted her to have a machine that she could grow into as she advances. She is 7 and loves it! She too has caught on quickly and runs it like a pro. If they have the interest buying a nice machine is worth it. My dealer sold it to me for $240 which was a great deal. It was a splurge but I was thrilled to do it for her and continue to be thrilled with her new love of sewing and the many projects she is making. I meet with her weekly for little sewing lessons which is great fun. When you think about it we spend a lot of money on "toys" that fade away into the bottom of the closet, this was a special gift and she tells everyone "it is the best present she has ever gotten her whole life" ) all 7 years!

I always forget about Craigs list. THanks for the heads up Mary Kay. CHeryl

Cheryl
If they pulled her wisdom teeth, she would loose her wisdom and start cussing like a sailor. "LOL" They sure can surprize us sometimes with what theyre thinking, they are smart little ones. I Love the little imbarassing moments out in public-memories we will cherish thats for sure.
Patti
I'm sure Mia would see you too,she has a big heart,she is a very loving child.

I would go with a real machine. I've been teaching my granddaughters to sew (they started at seven). I recently got a Bernina 730. After a few months I got brave enough to let the 10 year old sew on it. She's now teaching me how to use it!!! Computers don't intimidate them! Betty D

I would also recommend looking on Craig's list for a machine for sale in your area. I was glancing at the list recently in the Denver area and I saw some good machines at very reasonable prices! You may find the same thing in your area! Mary Kay

very funny. Its good to have connections, especially in the medical field. Cute remarks dont fade away as kids get older. we were sitting at the dinner table and we were talking about my 14 yr olds wisdom teeth. Hubby being in the navy tolder her she would have to get them pulled. "THats what sailors do". Little smarty told him she wasn't a sailor and becides. If they pulled her wisdom teeth, she would loose her wisdom and start cussing like a sailor. I don't know where she comes up with these things.

I will deffinately check out the smaller size machines. I think it would be a good starting point, to get her feet wet and see if she even likes sewing. Cheryl

Kathy, that is so funny. I think I already go to Mia lol.

Florence

LOL you telling her Daddy that is was a power tool______good thinking!
Our little Mia 5 got one after the Christmas sale also,the same
machine $25.00 A Janome Hello kitty,Cute little machine,well of course Grandmaw sews on Janomes! Mia sits in Cinda's "her mom" lap to sew,she enjoys sewing! Though she says she won't have time to sew when she grows up because she is going to be a Dr. she Told Grandpaw & Grandmaw that she would only charge us a dollar for visits then she replys isn't that nice! Grandmaw replys Yes Mia that is real nice,very sweet of you to think of us this way. Grandpaw asked her how she was going to make money like that she replys charge others more!!! She is a smart little one,so cute. She is our quit one. Kathy

my next-door-neighbor (age 6) just got the Janome Hello Kitty machine for her birthday, and I've been drafted for lessons after vacations... her folks don't sew, but dad has given it a try & thinks it's great! I validated him by telling him it IS a power tool anyway it looks like a good machine, and her grandma (lives across the country) got it on after X-mas clearance at Target for $25!!
But I also agree w/ the classified ad route, used is not a bad thing if it works... Florence

THankyou everyone. I knew I could count on you to give excellent advise. My first machine was a Kenmore but I didn't start until my early teens. Cheryl

I remember having a little metal kiddie one about 55 years ago (oh my) but became very frustrated with it very quickly. I too would recommend a simple one but something a child could grow into as his/her dexterity and eye hand coordination developes. The key is achieving a balance to lessen the liklihood of frustration for the child. If too complicated or too toy-like, it may be abandoned.

I know I went to my aunt who sewed in a factory to help me. She found a treadle Singer for me and spent the time to teach me how to use it and guided the first projects. I think it is the mentoring and achievement more than the machine that inspires a child.

Could you use a Featherweight? It just has the basic forward and back. no zigzag, at least, mine doesn't. Then you could move it around to where it would be easier to sew. Judy in AZ

It is fantastic that you are doing this - kids these days will never learn to sew if we don't take the time to teach them ourselves since home ec. is gone from most schools. Just a word of warning - avoid the cheaply made "kiddy" sewing machines. I learned my lesson the hard way. They do really work, but they are actually so complicated to thread and you have to noodle so much with them to get them to sew properly that they are virtually unusable by the children in the age range they are intended for. I should know - I bought two of them this past Christmas for my girls ages 6 and 7. They really wanted to sew on them, but after much anguish they have ended up just sitting on my sewing room shelf. Your best bet is a relatively inexpensive basic model sewing machine - nothing fancy. In fact the less features to distract them the better. You might even look in your local Bulletin Board or classified ad's, someone is always selling a used one, just test drive to make sure it is in good working order. As long as it has a straight stitch, a zig zag, and reverse you are good to go for a beginner. Oh, and the simpler to thread the better too.

Children grow up so quickly and their tastes and ideas change so fast. I think I would look at a regular machine. Pick your price range and get the best you can afford. I personally like Vikings and they are quite simple to run and maintain but still give a lot of flexibility. Granddaughter (age 10) just designed and quilted her first wall hanging completely on her own using my machine. Her Mom's machine is more complicated but she makes clothes on that (I can't figure out her Mom's machine) Ricky has said in classes buy the best machine you can afford and that is what I would do for this gift. Kids are very into technology these days so what we think is complicated (like the computer) they do like a breeze. Good luck and let us know what you decide. Ann