Mini sewing machines ?
05-10-2011, 10:37 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,789
Originally Posted by slk350
Thanks everyone for the info, now I still don't know what to do...my grandson is just so little. Maybe I'll just get that featherweight that I really want. My biggest concern is the speed of machine
05-10-2011, 11:00 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 2,671
I bought a Janome Sew Mini from Overstock.com to gauge my sons' interest/ability in sewing. I thought it would be nice to have a super portable machine, too. Mine never made a decent stitch and was so loud that I felt it was unsafe for my kids' hearing. I returned it, but shipping ate most of the refund. I had heard good thongs about the Sew Mini, so the one I got could have been a lemon. Sears sometimes has the Kenmore Mini Ultra, which is bigger than the Sew Mini, for $50. Better value, IMO.
05-10-2011, 11:07 PM
#13
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 12,028
My young children sew on a Janome Jem. It is a 3/4 machine and it is not a toy. Neither is the price. The mother of my young daughter's friend also got this machine for her daughter 12 and I also taught her to quilt on it. You can also put your grandson on your lap and set the speed to low and help him sew. My now 14 yr old learned to sew that way at barely 3 yrs old.
05-11-2011, 10:37 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bard,California
Posts: 697
Originally Posted by BKrenning
I would buy a real machine--not one of the mini's. If cost is a factor, look for a good used one on craigslist, thrift stores, rummage sales or your local newspaper. I have a cheapo little White machine that I bought to take on vacation when we fly and didn't want to worry about the airlines destroying it. I wish they would have destroyed it! It's the noisiest, roughest running sewing machine I've ever seen and you cannot sew a straight line with it to save your soul. It's so light that it's not even useful as a doorstop. $40 completely wasted! I should have bought a pre-loved older mechanical machine.
07-22-2011, 09:31 PM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 221
Originally Posted by Annaquilts
My young children sew on a Janome Jem. It is a 3/4 machine and it is not a toy. Neither is the price. The mother of my young daughter's friend also got this machine for her daughter 12 and I also taught her to quilt on it. You can also put your grandson on your lap and set the speed to low and help him sew. My now 14 yr old learned to sew that way at barely 3 yrs old.
My boys & my daughter sew; my granddaughter made her first quilt when she was only 8 years old. Teach 'em young and teach them on a good machine. They learn quickly and easily.
07-22-2011, 10:46 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
Originally Posted by gale
The Janome Sew Mini does not do a chain stitch. It has a needle on top and drop in bobbin so it's like any other sewing machine, only tiny.
07-22-2011, 10:51 PM
#18
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 12,028
Actually the bigger more expensive machines have the speed control and are easier to run. Maybe look at a janome Jem Gold or Silver. My children sew on those. It is a 3/4 machine and we have the quilter's edition. I think they are able to start at 5-6 years old. With some help ofcourse. I think I would be worried with the Feather weight. It has a lot of strenght and I would hate to see that needle go through a little ones finger. Also it is very easy to burn yourself on the FW light. My now 14 year old started at 3 on my lap on my Janome that has speed control. Now she uses the janome Jem and makes beautiful quilts.
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