As a Grandma I do not want the drama of a needle in the finger of a grand. Buy the pressure foot with guard. The kids can learn the hard knocks on their mom's time. LOL

Clover makes a safety foot. I grew up on brothers and still have them the one I got in junior high still sews about 25yrs old

Onebyone, I agree with you let all the drama happen with the parent. I as a great-grandmother is trying to give my great-grands (a 10 yo and a 9 yo) a chance at how to operate the featherweight. Thanks for reminding me that the tool is available for their safety. Thanks for the thread Jcarpentier

Cherryb

I just found a pink and white portable singer model #1748. Someone had used it maybe once or twice to sew on badges for sports. I found it at a second hand store for twenty bucks. Still in the box and it has 32 stitch functions, an automatic button hole maker and a needle threader. It is quiet and sews like a dream.

I have wanted a small machine for downstairs during the hot months of the year. So this one fits the bill. I am looking at getting a machine carrier/cover to store it. Probably will cost more than the machine. LOL! My sis has extra feet she is giving me because it only came with four or five. Only three bobbins, so I would have to buy more of those too, but I doubt they could be very much.
I tried pricing it on line and it sells for about a hundred bucks or a little over.

My point being, check at the second hand stores. I once bought a bernina for seventeen dollars with tons of feet I gave to my sister. Spring cleaning time is a great time to find the deals.

My 7 year old granddaughter was sewing when the needle broke and hit her on the forehead. It didn’t hurt her or break the skin, but sure scared the heck out of Grammy! There was no more sewing until we bought some small size safety glasses.

Phyllis

My neighbor girl, age 8, Amish, so no electricity wants to learn to sew. Thanks for the link to the needle guard.
Patrice, you are one tough cookie.

My opinion is it depends on the temperament of the child. I loved the "domestic arts" and my mom was a great teacher. I was sewing, ironing, baking, and cooking meals for the family at age 9, am 50 now. I didn't need any special equipment, just education about how to properly use the tools with a warning about what could happen.

My youngest son is 18 and people are amazed at what he can do and what I "allow" him to do. I think wrapping our kids in bubble wrap to keep them safe and protect them from harm is a mistake - I've seen so many his age too scared to go out and actually do something for fear they might be hurt. It's a sad way to live life.

Until this morning I had never heard of a needle guard, Good to know that there are some out there for those who may need one to feel safe.

Even with a needle guard the child can still sew the finger. My neighbor's grandchild was pushing the fabric under the pressure foot with her finger and sewed it. It just penetrated the very tip of her finger and she was ok.