Teaching children to sew on a full-size sewing machine can be very challenging and can result in a lot of tiny fingers being pierced by very sharp needles. Not only that, their small fingers have a very hard time working with some of the functions on the machine.
Sewing machines have feet, bobbins, dials, foot pedals and all sorts of bells and whistles that are just too complicated for children to understand, never mind manipulate. Even the simple act of threading the needle is too much for the average adult, never mind a child.
On top of all that, the controls (dials, buttons, knobs, etc) are much too large for small hands, and their tiny legs will never be able to reach the foot pedal.
Plus, there is a real concern that they could hurt themselves with the needle or other sharp objects on the machine.
So what is the best toy sewing machine for children? The top features you should look for when choosing a toy sewing machine for kids is that is it safe to operate and lightweight. Other important features are an easy-to-use bobbin system and simple thread feeding. A sewing machine designed for children will either have a foot pedal the child can easily reach, or a push button that runs the needle.
Keep reading to learn the history of children’s sewing machines and the best toy sewing machines you can find on the market.
A History of Children’s Sewing Machines
Many sewing machines designed for adults are lightweight, easy to use and portable, yet still too complicated for children to operate safely.
That is why toy manufacturers invented toy sewing machines for kids.
This seemed like a great idea at the time. Kids would be able to sew and create fabulous dresses, pants, shirts, and skirts for their dolls and maybe even for themselves, without hurting themselves.
Unfortunately, children receiving these wonderful sewing machines as Christmas or birthday presents soon found out that these “toy sewing machines” didn’t sew much at all and broke easily.
Much to their dismay, parents quickly learned this lesson as well. Not only did the parents waste their money on what they thought was a great gift, but they disappointed their child with a rotten gift.
All of the joy and expectation that they saw in their child’s eyes when the present was opened, turned to total disappointment a week later when the sewing machine broke!
Or, maybe the machine did keep working for a few weeks, but the stitches were a mess and nothing the little kid tried to make worked out at all!
The Best Sewing Machines for Kids
That is when the next generation of sewing machines for children was invented.
These work great and last a long time. They are just as good as the adult versions, only much simpler to operate, and much cheaper to buy.
Kids can have all of the fun and excitement of creating fabulous garments for their dolls or themselves while learning a valuable skill they can use for the rest of their lives.
The bobbin and threading system have always been two of the most complicated features of any sewing machine. Once these functions were simplified, the whole sewing machine was revolutionized.
Sewing machines for children are now very simple to use, simple to thread and the bobbin pretty much loads itself.
Well, the bobbin does not load itself, but it is much simpler in the child-friendly models than it ever was, or even is to this day, with higher-end professional models.
Unlike the early models of child-focused sewing machines, today’s kid’s sewing machines are strong, durable and capable of sewing just about anything a full-sized, high-priced sewing machine can put out.
In fact, many beginner sewers learn how to perfect their craft with these machines.
And, many experienced sewers keep one or two of these handy dandy little machines as a backup or in case of emergencies. The lightweight portability makes these “toy” sewing machines the perfect companion for sewers of all experience levels.
The 5 Best Toy Sewing Machines
Okay, so now that you know a lot about toy sewing machines, let’s look at the best ones on the market today:
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine | Good for beginners/children, quiet |
2. | NEX Sewing Machine | Foot pedal or button operated, safety cover |
3. | Brother RLX3817A Sewing Machine | Instructional CD, tension control |
4. | Singer 1304 Sewing Machine | Well-built, good for beginners |
5. | Janome Bandana Blush Sewing Machine | Easy to use, high-powered |
We’re sure one of these is sure to delight the craft kid in your life, but you can read on for more information about each to be sure of that yourself!
1. Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
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This easy-to-use Brother machine is versatile and packed with loads of extra value. It has a full range of user-friendly features built into a sleek, lightweight design.
The XM2701 is the perfect sewing machine for beginners, as well as more advanced sewers that are looking for a simple, portable alternative to bulky complicated machines designed for experts.
Pros:
- Child friendly, safe plastic parts.
- Grows with you as your skills grow.
- Easy to thread.
- Affordable.
- Quiet.
- Simple bobbin threading and use.
- 25 year limited warranty.
- Free phone support for the life of the product.
Cons:
- No automatic up and down needle position.
- No adjustable speed control.
2. NEX Sewing Machine
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The NEX is just the right size for kids. It perfectly scales down the size of larger machines and simplifies the functions without cutting down on value or functionality.
This kid-friendly version is also ideal for beginners. It offers a foot pedal and button operation, two sewing speeds and a super-easy drop bobbin system.
Pros:
- Has a safety cover surrounding the needle area, so you don’t have to worry about the needle piercing your child’s fingers.
- Easy to use.
- Simple operation and design.
- Lightweight and small enough for a child to use with ease.
- Button and foot pedal operation.
- Two power options.
Cons:
- Can’t sew through thick layers of fabric (but most children won’t need to do this anyway).
- No reverse function (which is also not something a child needs).
3. Brother RLX3817A Sewing Machine
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This machine is exceptionally easy to use. It is ideal as a second, back-up machine for experts as well as the perfect learning machine for kids.
The versatile features include built-in sewing stitches, automatic buttonholes, and couching stitches.
The RLX3817A comes with an easy to follow instructional CD.
Pros:
- Ideal for children.
- Lightweight and compact.
- Affordable.
- Quick set drop-in bobbin system.
- Thread tension control.
- Clear-view bobbin cover.
- Instructional CD.
Cons:
- Automatic threader is a bit confusing.
- The CD is not helpful for some people who don’t have a CD player.
4. Singer 1304 Sewing Machine
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The Singer 1304 sewing machine features 6 basic stitches. A simple turn of the dial allows you to select which stitch you want to use. The length and width of the stitches are preset, so there is never any guesswork.
This machine is specifically designed for children and beginners. Experts find that it is not heavy duty enough to handle more complicated projects.
Pros:
- Child-friendly and easy to use.
- Well built and does everything you would expect from a top of the line machine.
- Excellent machine for learning the basics of sewing.
- Easily accessible handy thread cutter.
- Handy buttonhole attachment.
Cons:
- Some aspects might be a bit complicated and hard to understand.
- No sample spool of thread included.
- Thread has a tendency to snag.
5. Janome Bandana Blush Sewing Machine
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The new Janome Bandana Blush is designed for children and new sewers.
This compact machine is the perfect tool for all types of simple sewing projects and includes all of the essential features your child needs to create fun and interesting garments.
Pros:
- Lots of fun to use.
- Child friendly and very simple.
- Easy to load drop bobbin.
- Lightweight.
- Considered a toy, but has the power of a full sized machine.
Cons:
- Not ideal for expert sewers. It is more geared towards children.
- Does not come with an overhead light.
Summary
These sewing machines are considered toys, but they work so well that many adults just learning to sew prefer them over the more complicated full-size versions.
These are the best sewing machines for children, but you really can’t call them toys. They are powerful machines that beginners and many experts prefer over the larger, more expensive and more complicated models.