4Real Forums: Sewing machines

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Topic: Sewing machines

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Becky Parker
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Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
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Posts: 2582

Posted: May 27 2006 at 7:13am \| IP Logged

Boy, I'm just full of questions lately! This one is about sewing machines, which I know NOTHING about. My dd is only 7 but really wants to learn to sew. She hand stitches beautifully. My MIL is quite a seamstress so maybe dd somehow got the "sewing gene" that I never got. Anyway, I would like to include a sewing machine for her into my school budget, and actually teach her some sewing skills as part of our school day. (By the way, I don't have a sewing gene, but I have taken several classes and I think I know the basics enought to teach her - at least at this age.) Anyway, to my question: Do you think it is good to get her one of those little sewing machines made my Singer?, or should I skip that and go to a real sewing machine? My dh, (his Mom still sends him shirts that he wears to work - we're talkin beautiful here!) thinks the expense is worth it if she learns to sew. MIL says she will come for an extended visit and teach her some too. What do you think?
Becky

Sarah
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Joined: Aug 17 2005
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Posted: May 27 2006 at 9:40am \| IP Logged

I would get a real sized sewing machine and learn with her. You'll need to supervise always, and you'll need to know how to work the machine. She'll need help with the bobbin, threading, etc.

At 7 she is still pretty young. Straight stiching is the way to go at first--which is sewing in a straight line, rather than zig-zagging, buttonholes, decorative stitching, etc.

Could you find someone to come to the house to teach you sewing? When my kids were younger I would go to a woman's house with 13 children and teach her and her teenage girls how to sew. The pay-off was that my kids had fun while playing with her kids. There might be a similar situation for you.

If you know the basics then you are set! Start there and keep it fun. Simple projects like a pillowcase, and an apron (a square with a long ribbon for a waistband) are great to start with.

I wish I had time to sew. I love sewing. . .no time with all these little people

. I do pull the machine out to sew on MANY Boy scout patches!

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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9

MicheleQ
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Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
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Posts: 2193

Posted: May 27 2006 at 10:03am \| IP Logged

Becky Parker wrote:

Do you think it is good to get her one of those little sewing machines made my Singer?, or should I skip that and go to a real sewing machine? My dh, (his Mom still sends him shirts that he wears to work - we're talkin beautiful here!) thinks the expense is worth it if she learns to sew. MIL says she will come for an extended visit and teach her some too. What do you think?
Becky

Becky,

Definitely get her a real machine. The toy ones are just that, toys and frankly junk. You can get a decent real machine at an inexpensive price. The fancy stitches are nice but you really don't need them (I've been sewing for 25 years and rarely use them). Straight stitch, zig zag and a buttonholer are all you need . . .well technically all you really need is a straight stitch. My 9 yr. old dd has a Singer 201-2 from the 40's that works like a dream. It only does a forward or reverse straight stitch. Old machines can be really good. Old Kenmores in particular tend to be quite nice.

Have fun!

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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com

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