tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post3910167612933909500..comments2023-07-25T11:48:39.285-04:00Comments on The Free Motion Quilting Project: Don't Buy Your Kid a Toy Sewing MachineLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-7636219383133644522016-06-20T13:05:07.974-04:002016-06-20T13:05:07.974-04:00I started sewing with a needle and thread at 6 yea...I started sewing with a needle and thread at 6 years old; a ripped pair of favorite shorts needed mending. My mother found what I had done and for Christmas that year was given a tiny Singer Chain Stitcher. It had a crank for sewing; real thread was used. I used this for everything until I was 16 years old!! Doll clothes, aprons, blankets, my own clothes. I learned to carefully ensure that the seams threads were secured, or the whole thing would 'unchain'.<br /><br />Some history: my grandmother professionally did crochet beading at home for income and I watched her do, laying under the frame and she her hands move and the tiny crochet needle thread the beads; my mother sewed everything and saved $500 for the most up-to-date Singer zig-zag machine (that was a lot of money in 1955). I remember when she brought it home and was amazed at what the machine could do; I was only 4 at the time. I would watch her sew all the time; sometimes asking questions and probably being taught concepts well before I took that first needle to sew my shorts.<br /><br />I have fond memories using this tiny Singer; it kindled my love of making things, sewing, and being creative using my mother's fabric scraps. I then really appreciated the 'real' sewing machine when my mother finally allowed me to use her Singer zig-zag. I earned my privilege and the rest is history.<br /><br />Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00035805701109734546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-35358040646052284892015-12-27T19:46:41.688-05:002015-12-27T19:46:41.688-05:00They are the most expensive of the vintage machine...They are the most expensive of the vintage machines (Although cheaper than most of the plastic crap offered today). You can find a lot of wonderful image machines for under $100 on Craigslist, and garage sales.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14901573359932480011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-48098997351295681572015-12-27T14:04:30.604-05:002015-12-27T14:04:30.604-05:00I bought my 3 year old granddaughter the toy machi...I bought my 3 year old granddaughter the toy machine and she loves it. I'm a sewer so she watches me so on my "grown up" machine. I explained to her that when she gets older I will get her a real machine!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10806795539825238338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-488572084447679252015-12-24T18:28:06.328-05:002015-12-24T18:28:06.328-05:00When my daughter was about 5 I wanted to get her a...When my daughter was about 5 I wanted to get her a machine. I went to the Singer dealer and when I told them how old my daughter was, then said, "oh, you don't want a machcine like this, get her a toy machine." Well I walked out and to the Elna/Bernina dealer and they were more than glad to sell me a basic Elna, which many, many years later is still going strong and is an awesome machine. Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08441722364511965427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-92190312530828253492015-12-24T16:18:08.248-05:002015-12-24T16:18:08.248-05:00Yes, Leah there is nothing more frustrating than t...Yes, Leah there is nothing more frustrating than to get something that doesn't work. My sisters and I learned how to sew on our Mon's early 1900 singer. We sewed on newspaper with no thread to help us get a straight stitch. My kids and grand kids started with a simple project with thread and fabric! My 7 year old great granddaughter has already made her first doll quilt and her seams are near perfect! She is a quilter for sure. I was nearly 50 before I ever got my finger under the needle and that was only because I thought my cat was going to get her paw under it as she was helping me sew! Another granddaughter burned her self on the iron. I told her she was now an official quilter, because she now had paid the price to be one. No scars were left. My youngest son was 10 when I purchased a new sewing machine before I could sit down to use it he was stitching his name with it! They really are ready to learn we just have to give them the right tools and let them go! That is why they are so much better than us with the electronics, they have no fear. Fear holds us back!Joyce Wilkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11256469613312103391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-30456573058254008382015-12-20T23:35:15.694-05:002015-12-20T23:35:15.694-05:00Learned to sew on my grandmother's Singer trea...Learned to sew on my grandmother's Singer treadle machine. Noni would peddle and I would guide. It took a while to get the rhythm. But I was probably around 4 or 5. Noni bought a used Montgomery Ward machine for me and eventually a Singer Touch and Sew. Did I say I was spoiled? I learned to cook from her too, old Wedgewood gas range. Never had an easy bake oven, I was 11 by the time it came out and knew my way around the kitchen.<br /><br />While I don't have kids or grandkids, I definitely would start them on my machines and then get a mid-level machine for their own.Paule-Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13413766715901241487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-77462095226332257182015-12-17T03:15:45.857-05:002015-12-17T03:15:45.857-05:00I am so with you on this, much better to teach the...I am so with you on this, much better to teach them how to deal with the danger then keep them away. My son made himself a little needlecase on the machine when he was about seven or eight, he was so proud of himselfJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07473367240638223881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-47824062450450310882015-12-14T17:19:22.814-05:002015-12-14T17:19:22.814-05:00I agree! I was using my mum's sewing machine s...I agree! I was using my mum's sewing machine since before I was ten. My first sewing machine of my own was an antique Singer – real but needing to be hand cranked. I am not so old that I pre-date electricity :) , but we lived in the country so reliable power supply was a factor in that choice. My next machine, when we had power, was secondhand. I would recommend secondhand to parents – you can get more features so a child is not constrained by a limited machine but at a better price. <br />I still have my antique Singer!Granny Maud's Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14526026491886013457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-88309215070993320672015-12-13T14:29:20.195-05:002015-12-13T14:29:20.195-05:00BOUGHT my DD a KENMORE basic machine for $150. I ...BOUGHT my DD a KENMORE basic machine for $150. I was able to verify that the KENMORE was actually made by Janome .. just had KENMORE name on it. All of my feet for my JANOME fit her machine. The machine was great for introducing her to basic sewing and quilting.... no problems with it and it still is kicking around but mostly goes to classes or retreats with me because I hate breaking down my sewing set up to take to class. Basic machines made by a good manufacture is a good way to introduce a newbie to sewing..... Another alternative is buy an good use machine .... I have picked up several for under $100 ... Singer 301 mechanical machine just straight stitches but what do you need more than that.... Did run into trouble getting bobbins for the 301.Nonnie Quilting Dreamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11226960029648599244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-77829189777028544932015-12-13T12:20:59.259-05:002015-12-13T12:20:59.259-05:00Great post! I was the kid who sewed over her fing...Great post! I was the kid who sewed over her finger. This only happened once. Thanks to a wise mother who gave me a bandaid and said, "Keep up the good work," I became very good with a sewing machine. I wish parents today were so encouraging.Dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12318805155106295512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-56590211283594650772015-12-12T18:01:21.026-05:002015-12-12T18:01:21.026-05:00What a wonderful blog post!! I enjoyed (and agreed...What a wonderful blog post!! I enjoyed (and agreed with) every word. In the 1950s and 60s my mother was far too protective of me, but I'll give her this--she did try (for about 10 minutes) to teach me to sew on a real machine (let's just say she was not the most patient mother on the planet). Fast forward 15 years later, and I got the patient lessons I needed from my husband's mom, who passed away in 2009. I'm eternally grateful to her, and I now have the wonderful machine on which she taught me to sew, the 1962 Singer 503a.Linda Wulf Koenighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05923385161588309971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-33591600997869858872015-12-12T11:15:51.623-05:002015-12-12T11:15:51.623-05:00Absolutely! You're going to raise a healthy, i...Absolutely! You're going to raise a healthy, independent ADULT - that's the whole point!Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-32363535711941088042015-12-12T11:13:38.583-05:002015-12-12T11:13:38.583-05:00I'm really loving my Juki Exceed F400. It has ...I'm really loving my Juki Exceed F400. It has speed control and a wide range of features that usually come with more expensive machines. Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-25802972100039898992015-12-12T11:12:33.942-05:002015-12-12T11:12:33.942-05:00I honestly agree. You've got to be doing somet...I honestly agree. You've got to be doing something wrong - not paying attention, working too fast, being distracted or tired - to hurt yourself badly with a sewing machine. First rule of machine safety (any machine or power tool) is to make sure you're up for the job and focused on what you're doing. Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-42198590248264487542015-12-12T11:10:40.069-05:002015-12-12T11:10:40.069-05:00That's wonderful! Sometimes sewing is a bug th...That's wonderful! Sometimes sewing is a bug that bites later in life and I love that she's asked you for help now.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-21120706540815986142015-12-12T11:09:45.913-05:002015-12-12T11:09:45.913-05:00I can remember being taught how to use my first re...I can remember being taught how to use my first real machine in an afternoon and then being able to work relatively independently after that. Kids don't need a constant teacher hovering over them, but someone nearby to ask for help when they really need it.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-76390250326129681312015-12-12T11:07:38.663-05:002015-12-12T11:07:38.663-05:00It's so wonderful that you're teaching so ...It's so wonderful that you're teaching so many children how to sew on real machines. It's amazing what you can find at antique malls or even Ebay for not much money, and they are solid, workhorse machines that are so much better than the cheap plasticy machines for the same price!Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-6518580723415076052015-12-12T11:05:56.706-05:002015-12-12T11:05:56.706-05:00I'm now looking into the old handcrank toy mac...I'm now looking into the old handcrank toy machines just for fun. They USED to be built so wonderfully...Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-3449432837455463952015-12-12T11:05:21.178-05:002015-12-12T11:05:21.178-05:00I would pass your old Kenmore to your grandaughter...I would pass your old Kenmore to your grandaughter because you're really familiar with how it sews and how to use it. For you, it really depends on what you love to do most and what new features you're interested in playing with. I love my Juki Exceed F400 which retails for around $800.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-68576599907648293082015-12-12T11:03:53.657-05:002015-12-12T11:03:53.657-05:00Absolutely! Finding the right height table / chair...Absolutely! Finding the right height table / chair can be an issue, but nothing beats a real machine.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-90571778437939183962015-12-12T11:02:55.404-05:002015-12-12T11:02:55.404-05:00Totally understandable Angela! No one wants their ...Totally understandable Angela! No one wants their kids to get hurt...but if we don't occasionally fall down how do we ever learn how to pick ourselves back up again? Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-27829726377278124652015-12-12T10:51:25.565-05:002015-12-12T10:51:25.565-05:00I forgot to add that the sewing speed can always b...I forgot to add that the sewing speed can always be adjusted to very slow even if you do it by putting something under the foot pedal.Pamela Arbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14569469653776976453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-43230621249505924852015-12-12T10:49:10.035-05:002015-12-12T10:49:10.035-05:00I had a toy sewing machine which I thoroughly enjo...I had a toy sewing machine which I thoroughly enjoyed. I made my doll clothes with it, but it was a solidly built toy Singer sewing machine. It had a hand crank and I loved it.<br /><br />HOWEVER, I bought my first two granddaughters a children's sewing machine and I think it was even a singer, battery operated and it was a piece of junk. I would never consider one of those today. I think some of the cheaper machines would be perfect for a child to learn on. Like any other activity our children engage in, we should always be close at hand to help and assure their safety at all times. I WOULD NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER TOY SEWING MACHINE!!! Thanks for creating this post!Pamela Arbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14569469653776976453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-84713279140606981442015-12-12T10:20:01.389-05:002015-12-12T10:20:01.389-05:00Wow! I soooo agree with everything you wrote! A Si...Wow! I soooo agree with everything you wrote! A Singer featherweight might be a good machine for a kid to start with. They're small, they stitch like a dream, and they don't break the bank. <br /><br />Thanks for your sensible post. elnorachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14624811606719219907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-24248630553176524792015-12-12T09:55:14.108-05:002015-12-12T09:55:14.108-05:00I love this post. My mom was a scaredy-cat mom wh...I love this post. My mom was a scaredy-cat mom who gasped and jumped at everything we did. Luckily my dad gave us tools and let us go at it. I'm still the kind of person who would rather do it and fail a few times even if there are bumps along the way. I try my best to do with with my kids. Although I do have a little of that jump and gasp that my mom had. Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11174406828215969137noreply@blogger.com