Teaching my teenage daughter to use the sewing machine as early as possible has been a dream of mine. I would love to pass on all my knowledge as a seamstress so that someday, she can continue my legacy. Of course, I didn't want to overwhelm her with a top-end sewing machine so I went around looking for the best and safest sewing machines for beginners like her.
Safest Kids Sewing Machines in the Market Today
1. Janome Sew Mini 3128 Sewing Machine
The Janome Sew Mini 3128 sewing machine is one of the best mini sewing machines out there. It is hardy and is very easy to use. It is perfect for a young lady like my daughter since it has sliders to slow down the speeds and offers lots of stitches. In fact, some are perfect for knitting fabrics. I want to teach her how to make T-shirts or other handy, stretchy things to wear so this machine will perform nicely. It's also relatively inexpensive at $149 and it is well-regarded by other buyers in Amazon. The product was given an impressive 4.2/5 rating.
2. Singer Start 1304
Singer Start 1304 is another user-friendly mini sewing kid that is highly recommended for teens. It comes with an excellent user-friendly manual and this will make it easier for my daughter to learn to thread the needle and bobbin and troubleshoot as well. Also, It has ample stitch speed, a reverse lever, and bright LED lighting which are key components to a sewing machine's safeness grade. It has a price tag of $160 in Amazon and has garnered an impressive 4.1/5 rating from 1,021 buyers.
3. UTEN AGM Portable Sewing Machine
Since my daughter is also the outgoing type, I figured this machine will also be nice for her. The UTEN AGM portable sewing machine is best known for its efficiency in repairing backpacks, tents, and other camping equipment. Hey, might come in handy someday, right? It's also good for stitching together fabrics that are thick and is definitely an issue for some smaller sewing machines. So if you're planning to teach your kid specifically in these lines, then this one is for you. It is currently rated 3.4/5 in Amazon.
4. Michley LSS-505 Lil' Sew & Sew
If you're a bit tight on budget, I suggest the Michley LSS-505 Lil' Sew & Sew. It is currently sold for $56.21 in Amazon and has a 3.1/5 rating from 1,680 buyers. What I like best about this machine is its “no-oil” feature, making it a lot easier to maintain. Also, the tension can be freely adjusted thanks to the dial in front of the machine. I can't stress enough the importance of this feature since we don't want our kids to go out of control while in the process of sewing. Lastly, it has a twin needle capacity feature.
5. KPCB Mini Sewing Machine
Here's another budget-friendly mini sewing machine and what makes it ideal even for kids is its size. It also has a built-in thread cutter and lamp for easy sewing. Customers over at Amazon commend this machine for being able to cut a wide variety of fabric. It is rated with an average score of 3.9/5. I think it is safe to say that this is one of, if not the best sewing machines for kids and teens.
6. APlus+ Portable Mini Sewing Machine
Here's another machine that is compact in size and lightweight. It is so portable that your kid can place it anywhere he/she is comfortable with. The machine also has a nice reputation for repairing torn clothes and making alterations to clothes with light fabric. It is a great machine to start with for newbies and amateurs. Moreover, it is pre-threaded and is ready from the get-go, so no assembly or setup is needed.
7. NEX Portable Mini Sewing Machine
NEX Sewing Machine is another ideal pick for beginners. It has plenty of speed options to ensure the safety of your child while sewing. It also has a built-in light bulb which is perfect for efficiency and area illumination while working. For me, these features are just hard to ignore. The sewing machine also comes with a foot pedal. The machine has a 3.6/5 rating in Amazon.
8. Brother XR9550PRW Computerized Sewing Machine
The Brother Sewing XR9550PRW computerized sewing machine is another quality pick in the beginner's sewing machines department. This machine offers 110 unique built-in stitches and features eight styles of buttonholes. There's also a large LCD screen that enables you to make computerized stitch selection. You can also enable free arm ability for sewing cuffs and sleeves efficiently. Lastly, the presser foot can be raised to your preferred position for the utmost comfort and easy positioning of your project. It is available in Amazon for $175 and has an impressive customer rating of 4.4/5.
9. Singer 3223R Handy Sewing Machine
The Singer 3223R handy sewing machine comes with a variety of features that include 23 built-in stitches, seven stretches, nine decorative, one automatic, and a 4-Step Buttonhole. The stitch length and width is fully adjustable and the stitch does not clump on the fabric while sewing. It's also very user-friendly as the threading instructions are embedded on the machine for easy instructions while threading. It has a fast stitching speed, able to stitch 1,100-stitches-per-minute. It also has an automatic needle threaded feature which not only saves time but provides efficient stitching as well. It has a nice 4.2/5 customer rating in Amazon and is sold for $106.67.
10. Brother XM2701 Full-Featured Sewing Machine
The Brother XM2701 Lightweight is another portable and user-friendly machine recommended for beginners. In terms of functionality, it has 63 stitch functions, comes with 27 unique built-in stitches, and has a quick-change sewing feet.
Other noteworthy features include jam-resistant top drop-in bobbin and a nicely lit LED attached so you'll have maximum efficiency in a work area that will require clearer eyesight. This machine has lots of positive feedback from its users in Amazon, averaging an excellent 4.6/5 customer rating. You can buy it for $85.
Finding the safest and best sewing machine is easy thanks to recommendations online. What's more, I realized that mini sewing machines are great for beginners since they are easy to maneuver and have user-friendly features. Now, my teenage daughter has started her own projects and I couldn't be happier with her output. What can I say, like mother like daughter, I guess?
Here's another list of best mini sewing machines for teens courtesy of Ezvid Wiki:
What do you think is the best sewing machine for teens in the list above? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Do not buy a mini or child size machine. Get a full size good second hand machine from a dealer for your child to learn to sew. They will out grow a child machine so fast that you might as well spend the money on a good basic full size machine.
I agree with Ruth. I bought each of my two granddaughters their own Singer machine, model #4432. It’s heavy duty and will last for years.
I also agree with Ruth.
And I agree! I bought my granddaughter a regular sewing machine a year ago. Now, at 14, she’s designing costumes and experimenting with fashion design. Not everything has worked, but she’s learning. My grandmother and great grandmother were both costume designers for Broadway in NYC. The legacy continues.
I also agree,I bought my granddaughter a Janome for about $200 and she is making Cosplay costumes, and easy garments and loves it. She even altered her own bridesmaid dress as store wanted $50 to do it !!!!! It looked GREAT !
I agree with Ruth, when I was 11 or 12 I learned to sew on my mom’s sewing machine.