Best sewing machines for kids (&beginners)

Is your little one asking for a sewing machine? How exciting! Here is a list of the machines I recommend the most, in a few price ranges.

But first;

5 tips on what to keep in mind when shopping for your first sewing machine.

  1. Look for a basic machine. For most projects we sew we only use 2 stitches - a straight stitch and a zig zag stich. No need to buy a machine with 400 different decorative stitches or embroidery designs.

  2. The machine should feel sturdy and a bit heavy when you pick it up. This means the insides of the machine are steel and not plastic.

  3. Easy to use - lots of buttons a dials will be confusing. Look for a simple & easy to use machine.

  4. Please stay away from small sewing machines targeted for kids, aka ‘kiddy machines’. They will not sew good and will not last.

  5. Buying a used machine is perfectly fine. Local stores such as Sew Vac Ltd in Long Beach are good places to look for a good used sewing machine.


#1: Janome JW8100

$280 (regular price $299) price may vary

This JANOME is my new (maybe) favorite sewing machine. I bought it recently to use in my YouTube sewing videos. First of all the price is great! Janome sewing machines are known as very good quality, affordable and long lasting basic sewing machines. I agree. They are nice and sturdy (if you lift one up you will feel the weight) and very easy to use. This model has also some nice advanced features which makes it a great machine to grow into. My favorite part? The little polka dot pin cushion that attaches to the top of the machine :-)

#2: BERNINA 330

$1399 (regular price $1899) price may vary

BERNINA is the high end top of the line brand of sewing machines. This is the brand I sewed on in college and I know these are the machines of choice for most of the fashion colleges and high schools around the area today. They. Will. Last. Forever. These are the machines I invested in for my sewing classes and they have not broken down once in the past 4 years I have had them. And we sew a lot! The model I have in class is 330 and this model featured is the 350 model which has more decorative stitches. Tip: if you find a used Bernina on sites like craigslist or similar you can’t go wrong!

#3: Bernette 35

$299 (regular price $349)

BERNETTE is like the little sister of Bernina. While not technically a Bernina, is quality controlled by Bernina and a very good sturdy machine. The only ‘mechanical’ machine on my list this is a very easy machine to control and use. Maybe a good option for a child who easily gets distracted by fancy buttons on an electronic machine? I have not personally used this one but researching mechanical machines this one kept popping up. (a mechanical machine is a machine with knobs you turn to switch a stitch, on an electronic machine you press a button to choose a stitch or a different setting)

Update: 12/1/2020: The Bernette 35 is currently on sale at Sew Vac Ltd in Long Beach. Special price for my students $299 plus tax. (Not affiliated just my favorite store for machines)



Hope that helps! As I test new machines I will add them to the list. Happy shopping!

Please let me know in the comments below which machine you ended up buying and how your little one is doing with it! I can’t wait to hear!

Ms. Camilla