Best Sewing Machines for Kids and Teenagers

All sewing machines aren’t made for everyone. Some sewing machines are specifically designed for professionals, some of them are designed for intermediates, and others are made for beginners. There are several sewing machines on the market that are great for kids and teenagers!

I’ve handled some pretty tough machines and I wouldn’t recommend them to someone inexperienced. If you have a child who loves to sew, then introduce them to kid-friendly sewing machines. You wouldn’t want them to get their hands on a Brother HC1850 or a Janome JW8100 because they’re too advanced and complex.

Most kid-friendly sewing machines are a little on the cheaper side. You don’t have to purchase an expensive one for your children to enjoy themselves. Beginner sewing machines are also very easy to find!

Why Should I Buy A Kid-Friendly Sewing Machine?

I’ll narrow down the reasons why: Generally, larger sewing machines come with lots of internal and external parts (small and big ones). Most children won’t know what all of those parts are, how they function, and how to use them. Since this is the case, the sewing machine will confuse them.

Another reason why you’ll want to purchase a beginner’s sewing machine is to ensure your child’s safety. Don’t get me wrong–sewing machines can be a heap of fun; however, if a child doesn’t know what they’re doing, then they can and will hurt themselves. Always keep in mind that your child will be working with sharp needles.

If your child aspires to sew in the future, then buying them a beginner’s sewing machine would be a good start. Don’t give them something challenging to sew with at first. Let them progress with time and work their way up!

Here are some of the sewing machines that are best for your children and teenagers that want to learn sewing.

Best Sewing Machines for Kids & Teenagers

1.) Brother XM 2701

The Brother XM2701comes with 27 built-in stitches, automatics sitch options, extra presser feet, and several other great features. If your child likes portable sewing machines, then they’ll love this one.

The machine is also quite cheap. Running into expensive prices while shopping for a sewing machine can be frustrating, especially when you’re not sure it’s something your child will use for a long time, as children can be quite finicky with their desires. Before you spend money on a pricey machine, I’m sure you’d want to weigh all of your options first. Most intermediate and beginner sewing machines costs between $300.00 and $500.00. This sewing machine will save you a pretty penny–compared to a lot of other sewing machines. And it provides great value- has a lot of great features for its relatively inexpensive price.

Storage and easy transportation may be one of the best features. You don’t have to worry about sore arms and legs. I won’t say that the XM2701 is light as a feather, but it most definitely lighter than most sewing machines. This is great because your children may want to carry their own machines around. No worries–this one isn’t heavy at all. If you have a crowded closet or shelf, then there’s good news: this sewing machine can fit in tight spaces. Making room for it shouldn’t be a major problem.

Pros:

• It’s inexpensive
• Beginner-friendly
• Excellent for first-time projects
• Lightweight
• Great for storage

Cons:

• The foot pedal is a little hard to work (it may run a bit faster than a child can handle; you may have to assist them until they get used to it)
• It doesn’t come with a hard case
• Tougher fabrics are harder to sew
• The bobbin can slip out from time to time

2.) Brother Project Runway CS5055PRW

One of the most functional, easy, and smooth-running sewing machines is the Brother project Runway CS5055PRW. Your child will have an amazing time with the 50 built-in stitches. This sewing machine will give them the chance to show their creative sides.

I love crafting quilts and other big sewing crafts. This is exactly what the Brother project Runway was made for! If you want to get the most out of this sewing machine, then also do bigger sewing projects with it. Try teaching your children how to quilt–I bet they’ll love it too!

The needle plate markings are great for children. Considering that this may be their first time sewing, they’re going to need guidance. Needle plate markings are perfect guiding tools for kids and teens. This will show them where to measure the fabric as they sew! I’m not the best measurer in the world, so I too could use a sewing machine with good needle plate markings. Stitch charts are also great guidance tools to utilize. Your child will need to where to locate the stitches and how to use them.

Pros:

• It works best with larger sewing projects
• Comes with needle plate markings and a stitch chart
• Has a 25-year warranty
• It’s a very affordable machine

Cons:

• The thread holder is plastic and isn’t very sturdy. It could potentially pop off in the middle of sewing.
• It doesn’t come with great automatic tension control

3.) Brother XM1010

This is another outstanding sewing machine for your little seamstress! It comes with 3 needles, four bobbins, a foot controller, darning plate, screwdriver, user manual, and a quick start guide–everything that they’ll need as a beginner!

Online support (or any kind of servicing support) is a must-have in sewing. Often times, things can go wrong and you’ll need to know how to get those problems resolved. Alongside Brother’s amazing sewing products, their customer service is amazing. They respond in a timely manner, they’re helpful and very knowledgeable about all products. No more hourly holds and long waits!

Everyone doesn’t think about jam resistance when they purchase a sewing machine. A good jam resistance system is very important. The Brother XM1010 has a great one! This is an awesome advantage for you because things inside of your sewing machine won’t get jammed. I’ve gotten needles, bobbins, and thread jammed inside of my sewing machine–and it’s one of the worse experiences ever. Jam resistance will also save you a support phone call. 

Pros:

• Portable
• Lightweight
• Adjustable thread tension
• Good jam-resistance
• Affordable price
• Great online support
• 25-year warranty

Cons:

• No off/on button
• No speed controller
• It doesn’t have an automatic needle threader

4.) Janome 2212

As I stated once before, many sewing machines can be very confusing. The Janome 2212 is the least perplexing and complicated sewing machine. I love this machine a lot because it can sew through tough fabric–see! Complex sewing machines aren’t always necessary.

Every sewing machine isn’t the same. Some are very easy to understand and others are extremely challenging to understand. In a way, working with complicated sewing machines is like trying to learn a foreign language. Think about every piece that makes up a sewing machine. Think about how all of those things work together. Now, think about the knowledge that you’ll need to understand your machine in depth. The Janome 2212 manual breaks everything down for you. So now, you don’t have to rip out your hair in irritation!

A lot of beginner sewing machines have a hard time sewing through tough materials. The Janome 2212 works fantastic with leather, silk, chiffon, tulle, and denim. Your children will be able to sew jeans and lightweight dresses without an issue. You don’t need a powerhouse sewing machine in order to work with challenging materials.

Pros:

• It’s simple to comprehend and use
• Affordable

Cons:

• Front-load bobbin box can be a hassle
• It doesn’t have an automatic needle threader

 

5.) Michely LSS-505

The Michely LSS-505 comes with 8 built-in stitches, double-threading, and two different speeds. Not all sewing machines come with two speed settings. This is pretty impressive!

Great working LED lights are a huge necessity that your child will need. The Michely LSS-505 LED lights work incredibly well! They’re bright and adjustable. Your child is going to need good lights so they can see what they’re working with. With these lights, your children won’t have to strain their eyes while trying to focus.

Running a sewing machine is kind of like driving a car. As a beginner, you have to slowly press your foot on the gas–but not too hard. The foot pedal on this sewing machine is very simple to use. Your child won’t feel uncomfortable (or the need to rush). Not only would this sewing machine be great for your child, but it’d be good for you as well (if you’d like to try it out)!

Pros:

• Comes with an easy threading process
• 8 built-in stitches
• 2 Speeds
• Bright LED light
• The foot pedal is very simple to use

Cons:

• Thread breaking is common
• The bobbin may get jammed

6.) Janome Arctic Crystal

The Janome Arctic Crystal is a lovely sewing machine. It would catch any child’s eye! It’s perfect for children because it has an adjustable stitch length, 4 presser feet, and a removable free arm.

There are two people in this world: people who throw away the sewing machine diagrams, and people who actually follow them. Unfortunately, I’m the first person–but you don’t have to be! The Janome Arctic Crystal comes with a handy machine diagram. It shows you the names of each component and where they’re located. Everything is easy to find. The featured manual also teaches you everything that you need to know.

Your child may want to sew with two pieces of thread at once–no problem! There are not one, but two threading spools at the top of this sewing machine. Choose your color of thread, sit them on the spool, and get to sewing!

Pros:

• Comes with easy-to-understand diagrams
• Comes with 2 vertical spool pins for double-threading
• Portable, lightweight, and it doesn’t shake while sewing

Cons:

• Front-loading bobbin system takes a long time to thread

7.) Singer Simple 3232

The Singer Simple 3232 sewing machine speaks for itself. It’s very simple to use and will help your child develop their sewing technique. I actually purchased this machine for myself a few years back–and I must say that it works exceptionally well!

A sewing machine with multiple stitch patterns is always a plus. It’ll give your child the leeway to experiment with different stitches. Basic stitches in straight lines can be boring–but with 32 built-in stitches, it shouldn’t be!

There’s another big thing that you should keep in mind–always look for versatile sewing machines. Look for something on the rare side of the spectrum. Search for something that’s different in every way possible. This will broaden your taste and style each time you go machine shopping!

Pros:

• Comes with awesome 32 built-in stitches
• The sewing machine alone is very versatile
• Compact and lightweight
• Great for beginners (doesn’t just apply to children)
• It’s reasonably priced (a very competitive sewing machine on the market)

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with features that most kids will enjoy
• Front-loading bobbin system is troubling
• The manual functions can be inconsistent

 

8.) Kranich Portable Sewing Machine

For a sewing machine with many featured parts, the Kranich portable sewing machine is very lightweight. It’s great for storage, won’t take up a lot of space, and can be easily transported.

Whether Christmas is right around the corner, you want to get your child a ‘just because you love them’ gift or they have an upcoming birthday, the Kranich sewing machine is a good option. You can find it on Amazon, Walmart, or the manufacturing website. This sewing machine has gotten lots of great reviews.

Aside from sewing machines with multiple stitches, you may also want one that’s multi-functional. This is another machine that can sew through tough material. Its portable feature makes the machine lightweight and easy to carry around. It’s also great for traveling.

Pros:

• Portable
• Very easy to use
• Multi-functional
• A high-quality sewing machine
• A perfect gift for someone

Cons:

• No major downfalls

9.) Janome Fastlane Compact Machine

The bold hot pink color on this sewing machine is very pretty! If you have a daughter, then I guarantee that this one will be #1 on her list. The Janome Fastlane Compact machine is great for scrapbook projects!

Some sewing machines don’t come in multiple colors, but this one does! There’s a variety of sewing machines that your child will be able to choose from. To my knowledge, the Janome Compact machine comes in hot pink, blue, white, and purple.

This is another compact, durable, and lightweight machine. If you drop it, there may be some minor damages, but the machine itself is very sturdy (so the whole thing won’t just fall apart). The durability will also prevent you from getting your machine serviced–and we all know that sewing machine servicing isn’t cheap.

Pros:

• Compact, durable, and lightweight
• It comes in several colors
• Reasonably priced
• Comes with a 25-year limited warranty

Cons:

• It only uses one size of needles

10.) Luby Sewing Machine

This is a phenomenal sewing machine that was designed for beginners. The Luby sewing machine can sew 350 stitches per minute–that’s very good for a new seamstress! It includes all-purpose and buttonhole presser feet.

Sewing machines aren’t always simple to set up. You have to use your manual, diagram, and figure out where things fit. This can be a hassle if you’re not familiar with all the featured parts. The Luby sewing machine is very easy to assemble.

Like most of the sewing machines that I’ve mentioned, this one is also easy to use. It’s not complicated, frustrating, advanced, or intermediate. It’s perfect to get your tween on the right foot in sewing.

Pros:

• The Luby sewing machine is very easy to set up
• Easy to use
• Compact and portable

Cons:

• Some of the pieces are missing
• There are some issues with the bobbin
• The manual is a little confusing

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are some outstanding sewing machines available for your children. From multi-colored sewing machines all the way to portable machines, you’ll be able to find something that suits them. As stated before, please be sure to stay on top of your children’s safety. Finding the perfect sewing machine for your tween will play a major role in their sewing lifestyles!