What to look for in the Best Sewing Machine for Kids

What to look for in the Best Sewing Machine for Kids

Let’s look at some of the features and functions that you might see as you research the best sewing machine for kids.

If you are completely new to sewing and want to learn more about the parts of a sewing machine, Google has a lot of great videos and articles.

Built-in Stitches: Is More Better?

First, let’s take a look at what built-in stitches are: They are stitches that are programmed into the sewing machine making it easy for the user to simply select the type of stitch he or she would like to use. Obviously the more built-in stitches a machine offers, the more choices one has, but are they necessary? 

Typically speaking for a beginner user, a machine with as few as 10 built-in stitches is adequate. However, as your child becomes more creative and begins to use more complicated fabrics such as lace or jersey in their handicrafts, then having more built-in stitches will be a benefit to their creativity.

A word here about stitch functions. Sometimes you will see a sewing machine advertised with 10 built-in stitches and 25 stitch functions. What does that mean? It means that within the 10 built-in stitch options, functions of each stitch may be adjustable such as the length, width, and tension, therefore effectively creating more than just 10 types of stitching. For the purposes of the best sewing machine for beginners (considering kids beginners), I only compare the number of built-in stitches.

Bobbin Loading: Front Load vs Drop-In

There are two types of bobbin systems: a front loading bobbin system and a drop-in (otherwise known as top loading) bobbin system. Is one better or easier than the other? It seems to come down to a matter of opinion, although the consensus seems to be moving towards preferring the drop-in system for kids that are beginning to learn to sew.

Here are the main differences between the two: The majority of sewing machines with the drop-in system use plastic bobbins, whereas most front loading machines use metal bobbins. The main benefit to a metal bobbin is that it holds more thread than their plastic counterparts, therefore a child can sew longer without having to stop and change the bobbin. 

If stopping to change the bobbin is necessary, it can be changed on a front loading machine without having to remove the sewing project. With a drop-in system, the project will have to be removed from the machine if the bobbin thread runs out. 

A benefit to the drop-in system is that it is easy to see how much thread is left on the bobbin simply by peering through the clear piece of plastic. You can see why this is a matter of opinion! I personally think young beginner sewers benefit from easily checking their bobbin through the clear plastic of the drop-in system.

What does “Free Arm” mean?

A sewing machine that has a free arm basically has a piece of molding that slides off of the base. Once off it becomes easier to manipulate the fabric when sewing tube-shaped pieces such as sleeves, and pant legs. As a bonus, that piece of molding usually has the capability to store extra sewing feet, needles, and bobbins. Most portable sewing machines have this feature for free arm sewing, and every machine I’ve compared for the best sewing machine for kids has one.

What are “Feed Dogs”?

And why are they important to consider when buying a sewing machine? Feed dogs, or feed dog segments, are rows of metal “teeth” on the base of the sewing machine underneath the presser foot that help pull or “feed” the fabric through the machine while sewing. They are important to consider because generally, the higher number of feed dogs on a machine, the more precision and control your child will have while sewing.

Is an Automatic Threader Necessary?

An automatic needle threader can be a great feature to have on your child’s sewing machine, but it’s certainly not necessary. In fact, the benefit from the automatic part only comes at the final step of putting the thread through the eye of the needle. 

All the preceding steps to threading the machine have to be done manually (and it’s not difficult!). I have included this feature in my comparison chart for the best sewing machine for kids, but don’t let it be a deal breaker if your favorite sewing machine doesn’t have it.

4-step vs 1-step Buttonholes

Just like the name says, the 4-step buttonhole takes four steps to complete. It involves the child turning the dial to the next step after the machine stops stitching each part. It’s something that your kids can learn after you show them a few times. The 1-step buttonhole, however, obviously only takes one step. In my opinion, the 1-step buttonhole provides a nicer looking result than the 4-step.

How many pounds does the sewing machine weigh?

Will it be lightweight enough for your kids to handle or will you need to help them carry it because it is too heavy? The machines I review for the best sewing machine for kids are not the smaller, compact, mini machines, but rather full-size machines. I list the weight of the machines in the chart below.

What about Computerized Sewing Machines?

Most beginner sewing machines are the type with knobs and dials that you plug into the wall. The knobs and dials are used to select the type of stitch and to adjust stitch length and width. These types of sewing machines may or may not have features such as the automatic needle threader.

Computerized sewing machines let the user choose stitches and adjust stitch length and width via settings on an LCD display. Typically computerized sewing machines offer more built-in stitches and a variety of buttonholes. 

They are not always more expensive than their electronic and mechanical counterparts and I have included two Brother computerized sewing machines in the comparison chart for the best sewing machine for kids.