How to Buy a Sewing Machine for a Beginner (focused on kids, but works for adults too!)
Ahh, the Holidays.
The air gets crisp, the Halloween decor gets tucked away again (“how did I fit this &*%#@ skeleton in this box last year?!”) and a certain Mariah Carey song begins it’s endless repeat cycle for the next 1.5 months. Everyone casually forgets about Thanksgiving until we have to figure out how big of Turkey we have to buy (“is 20lbs too much for 5 people?”) Also, if you’re the parent of a small child, so begin the “lists.”
Already this past week some of the kids in our Old Spool After School classes started telling me what they’re asking for on Santa’s Big Day. Amongst all the high tech devices they hope for I am always happy to hear the ones who tell me they’re asking for a sewing machine to use at home, which gets the most excited response from Patrick and I. It’s also followed with the reminder that “sewing machines are a Big Thing to ask for” because I know the reality behind every Christmas gift list that’s been written down and revised: Grownups who are wondering how to make it all work and give the kids in their lives a happy, love filled holiday.
Here at Old Spool we are Authorized Baby Lock Sewing Machine Dealers and we carry this brand in our shop because we really believe in the quality and ease of use of their sewing machines. Together with Baby Lock, our team will be here to support you along every stitch of your (or your kiddo’s) sewing journey! Some more exciting news: beginning in 2025, Patrick will be a certified Baby Lock technician, which means if there is ever an issue with your machine you know exactly who will be able to solve it for you.
Before we begin, I would like to remind you that sewing is a skill that takes a lot of practice, patience and problem solving. When your child is sewing with us in class we prioritize them having fun, which means we are there to show them exactly how to do things and we help them fix all of their mistakes, which happen regularly.
A good place to start before you purchase a machine for your child is to ask yourself if you’re willing to try and troubleshoot with them at home (when their teachers are not there) because they may face challenges that discourage them and turn them off of sewing, which will actually break my [Julia’s] heart into a million little pieces.
First up, we sew on the Baby Lock Jubilant here in our classroom and that’s the machine all of our students become familiar with while they take classes with us.
We love the Jubilant for all of its beginner friendly features that prioritize ease of use, which is huge for anyone who’s learning to sew. It has a quick set bobbin winder and quick set top drop in bobbin, both which make setting up the machine simpler than competitors’. The automatic needle threader is truly automatic (unlike other brands who claim to have the same, but they are anything but automatic!) and being a computerized model means that there is speed control and a reminder *beep* when students need to be reminded to lower their presser foot before sewing. Believe me, as sewing teachers, these features make such a difference!
Highlights of the Jubilant:
- Computerized, so has plenty of beginner friendly reminders and features to make it easier on newbies.
- 80 stitches, including 50 utility and 30 decorative stitches.
- Quick set drop in bobbin and quick set bobbin winding.
- Truly automatic needle threader and backstitch functions.
- Will sew anything their heart desires.
Next up is what we call our “budget friendly” model: the Baby Lock Joy. This cutie is a mechanical machine so it does not have a computer like the Jubilant does, which means it lacks speed control, the reminder beep for the presser foot and a quick set bobbin. But it does have an all metal chassis, which means it is not only built better than other machines at it’s price point, it is also quieter- which is helpful for a kid who may have to do their sewing in a communal space at home. It also has a top drop in bobbin, which is what students are most familiar with at the shop and is best for beginners.
The Joy does not have a quick set drop in bobbin like the Jubilant does, which will be the biggest difference for our students when they set this machine up to sew: there is a step that the Jubilant allows us to skip that they will have to practice, but with patience they will totally nail it!
Highlights of the Joy:
- All metal chassis, quieter and built better than competitors
- Mechanical, so simple to adjust the settings and operate
- 19 different stitches
- Will sew anything you want, from 6 layers of denim to a hem on a dress. Or, the stuffed animals your kids always want to make!
Finally, I’d like to offer up a “dream machine” for our students here at the shop: the Baby Lock Aurora Sewing and Embroidery machine. Not only does this computerized machine give you decorative stitches, speed control and a quick set top drop in bobbin like the Jubilant does, you can add custom embroidery designs to your creations!
Highlights of the Aurora:
- 303 built in embroidery designs, with the ability to add more via WIFI or a USB flash drive.
- 191 decorative stitches
- 13 embroidery fonts
- Automatic thread cutting feature.
- All the other amazing beginner features the Jubilant has, such as a quick set top drop in bobbin, quick set bobbin winding, a truly automatic needle threader… and more!
Beginner friendly features that make a difference for your kid, in order of importance:
- Quick Set Top Drop in Bobbin. One of the most important features for kids, even if you don’t know what that means. This makes the set up process much easier so they can get to the sewing part!
- Speed Control. Kids don’t know how to drive so they have no concept of slow, and sewing is not a race.
- A computerized machine that will not sew if the presser foot is up.
To wrap things up, please don’t think I am saying that you have to spend a lot of money on a sewing machine. Having an expensive tool isn’t necessary when we are learning, but having the right tool that performs as we expect it to absolutely is. More so, I’m asking you to take a moment to consider what the best choice is for your child to make sure sewing is a hobby they continue to enjoy and build their skills/confidence doing as opposed to having an experience that discourages them from trying it on their own. I would be happy to give my honest opinion on which machine I think your child would benefit from if you are not sure- just send me an email!
Sometimes it may just take a few minutes of your time to help them troubleshoot, even if you need to read the manual to help them out. Trust me, you can do it! It’s the most important to us that even if your kids don’t grow up to be master tailors that they have happy memories and an appreciation for this skill we are sharing with them.
Once you have their sewing machine all sorted, every year I sell a Beginner Sewing Tool Kit that includes all the basic tools they need to get started. I have other fun giftables in the store, too, like value packs of good thread (please don’t buy the cheap stuff on Am*zon, it breaks!) plenty of fabric, or an Old Spool Sewing gift card is also a great way to let them come shop the fabric and tools on their own!