Children can easily pick up new skills and sewing is no exception; you’ll be amazed at how quickly your child will take to sewing. If you’ve started off teaching some basic hand stitches, a machine is a natural next step that will allow them to learn yet another crafty skill.
Choosing a kid's sewing machine can be a tricky job as there are so many with varying features. As with sewing machines for adults, there are many things to consider when purchasing a kid's sewing machine.
How easy will it be to use, its list of stitches and extra features, its price (most important for the adults) and colour (most important for the child!).
If you've got a younger child there are some great children's sewing machines on the market with colourful designs and simple-to-use stitch options that they'll be able to handle easily.
We’ve put together this handy round-up of top kids' sewing machines to help you purchase a machine your child will treasure.
Don't miss our buyer's guide for what to look for when buying sewing machines for kids!
Edited 19/11/24 to ensure pricing and product availability is up to date
10 of the best sewing machines for kids 2024
1. Sew Amazing Sewing Machine Studio with Accessories
Best complete starter set
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This award-winning starter machine and kit will support younger makers in sewing their own clothes and simple projects. It has large, clear buttons, a simple layout and a finger safety guard.
You get full instructions, so it's hassle-free to set up and great to learn on. Your mini-maker can adjust the stitch length, speed, and backstitch just as you like.
This is a handy machine if you want a complete starter set for sewing. It comes with a cute kit that includes scissors, a tape measure, spare needles, metal bobbins, thread reels, and assorted fabrics.
Although the Sew Amazing machine isn't currently available in the US, the Sew Crazy model is a great choice, and they are similar!
We also have a variety of sewing and craft kits for kids, which make great introductions to the world of sewing.
Pros:
- Small machine - won't take up too much space
- Comes with a sewing kit
- Highly-reviewed
Cons:
- Not as powerful as some machines
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2. Brother LS14S Sewing machine
Best trusty machine
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Brother is one of the most trusted brands of sewing machines on the market for a reason; the LS14S is a trustworthy first sewing machine that's simple to use and will last for years. It offers an easy-to-thread drop-in bobbin and 14 stitch options.
There is no need to select width and length with this machine, simply turn the dial for a longer or wider stitch. This will help children get used to the idea of stitch length and width without intimidating buttons.
This will also be a handy machine to make quick mends to school uniforms or stitch Brownie/Scout badges in place!
Unfortunately, the LS14S isn't currently available in the US, but we've included a link to the SM1400 which is a great alternative.
Pros:
- Trusted brand
- Powerful and sturdy
- 14 stitch options
Cons:
- Not as portable as some
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Looking for more sewing inspiration?
Check out our guide to the latest series on The Great British Sewing Bee.
3. Cool Maker Sew Cool Sewing machine for kids
Best for younger kids
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Little makers will love this first sewing machine – it's a great option if your child isn't yet ready to thread needles and mess around with thread tension.
Designed to be easy for the youngest sewing fans to try, it works without thread, so it’s always safe and easy for kids to use.
It's been designed to offer foot pedals, bobbins and needles to help kids feel like they're using a grown-up version and comes ready to make 5 pre-cut projects – a keychain, pen holder, flower, pouch and stuffed kitty. Printed markings show children where to sew.
If you have an older teenage child, you might want to skip straight to our round-up for the best sewing machines for beginners.
Pros:
- Ideal for young kids
- Comes with pre-made designs
- Safe and easy to use
Cons:
- More like a toy
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Check out our brand-new shop!
Looking for more inspirational projects? Head over to the Gathered shop where you can find a huge range of beautiful patterns by all your favourite yarn and needlework designers.
4. Singer Simple 3223 Sewing machine
Best for older kids
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There are a few essential things you need for a children's sewing machine. It needs to be easy to thread and choose your stitch, but with a few options to support them in learning sewing skills as they go.
The Singer Simple 3223 is a great first sewing machine, ticking all these boxes. It offers 23 built-in stitches and adjustable stitch length to support younger makers in growing their love of sewing.
It even has a handy automatic buttonhole function to help them learn to make their own clothes.
Pros:
- Trusted brand
- 23 stitches, plus a buttonhole function
- Will last for years
Cons:
- Heavier than some other models
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5. Barbie Sewing machine and doll playset
Best for Barbie lovers
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If you have a pink fan in the family who's aged 8 or over, this could be the starter sewing machine of their dreams. Get kids sewing clothes for their dolls with this bright and simple kids' machine.
It even comes with a Barbie and her runway to help mini-makers stage their own fashion shows. It's a nice touch that the needle comes with a protective cover to protect your child's hands. It measures 120mm x 335mm x 360mm.
Pros:
- Portable
- Make clothes for included Barbie doll
- Comes with a mini sewing kit
Cons:
- More like a toy
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Brush up your sewing skills
You might also like our guides on how to use a sewing machine.
6. Singer Tradition 2250NT
Best for teenagers
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This beginner's sewing machine is great for teenage makers who want to get into dressmaking and small homeware or accessory projects.
The bobbin is front loading, so it will be great for children to learn how to insert a bobbin case into a machine. Tension, stitch length and stitch width are controlled by simple dials, as are the stitches.
This is a nifty first machine to learn the basics of threading and sewing and will last for years until your budding maker is ready to level up to a computerised next-level machine.
Pros:
- Ideal for teens
- Trusted brand
- Sturdy and powerful
Cons:
- More expensive
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8. KPCB Sewing machine for beginners
Best budget kids sewing machine
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We've included some of our favourite trusted brands in this round-up but there's also a place for trying out lesser-known brands if you're just looking for a simple starter machine for budding makers in the family.
This nifty little machine is a nice one to try for beginners. It's a multi-purpose sewing machine with fabric and supplies to make a zipper pouch, plus all the easy features a beginner needs.
It has features such as reverse sewing to start and end your lines of sewing to 12 stitches including straight lines, zig-zags and buttonholes.
Pros:
- Reverse sewing function
- Comes with supplies to make a zipper pouch
- Portable size
Cons:
- Not as powerful as some
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9. Sewing machine with folding extension table
Best for quilting
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The foldout extension table on this mini sewing machine makes it great practice for quilting! It also has an LED lamp, thread cutter, high and low-speed button, as well as a foot pedal port.
It's great value at under £30, but it's a lightweight option for ultimate beginners to decide whether sewing is their cup of tea!
Pros:
- Great value
- Extension table
- Lamp and optional foot pedal
Cons:
- Very lightweight and not very sturdy.
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10. Magicfly Mini Sewing Machine
Best value machine and kit
The MagicFly mini portable sewing machine is sadly unavailable in the UK, but for kids in the States, it's a must-have! We love the delightful pink and teal colour combo, but it's also available in white and purple, or turquoise and black.
It comes with a sewing kit, which includes bobbins, thread, scissors, measuring tape, needles, thimble, needle threader, and seam ripper. It also comes with an extension table, foot pedal, and storage bag - which we think is exceptional value!
Pros:
- Great value
- Comes with sewing kit and accessories
- Fantastic colour combinations
Cons:
- Not available in the UK
- Not as sturdy as a more expensive Brother or Singer
Sewing pattern ideas for kids
Now that you've got your kids sewing machine ordered it's time to look at some simple patterns for them to make. We have hundreds of free sewing patterns on our website but here's three of our easiest projects that are perfect for children.
Fabric hearts
Children's sewing machines are designed for simple projects and our fabric heart tutorial is just that. Let your kids choose their favourite fabric, sew up these hearts and then hang them as bunting in their room.
Velcro wallets
Keep pocket money safe with our Velcro wallet tutorial. This project would also make great gifts for their friends! Just get their kid's sewing machine and materials set up then get them to stitch away.
Pinwheels
Finally, get them feeling creative with these easy DIY pinwheels. They'll need some supervision but our step-by-step tutorial breaks down every stage simply so that they can become sewing stars.
What to look for when buying a kids sewing machine
Mechanical or computerised?
Some sewing machines for kids have a screen where you can select stitches and their width/length - this is a computerised machine. If the same features are operated by dials then this is a mechanical machine.
Stitch range
The basic stitches that you will need on any machine are straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, lightning stitch (for sewing stretch fabrics) and buttonhole stitch capability (if you plan on sewing buttonholes!). Blind hem stitch and edge finishing stitches are useful but not essential. Machines with 50+ stitches are unnecessary for children (and most adults!).
Design
Children (and lots of adults!) will be drawn to a machine that has a design featuring their favourite colour but it’s important to not let this sway a decision. A plain machine might have more features for the same cost.
Price
While price will be a big deciding factor it’s important to not instantly opt for the cheapest machine available. Do your research and then shop around!
Suitability for children
When deciding which sewing machine for kids to buy think about your child's age and attention span. Machines with more advanced functions are better suited to older children/teenagers or to children who have a strong interest in sewing and will enjoy learning about all of the features. For children who just want to dive in, a simpler machine will be best suited.
Safety features
Several features are available that can make a machine safer for children to use, being able to control the speed of the machine using a slider (not simply the foot pedal as it is easy to slip when applying pressure!). Finger guards are another common feature on children’s sewing machines but again these are best suited to young children, teenagers should be able to get by without a finger guard.
Still looking for a machine yourself? Check out our guide to the best computerized sewing machines or our guide to the best overlockers.
Find the best kids' sewing machines
As with choosing a grown-up sewing machine, there's lots to consider when buying kids' machines. In particular, they need to be easy to use and the right size for little hands.
Look for kid-friendly safety features such as finger guards, stitches that aren't too advanced for their age group, and a good balance of price and functionality.
We hope our guide has helped you find the perfect machine to start them on a lifelong sewing journey!
Teach them to sew with Gathered
Help your little one discover a new hobby and encourage their creativity with our round-up of the best sewing projects for kids.
