Sewing is one of those basic life skills that a lot of us didn’t realize we needed until we first moved out of our parents’ house and ripped a hole through our favorite sweater. If you’re hoping to do better by the next generation and teach your kids to sew early, then you’re going to need a machine. But what’s the best sewing machine for kids? We’ve compiled a list of the seven best sewing machines for kids so you can enjoy less bargain-hunting and more quality time with your family.
Our Top Picks: Best Sewing Machine for Kids
Short on time? Here are the highlights:
- Best Overall: Brother XM2701. Twenty-seven built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbins, and free-arm capability… What’s not to love?
- Best Runner-Up: Singer 1304. The name brand you know and love, with the features newbie sewers need to get started with confidence!
- Best Budget: KPCB Mini. Made from eco-friendly materials and at an unbeatable price, this machine is perfect for kids with cursory sewing daydreams.
- Best for Beginners: NEX Professional. This machine balances the fancy features of the Brother and Singer with a price point more suited to true beginners.
- Most Built-In Stitches: Singer 3232. If you’re looking for versatility, how does 32 stitches and 110 stitch applications sound?
- Best Accessories: Brother XM1010. With four sewing feet, four bobbins, three needles, and an instructional DVD, this machine comes with everything you and your kid need to get started on a new sewing adventure!
- Most Color Choices: Janome Fastlane. All the features of a beginner sewing machine in nine fun color combinations!
1. Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
The best kids sewing machine overall.
Manufacturer: Brother | Weight: 12.6 lbs. | Stitches: 27 | Speed: 800 Stitches Per Minute | Price: 💰💰💰
With over 10,000 5-star reviews and a whopping 27 built-in stitches, the Brother XM2701 brings home our “best overall” award, hands-down.
The automatic needle threader and automatic drop-in top bobbin take the frustration out of the most challenging steps of sewing, ensuring first-time sewers don’t get too overwhelmed before they get the chance to get started. A simple stitch dial and chart with visual representations of each stitch option makes selection easy. Your child can learn the ins and outs of multiple stitch methods, or pick their favorite for their next project! With free-arm compatibility, they can enjoy more flexibility with the kinds of materials and garments they can work with, making the world their oyster.
Reviewers Like
- Auto-threading and anti-jam, drop-in bobbin compartment
- Incredible price for a professional-quality sewing machine designed for beginners
- Includes all the accessories you need to get started, like an instructional DVD with step-by-step demonstrations!
Reviewers Dislike
- Much heavier than a lot of other “children’s” sewing machines
- Relatively expensive for kids who may or may not be interested in sewing long-term
2. Singer Start 1304 Sewing Machine
The best kids sewing machine runner-up
Manufacturer: Singer | Weight: 9.8 lbs. | Stitches: 6 | Speed: 350 – 400 Stitches Per Minute | Price: 💰💰💰💰
While Brother’s XM2701 won our “best overall” award, we couldn’t resist featuring a runner-up. Singer is perhaps one of the most well-known brands of sewing machines, and the only real reason the Start 1304 didn’t make first place is that the price is a bit higher, and it only comes with 6 stitches. Those stitches cover all the basics, though, so don’t let that sway you! This machine comes with plenty of accessories, a heavy-duty metal frame that manages to weigh in at less than 10 pounds, and all the features you could ask for in a beginner’s sewing machine.
Reviewers Like
- Compact design with heavy-duty metal interior
- Tension holds across multiple uses and doesn’t have to be adjusted every time
- Bonus features like free-arm capability, integrated sewing light, and automatic bobbin winding
Reviewers Dislike
- The price is even more out of range for kids with fickle interests
- Some reviewers noted that the presser foot level is plastic rather than more durable metal
3. KPCB Mini Sewing Machine
The best kids sewing machine on a budget
Manufacturer: KPCB | Weight: 2 lbs. | Stitches: 1 | Speed: Low & High | Price: 💰
Got a small human in your life that’s interested in sewing? If you’re concerned their interest won’t last long thanks to ever-shrinking attention spans, then you need a quality sewing machine at a price you won’t regret when they move on to a new hobby. Enter KPCB’s mini sewing machine. The plastic shell may feel cheap, but this little machine is still durable enough to handle the less-than-delicate abuse from children.
While this machine wins our “best on a budget” award, it also takes home our “green” award for being the most eco-friendly! Typically, we’d have separate recommendations for these two categories, but this sewing machine was the winner by far in both. So, you can save some money, and save the planet, all at once!
Reviewers Like
- Eco-friendly materials you can buy with a clear conscience
- Included extension table and cuff slot for more versatile use
- Two speed settings (low and high) so novice sewers can ease their way into the process
Reviewers Dislike
- Small size makes larger projects more difficult
- Only comes with one basic stitch, which is suitable for beginners and casual sewers but isn’t nearly as versatile
4. NEX Mini Multifunctional Professional Sew Machine
The best kids sewing machine for beginners
Manufacturer: NEX | Weight: 5.75 lbs. | Stitches: 12 | Speed: Low & High | Price: 💰💰
What is the best kids sewing machine for a beginner kid? While the Brother and Singer machines are incredible performance-wise, and the KPCB incredible on the price scale, a true sewing beginner is probably hoping for something with the best of both worlds. Enter NEX, with their Mini Multifunctional Professional Sew Machine. This baby has all the features reviewers love, like automatic bobbin rewinding, two speed settings, portable size, a dozen stitch options, an LED night light, and a storage drawer to boot. All this at a price perfect for someone not looking to spend a fortune.
Reviewers Like
- Small, compact size is perfect for little hands
- All the features of a professional, high-end machine without the unnecessary cost or bells and whistles
- Incredibly easy and straightforward to use, even if you don’t know what the “foot” is or what a “bobbin” does
Reviewers Dislike
- Finnicky needle clamp
- The thread compartment can only handle smaller spools, and may not be compatible with larger ones
5. Singer Simple 3232 Sewing Machine
The kids sewing machine with the most built-in stitches
Manufacturer: Singer | Weight: 12.25 lbs. | Stitches: 32 | Speed: 750 Stitches Per Minute | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Sometimes, all you want is a pretty stitch to finish off a cute purse or hemline, and Singer is at it again with their Simple 3232. With 32 different stitches to choose from and 110 stitch applications, there’s almost nothing this machine can’t do! All that versatility comes in an easy-to-operate package, with the same auto-needle threader, auto-reverse button, and fancy features you know and love from other Singer machines.
Reviewers Like
- Heavy-duty interior metal frame for long-lasting quality
- Plenty of accessories with everything you need to get started
- Adjustable stitch length and width expands the already-impressive 32-stitch range
Reviewers Dislike
- Some reviewers had trouble figuring out the auto-threader
- All those stitch options may be overwhelming to new sewers
6. Brother XM1010 Sewing Machine
The kids sewing machine with the best accessories
Manufacturer: Brother | Weight: 10.8 lbs. | Stitches: 10 | Speed: 750 Stitches Per Minute | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Brother is back with their XM1010 sewing machine decked out with all the cool features that won them our “Best Overall” award, this time with a stellar accessories pack! With 10 built-in stitches, the same automatic needle threader and drop-in top bobbin, and versatile free-arm capability, this machine is great for novices committed to the sewing game. It comes with four sewing feet, four bobbins, three needles, an instructional DVD, and a manual to ensure you have everything you need to get going with confidence.
Reviewers Like
- Comes with everything needed to sew right out of the box
- Lighter weight than “professional” machines but still the same size
- The perfect number of stitches for versatile choices without being overwhelming
Reviewers Dislike
- The size may be too big for smaller kids
- The price is a bit expensive for a casual hobby
7. Janome Fastlane Basic Sewing Machine
The kids sewing machine with the most color choices
Manufacturer: Janome | Weight: 5 lbs. | Stitches: 10 | Speed: Low | Price: 💰💰
While most of the sewing machines on our list have been pretty cool-looking, with floral designs and pastel colors, Janome takes the cake when it comes to color options. With no less than nine different combinations to choose from, there’s sure to be a machine to suit any tot interested in the craft. These machines are more than just a pretty face, though. With 10 built-in stitches, free-arm capability, integrated accessory storage, and a total weight of just 5 pounds, these babies are perfect for kids just starting out.
Reviewers Like
- Tons of fun colors to choose from
- Specially-designed kids machine is lightweight and small enough for little hands
- Perfect for small projects like bandanas, hems, purses, pillowcases, and even stuffed animals!
Reviewers Dislike
- There’s no built-in night light, though a table lamp easily solves this problem
- The construction is not as durable as some of the other choices on our list, and may not last through years of use
What to Look for in the Best Sewing Machine for Kids
After glancing through this list, you may have noticed that not all our top picks are specifically designed for kids. In fact, the majority of them are marketed as “portable” rather than “for kids.” The essential components of any sewing machine are pretty universal, no matter who is doing the sewing. Rather than finding a machine designed for kids, all you really need to do is pick a sewing machine that’s kid-friendly.
Size is one of the most significant factors here. Sewing machines can get pretty bulky, and you don’t want an 8-year-old operating a machine that’s half as big as they are! That’s why the “portable” models are usually the ones best for kids.
Features
The other factors that determine whether or not a machine is kid-friendly include:
Speed. Learning a new skill can be frustrating, especially for kids. Having a sewing machine with multiple speed settings, or variable speed based on how hard you press the foot pedal, allows children to learn at slower speeds until they get the hang of it.
Set-Up. Threading your machine and getting the bobbins in place can be one of the most frustrating roadblocks to successful sewing. Some machines have automatic threading mechanisms, easy-threading mechanisms, magnetic bobbin slots, and other features designed to help make this easier.
Stitches. Most sewing machines come with a few different built-in stitches. Too many options might be overwhelming to beginners, but check for the basics: straight, zig-zag, and reverse.
Foot Attachment. The “foot” of a sewing machine is the metal plate that holds the fabric down and smooths it out as you feed it through the needle. Some machines come with multiple feet for different kinds of fabric or different methods of sewing, but regardless, check how the feet attach to the machine. Screw-on feet are the most secure and the least likely to fall off during the sewing process.
Weight. If your kid is old enough to be interested in sewing, then they’re probably also old enough that they’ve reached the “I’m independent and I don’t need your help to do anything” stage. The last thing you want is to hear a crash in the other room because somebody decided to try and get the sewing machine out without Mom around.
Our Process
For this guide on sewing machine for kids, our team spent 3 hours researching the most popular options from over 10 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about fifty user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each machine. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 7 sewing machines for kids on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.
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Further Reading
