Best Kids Sewing Machines of Sep 2023

Your kids can benefit greatly from sewing and other craft activities. You can enhance their experience and help them stick with it by getting them a good sewing machine to sew with.

It is, therefore, imperative that you pick the right sewing machine if you want your kids to seriously get into sewing, and create cool and fun stuff for themselves and their friends. With so many options on the market, it can be quite a task to determine which brand or model to buy for your child.

We put together this page to try and help you find the best kids sewing machine by guiding you through the top options on the market. We help you buy a machine that is safe, easy-to-use, durable, and fun for your kids to sew with. All of the products on our list are affordable and packed with all the features your children will need to make beautiful items.

What Are the Best Children’s Sewing Machines?

Let’s start by taking a quick look at the chart below. It features machines from all the major brands including Singer, Brother, and Janome. Go through the list and pick one to buy. You can click on a link to the right to check today’s price on Amazon or read reviews from other users.

We also present our review of each machine in the paragraphs after the table.

We may receive compensation from the companies whose products we review if you click through our affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The price you pay is the same.

Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine (Ideal For Kids Aged 10 and Over)
Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine (Ideal For Kids Aged 10 and Over)
  • 60 Built-In Stitches to Choose From
  • LCD Display Gives Easy Access to Built-In Stitches
  • Extended Table For Larger Sewing Projects
  • Automatic Needle Threader | Variable Speed Control | LED Light For Work Area
  • Additional Features: 9 extra presser feet, Needle Up/Down Key, Needle Stop Up/Down, Start/Stop Button, Automatic Button Holes
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8023 User Reviews
7863
160
Warranty: 25 Years Limited
9.5
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine (Ideal for kids aged 10+)
Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine (Ideal for kids aged 10+)
  • 27 Built-In Stitches to Choose From | Very Easy to Use
  • Automatic Needle Threading | Jam-Resistant Drop-in Bobbin System
  • 6-Point Feed Dog | Stitch Selector Dial | Manual Thread Tensioner
  • One-Step Buttonhole | 6 Extra Snap-On Presser Feet
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1329 User Reviews
1249
80
Warranty: 25 Years Limited
9.4
Top Sewing Machines for Kids
Janome Fast lane Fuchsia Basic Sewing Machines (Ideal For Kids Aged 5 to 12)
Janome Fast lane Fuchsia Basic Sewing Machines (Ideal For Kids Aged 5 to 12)
  • Weighs just 5 Pounds | Sews 4 Types of Stitches (Straight, Crescent, Zig Zag)
  • Top Loading Bobbin | High Presser Foot Lift | Stitch Selector Dial
  • Presser Foot Finger Guard | Free-Arm Sewing | Easy Reverse Stitches
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849 User Reviews
755
94
Warranty: Unavailable
8.4
SINGER Mechanical MX60 Sewing Machine (Great for beginners of all ages)
SINGER Mechanical MX60 Sewing Machine (Great for beginners of all ages)
  • 57 Stitch Applications | Easy Stitch selection | Full Metal Frame
  • Beginners will find this machine super easy to use
  • Lightweight and Portable | LED Lighting | Easy Buttonhole | Easy to Use
  • Preset stitch length and width for simple stitch selection
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814 User Reviews
789
25
Warranty: 1 Year
9.6
Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
  • 12 Built-In Stitches | Stitch Selector Dial | Stitch Length & Width Adjuster
  • Drop Feed | Four-Step Buttonhole | Free-Arm Sewing & Quilting
  • Retractable Thread Spool Pins | Snap-On Presser Feet | 5-Piece Feed Dog
  • Thread Cutter | Needle Threader | 4 Additional Presser Feet | Foot Pedal Control
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472 User Reviews
444
28
Warranty: Unavailable
9.5
Singer Start 1304 Sewing Machine
Singer Start 1304 Sewing Machine
  • 6 Built-In Stitches | Front-Loading Bobbin System | Drop Feed
  • 4-Step Buttonhole | Darning Plate | Free-Arm Enabled | Threading Diagram
  • Reverse Stitch Lever | Stitch Selector Dial | Snap-On Presser Feet
  • Twin-Needle Stitching Enabled With Dual Vertical Thread Spools
  • 3 Extra Presser Feet | Preset Stitch Length and Width
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953 User Reviews
877
76
Warranty: Up to 25 Years
9.0
Top Sewing Machines for Kids

Brother CS600i Sewing Machine.

Brother CS600i kids sewing machine

I have already reviewed the CS600i as one of the best sewing machines on the market today. This is the best-selling sewing machine in the world today. Despite being a full-featured sewing machine, it is still mainly a beginner’s sewing machine and ideal for kids that want to do more intricate sewing projects. It is lightweight and easy to use and comes with a lot of features such as 60 built-in stitches, automatic needle threading, 1-step buttonholes, drop-in bobbin, a start/stop button so that you can use the machine without foot pedals, LCD Screen, speed control.

It comes with 9 additional feet, including a walking foot, an extra table attachment to give you a larger work area for large projects, and a protective case. You also get a 25-year limited warranty on this machine.

It is a perfect machine for your kids to learn sewing, crafting, and quilting. Click here to read our full review of the CS600i.

All three machines are ideal for kids, and they will have loads of fun creating items themselves.

Brother XM2701 Lightweight Sewing Machine.

Brother XM2701 Lightweight - best kids sewing machine

For years, the Brother XL2600I has been a favorite of young sewing enthusiasts and beginner sewers alike. So why I’m I not reviewing the XL2600I? This review features the XM2701 because it is a newer version of the XL2600I and costs the same. This machine has a lot more advanced features than the Janome I reviewed. It is the ideal sewing machine for older kids with a bit more sewing knowledge but will also work as a first machine for kids around 10 years of age.

The Brother XM2701 is easy to use and comes with a lot of features such as auto needle threading, a drop-in bobbin, and a 1-step buttonhole maker. It includes a DVD instruction guide, an easy-to-read user manual in multiple languages, and 25 years limited warranty.

I recommended this machine for one of my friends who needed a machine for her 10-year-old sewing bee, and I’m happy to say she loves it. Her 10-year-old was able to set up the machine by herself by merely watching the instruction DVD. She loves making and altering her clothes and making cute and personalized gifts for her friends with this machine.

Although an ideal machine for kids, this machine is quite capable of being used as a second machine for the adult hobbyist. It comes with 27 built-in stitches to choose from, 6 different presser feet for different kinds of sewing tasks, a drop-in bobbin, auto needle threading, auto bobbin winding, and the ability to sew a variety of fabrics including denim.

It also comes with 4 extra bobbins and 5 needles. You can also do quilting with this machine if you want to. It has an LED light that illuminates the sewing area at night. However, I have to admit it is not the brightest light you’ll ever use.

If you are looking for a first machine or a full-featured model, this is one of the best to get them. It is lightweight, durable, and very easy to use.

And if you want it even cheaper, you can buy it open-boxed, pre-owned for about half the list price from Amazon.com. You get a 30-days money-back guarantee so you can return it if you don’t like it.

Brother XR3774, LS2125i, and XM1010 are all excellent alternatives to the XM2701.

Janome Sew Mini Sewing Machines

Janome Sew Mini kids sewing machine For Kids

The “sew mini” series from Janome is designed with kids in mind. It is an easy-to-use machine that even a 6-year-old child can use. What I love about it is that it meets all the criteria for a child’s machine. It is easy to operate, safe, durable, lightweight, and affordable.

It was the first machine I got for my 7-year-old girl when she started showing interest sewing and wanted to use my machine. We were delighted with this machine.

One of the best features of this machine is the finger guard. Kids are accident-prone and may get their little fingers stabbed by the needle. But the finger guard that comes with this machine ensures that it doesn’t happen. Some machines have very low presser feet that leave very little space between the presser feet and the feed dog. But they do not include a finger guard. Even though those machines make it hard for kids to put their fingers under the needle, the finger guard on this one makes me feel much more at ease. The finger guard means needle threading is just a little bit more complicated. It does not have automatic needle threading. However, the machine is so easy to use that your child will figure out a lot on their own, including how to thread the needle in no time.

It comes with a drop-in bobbin, which makes it easier to load. The bobbin cover is transparent, so you can tell when it’s running out of bobbin thread. There are three plastic bobbins and two size-14 needles included with the machine. But you can also use a size 12 with this machine. It has a reverse lever located on the front of the machine. And the machine is capable of free-arm sewing.

The machine comes with 10 built-in stitches, which is more than your kid will ever need to sew. It says 10 stitches, but there are only three stitches with varying lengths and widths, which adds up to 10. But it is more than enough for your child. A simple turn of a dial selects the stitch you want to sew. It is perfect for completing a variety of kids’ sewing projects, including papercraft, scrapbooking, and doll clothing.

Even though this is a kid’s machine, I can use it for some light sewing work on lightweight denim and flannel.

It only weighs 5 pounds, which makes it perfect for young kids. Despite its small size and lightweight, it is durable and won’t break no matter what your kid throws at it.

It comes in a wide array of colors to pick from and has fun names, which your child will love.

The only negative I have with this machine is that it does not have a built-in light to illuminate the work surface at night.

How We Picked the Sewing Machines on Our List

We’ve always made it a point to only put the best products on our lists throughout this blog, and this page is no different.

We’ve spent more than one hundred hours researching this post to make sure we only show you the top brands and models. We make sure you end up with a machine that can do the job right every time.

Our picks are based on a few factors, such as how easy it is to use, how much abuse it can take from your kids, safety, and features. We read through thousands of user reviews and talked to expects and other users to put together this list for you. You can be assured of buying an excellent sewing machine for your child if you end up buying one from our list.

We also take into account the cost of the machine because you don’t want to buy an expensive one only for your kid to lose interest in sewing in a couple of years. What if they decide to take up paper crafts? Then may need to get other stuff like a Cricut cutting machine, so you don’t want to spend all your money on an expensive sewing machine. The ones on this list can do everything your child could ever want from sewing.

It doesn’t matter which type of machine you pick because we applied the same effort to all the products on our list.

Getting Your Kids to Love Sewing

You can find loads of fun sewing projects your kids can sew from the age of six. We think this is the ideal age to introduce them to sewing with a machine. However, you’ll need to supervise them until they are comfortable using it safely by themselves.

You should recognize that children have a short attention span, and can quickly lose interest in sewing in an instant. You’ll have to work at their pace to get them to fall in love with sewing. Work together on fun projects and don’t force them to continue sewing if they switch their attention to something else. You can always pick up where you left off some other time. Use creative ways to motivate them, including positive reinforcements and rewards for finishing a project.

Use the tips below to help get your kids to love sewing.

For Kids 6 – 10 years old

  • Work on simple and small projects together. Kids this age will benefit from finishing projects in one sitting because of their short attention spans, so keep it small and simple for them.
  • Hand sewing is an ideal starting point for them. However, you can also get them a kid’s sewing machine, such as the Janome sew mini, which is a great model to start kids of this age group on.
  • You may want to do all the cutting to make things easier for them. Get a finger guard for them and supervise them if you want them to do the cutting themselves.
  • You need a lot of patience with kids. Bring the session to an end if you notice that their interest has dropped. Put away whatever you were working on for another day. Don’t rush them, and most importantly, let them have fun. Don’t take the session too seriously.

For Kids 10 – 13 Years Old

  • At this age, they might already be comfortable using a sewing machine, and If not, they will pick it up very quickly.
  • Ideal projects for this age group depends on experience and what they are interested in sewing. But ideally, they should work on projects that mostly involve straight stitching in a straight line. Pillowcases, colorful headbands, blankets for dolls, scarfs, and simple drawstring bags are all fun projects they can make.
  • They can even make monster dolls themselves, which will unleash their creativity.
  • By the time they are about 12 years old, they should be ready to start learning how to read and sew commercial patterns.

For Kids Over 13 Years Old

  • At this age, your kids are advanced enough to use a full-featured sewing machine or even computerized sewing machines. They are ready to start making more intricate and elaborate designs.
  • Ideal sewing projects for kids of this age group include sewing their own clothing, altering their clothes, making tote bags, pockets, quilting, and embroidery. They can start working with items such as elastics.
  • Stuffed animals are also fun to make for this age group.

Why Should You Get Your Kids The Best Sewing Machines?

Kids love to learn new things, but they also have a short attention span. They can switch their interest from one activity to another in an instant. You want to get them a machine that will be fun to work with and easy to learn.

A good kid-friendly sewing machine will keep them hooked and eager to work on projects. You don’t want to make it difficult for them to sew by getting a machine that will break when they are in the middle of sewing something. They’ll just give up if that happens.

You also want to get a machine that has a lot of features for them to learn all the basic skills. After all, they’ll soon outgrow their kid machine and want to graduate to an adult or full-featured one. The best ones will give them an excellent chance to transition to the later.

Features to Look for in a Kid-Friendly Sewing Machine

Some characteristics make a sewing machine suitable for children. We highlight a few of these features below

Presser feet: You want a machine with presser feet that are easy to install and remove. Buy one with a snap-on presser foot for older kids rather than one that requires you to screw it on. Younger children should get a machine that has a fixed presser foot, so they don’t have to install one themselves.

Pedals or no pedals: Younger kids will have a tough time using a standard pedal because they’ll find it difficult to coordinate using the pedals and maneuvering the fabric at the same time. They may also find it difficult to reach the pedals. Ideally, you want to get them a machine with a stop/start button. Kids older than 13 may be comfortable operating a pedal.

Variable Speed Control: You want a machine that has speed control because younger kids may be unable to sew at high speeds. You want a machine that allows you to sew at slow speeds, which is a must if you want your kids to sew clean and consistent stitches.

Weight of the machine: You ideally want a machine that is fixed to a table to avoid accidents. You don’t want your kid to pull the machine onto themselves. A heavy one will be difficult to move.

Warranty: You should get a machine that will not break easily, but you should also consider the warranty. We all know just how easily kids can break their stuff, so you’ll sleep better knowing that you have a good warranty.

Threading & Bobbin: This may not be high on our list but it will make things easier if you get a machine that is easy to thread. It should also make it easy to install and remove the bobbin.