If a kid in your life wants to make their very first quilt, you’re probably wondering what sewing machine they need. There are so many sewing machines available, with so many different features, it can quickly get overwhelming, but this post is here to help! Let’s look at five machines that would be great for kids learning to make their very first quilt.
When considering sewing machines, quality matters. It’s important to start with a good sewing machine because you don’t want the machine to be a source of frustration. If the sewing machine doesn’t stitch smoothly, constantly breaks the thread, and doesn’t have the power to stitch through the layers of the quilt, no one is going to enjoy the experience of learning to quilt. When the sewing machine works well, though, your child can have a positive, enjoyable journey to their first finished quilt.
A good quality sewing machine doesn’t have to break the bank though! These five sewing machines are all under $300 and include the features your child (or any beginner!) needs to make their very first quilt.
But wait! Before you run out and purchase a new sewing machine, you might already have one! Start with the machine you already have! If the machines listed here are out of your budget, purchase a used machine from Facebook Marketplace or a secondhand store. Vintage sewing machines are often great workhorses. If it sews with a straight stitch, you can piece a quilt with it!
- Brother XR3774
This is the sewing machine used in the My Very First Quilt video lessons! It’s an affordable machine with great features for beginner quilters, and it’s easy to use right out of the box.
The Brother XR3774 includes a walking foot, which is needed for quilting the three layers of the quilt together, and an extension table, giving the quilter extra space to easily hold the fabric pieces as you sew. It has a needle threader, so there’s no fussing with trying to get the thread through the eye of the needle, plus a drop-in bobbin with a clear cover, making it easy to see when the bobbin needs to be refilled. Like all the machines on this list, there are arrows or diagrams to show how to thread the machine right on the machine. It also comes with a cover for the machine, keeping it dust free when not in use. With 37 possible stitches and free arm capability, the Brother XR3774 can grow with your child’s skills if they decide to try other types of sewing, like making clothes, stuffed toys, or bags.
There is one feature this machine doesn’t have that a couple of the other machines on this list do have, and that’s a speed control button. The sewing speed of this machine is determined solely by how hard the foot pedal is pressed. This can be challenging for young children, so is something to consider. This machine does not come with a ¼” foot, but the needle position can be adjusted to get an accurate ¼” seam when piecing.
At the time of this post, the Brother XR3774 machine is priced at $159.99, making it the second most affordable machine on this list. Get the machine HERE.
- Brother CS7000X
The Brother CS7000X is a computerized machine that features a speed control slider, to preset the maximum speed of the machine, giving the quilter more control. This is great when sewing with kids, as you can set the max speed to “slow” so that pressing the foot pedal all the way down does not cause the machine to sew too fast.
This machine comes with a ¼” foot for piecing and a walking foot for stitching through the three layers of the quilt. An extension table is included to make maneuvering the quilt easier as well. It also has an automatic needle threader, so your child won’t struggle to thread the needle on their own, plus a drop-in bobbin with a clear cover, so they can easily see when the bobbin is running low. It comes with a hard case to protect it from damage and dust when not in use. The Brother CS7000X has 70 built-in stitches for using with garments and other sewing projects.
At the time of this post, the Brother CS7000X machine is $239.99. Get the machine HERE.
- Singer Heavy Duty 4452
There are several versions of Singer Heavy Duty machines on the market. The difference between models is mostly the number of built-in stitches. The Singer Heavy Duty 4452 comes with a bonus accessory package that includes the walking foot – giving it our approval to make this list. This machine is a sturdy, heavy duty machine that can power through thick fabrics, but is still at a price point to make it a good choice for a beginner sewist. If your child also wants to try sewing with fleece, denim, or other non-quilt type fabrics, this machine can keep up with their ideas.
The Singer Heavy Duty 4452 comes with an extension table to give your child extra room for the bulk of the quilt, and it has a drop-in bobbin with a clear cover so they can see when the bobbin needs to be refilled. With 32 built-in stitches and free-arm capability, this machine can grow with your child as they make quilts or other sewing projects. This machine does not come with a ¼” foot, but the needle position can be adjusted some for piecing when making a quilt.
This machine can sew the fastest of all the machines on our list – as much as 1,100 stitches per minute (the others are 750-850 stitches per minute). However, it lacks a speed control button on the machine, so the foot pedal is the only way to regulate the speed. The sturdy, cast iron frame of the machine also makes this the heaviest machine on our list, weighing in at 18.5 pounds.
At the time of this post, the Singer 4452 is $259.99. Get the machine HERE.
- Janome Pink Sorbet
The Janome Pink Sorbet sewing machine stands out from the crowd in bright pink! And you can get the same machine in blue, green, or purple!
This is the least expensive sewing machine on our list and one of the lightest. Don’t let that fool you, though, as it still has a sturdy metal interior frame. It is the only machine on our list with a front-loading bobbin akin to vintage machines instead of a drop-in bobbin. The bobbin loading diagram is built into the machine, right in front of where the bobbin gets loaded, making it easy for your child to remember what to do.
The Janome Pink Sorbet machine has 15 built-in stitches and free arm capability, so your child can use this sewing machine to learn to sew clothes and other projects, as well as quilting. It does not come with a ¼” foot, nor can the needle position be adjusted. This means the machine will work for beginner projects, but will be more difficult to use when tackling more complex projects that require precise accuracy.
Since this is a basic, starter sewing machine, the walking foot must be purchased separately, and there is no extension table. We’ve put links to all colors of the machine and the walking foot below. Even with the added cost of the walking foot, this machine stays under $300. (Some colors are under $200!)
Buy the Pink Sorbet machine HERE.
Buy the Couture Blue machine HERE.
Buy the Arctic Crystal machine HERE.
Buy the Purple Majesty machine HERE.
Buy the Lovely Lilac machine HERE.
Buy the walking foot for this machine HERE.
- Janome JW8100
This computerized machine has many features designed for the beginning quilter!
Along with the included walking foot and extension table, the Janome JW8100 has a needle threader and a drop-in bobbin with a clear cover. It also has a speed control slider, to preset the maximum speed of the machine, and it comes with a hard cover to protect it when not in use.
Unlike some of the other sewing machines on this list, the Janome JW8100 includes a ¼” foot which is specifically used when sewing the pieces of a quilt together. A quilt can be made without a ¼” foot, but using one will give more accurate results. It also has a start/stop button, so the sewing machine can be used without the foot pedal control, and a needle up/down control, so the machine will stop with the needle in the desired position.
With 100 possible stitches and free arm capability, this sewing machine can grow with your child as they expand their sewing skills.
Those extra features come with a higher price tag, of course, making this the most expensive machine on the list.
At the time of this post, the Janome JW8100 machine is $299.99. Get the machine HERE.
You can sew a quilt on a vintage sewing machine or a new sewing machine. If you choose a machine on this list, your child will have the features and the power they need to make their very first quilt…and their second…and many other sewing projects too!