I would like to buy my child a sewing machine. What do you recommend?

It depends on what kind of sewing they want to do and how often you expect them to use it. I highly recommend Janome sewing machines for the beginner because they are easy to use and extremely reliable. In the studio we use the Janome Magnolia 7330. If you can do without a speed-control slider, you’ll be able to pay less. Many of my students have the Janome 2212 or the Janome 2206 at home and are very happy with their ease of use and durability. Most kids do not need a lot of fancy stitches or other advanced features. The main thing is that the machine not jam or come un-threaded all the time. I usually recommend a visit to Montavilla Sewing Center. They can help you find a machine that fits your needs and budget.

Do you have an age minimum for lessons?

I can teach children as young as 6 years in a private lesson. For group lessons, they must be 7 years old.

Does my child need to bring any fabric or other materials to class?

Typically not for group lessons. I provide all materials 99% of the time. There are rare cases where I ask students to bring in their own materials when needed or appropriate. For private lessons, it depends on the project.

My child has a sewing machine but doesn’t know how to use it. Can they bring it to class and have you teach them?

Yes! I am happy to help kids get comfortable using their own machines. I am limited by how much time I can spend trouble-shooting problems, but generally it works out fine for kids to bring their own machine.

Do you do birthday parties or other special events?

Yes. I love to help kids celebrate their birthdays with a sewing project. We can customize the project to their interest and skill level.