Beginning sewing machine for kids?

[KrisM]

DD got a toy sewing machine for her birthday from a friend. Not such good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/NKOK-Singer-Zigzag-Sewing-Machine/dp/B000EMSV7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307323091&sr=8-1. She sewed 1 piece of fabric yesterday and now it doesn't seem to work any more.

I'm thinking of taking it back and getting her a better machine, that is still really simple. We'd have it put up so she didn't have access to it at all times, but I'd like it to be as kid-friendly as possible and not too expensive. I can only do very basic sewing on my machine, so basic is good :).

In another thread, this one was recommended as an idea, but I wonder if anyone else has real life experience with one?
http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Janome-Sew-Mini-Sewing-Machine-Mini-Sewing-Machines_stcVVproductId48446188VVcatId539683VVview prod.htm

[Canna]

My mom got this Hello Kitty one for DD age 6 for her birthday because she wanted a real sewing machine. It's quite nice and you can see it is well reviewed. I sew and have used it and found it nice. It's just a regular sewing machine that features Hello Kitty. http://www.target.com/Hello-Kitty-Sewing-Machine-Green/dp/B000B8WSJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&searchView=list&keywords=hello%20kitty%20sewing&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-1&qid=1307325139&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=Hello%20Kitty%20Sewing%20Machine%20Green&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_ primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0

[egoldber]

I have heard good things about the Hello Kitty machine.

However, older DD has used my sewing machine (older, basic, but very nice) with no trouble. I think it is easier to learn on a more reliable machine than a "toy" machine. Is there any reason she can't use yours? You have to supervise anyway IMO.

[jerigirl]

I am pretty sure that the Hello Kitty and the Janome Sew Mini are the same machine. Also there is a Kenmore 3/4 machine that is the same or very similar.

[egoldber]

There are definite differences between the two machines. But the Hello Kitty machine is certainly this Janome:

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=81913199

[jerigirl]

There are definite differences between the two machines. But the Hello Kitty machine is certainly this Janome:

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=81913199

Thanks for correcting! I knew that the Hello Kitty was the same as another Janome model.

[KrisM]

She could use mine. Mine gets the bobbin thread tangled rather often though, and I'd hope to avoid that for hers. I was thinking of getting a smaller, more lightweight machine would be good for her. I'm sure she couldn't lift mine. But, as I'm thinking of it, she's not going to be carrying it around all over, so that doesn't much matter.