I found my daughter a toy sewing machine on Kijiji. She was ever so keen and excited to have a sewing machine like her Mom. I was excited too. It was ever such a bugger to thread and get going -- much worse than a regular machine. But she loved sitting at it, pushing down the foot pedal and letting it go over the fabric. Then she headed down to my scrap drawer, pulled out a triangle piece and one strip piece and declared she was going to make an apron with a pocket. I was amazed at how she came up with the idea. I told her how to cut out another strip. Then we tried sewing it on her little machine. The machine stitched through the fabric but the chain stitches wouldn't stay in place. As I discovered --and what was re-enforced with research on the internet, this is simply a toy to pretend to sew -- even if it does have a real needle and spool of thread.I had to act quickly to not discourage her. "Let's finish this on my machine." We headed down to the basement and I set her up in front of my Elna. Using the toy machine had taught her how to carefully lift the presser foot and place it down on the fabric. With a little guidance, she sewed on her strips of fabric to make the apron straps. Then we added the pocket she wanted.
She was pleased and I am ever so proud.
The Totally Me Toy Singer sewing machine is said to be for children six and up. My daughter is six but she probably could have been using this earlier and enjoying it. I noticed one review from a woman who has a three-year old. The mother sewed and the little girl loved making the similar sounds on her toy as her mother did with her big machine. Technically, the toy sewing machine doesn't work. But as a toy and as a spring board to further creativity, it's wonderful!
