ALEX Toys Craft Sew Fun Craft Kit

My daughter really wanted to learn to sew so I tried to teach her on my regular machine. It was too much of a machine for her to work with so I decided to get her a kids machine to learn on (she is 7). Overall I am happy with this purchase. I was concerned because of the negative comments posted here but with the Amazon sale price so low, I was willing risk it. I don't think its worth full price but at $25.00 its a great toy.Things I like about this machine toy:1. There are two speed settings but both are slow enough to be great speeds for a beginner.2. You have the option of either running a foot pedal or just pushing a button. This was great because she wasn't sure about the foot pedal at first. We worked with just the button till she got comfortable and then moved to the foot. She discovered she had a lot more control with the foot pedal... A+ for graduated LEARNING about sewing and finding comfort levels.3. It runs either on electricity or battery power. Great for finding a spot where little feet can reach the floor to run the foot pedal (we also used a stool to put the foot pedal on when using a grown up table)4. The fabric and patterns that comes with it are really cute. My daughter was also thrilled that the sewing kit came with "real" sewing items just like Mom's.Challenges with this toy:1. Great child parent toy. It does require adult supervision for younger children. An older child (around age 10) could probably work it fine alone but I think a cheap standard machine would serve an older child better. When my daughter is a little older I will get her a standard machine, this is a great toy for her to build understanding until then.2. It does require that the adult have knowledge of machine sewing. If you have worked with old school machines and/or well used machines and are familiar with their quirkiness...this machine will bring back those memories. If you have only sewn on the fancy computerized machines that you can get today..you may find this toy frustrating. For fixing the tension, seizing and bottom thread grabbing issues, pull the thread out about 12 inches before starting to sew. I discovered this released the tension and solved most of the issues. The thread that comes with it, is cheap thread and breaks easily if the tension is not released. Another option would be to use better thread that can handle more tension.

This is a good sewing machine for a small kid to learn on. It is the only child's sewing machine that I could find with a bobbin thread (without that, the stitch comes out as soon as you remove the fabric from the machine.). Overall, we are very happy with it and my daughter has already made 2 projects, including the bag that is included in the kit. She can't wait to start the skirt this weekend.The only problems that we have had is some difficulty trying to keep it threaded (which is remedied by pulling out extra thread before starting to sew) and losing the manual that explains the threading, which we found online from the ALEX website with no problem.Be aware that this machine requires pretty constant adult supervision, as it is a real machine and not a toy.

This sewing machine is really expensive for what it does. I found it on Amazon for a lot less, but it really is only good for teaching the fudamentals of the sewing. It does sew pretty good, but the thread kept coming out from the tension disc and then of course the stitches were too loose and I had to fix it for her to sew again. I will get my 7 and 8 year grandchildren to learn to handle the material under the foot and keep their fingers out from under the needle, then buy them a regular small machine that does lockstitch. They need adult supervision anyway, so might as well buy a real machine for $40.00, then this plastic thing. I really wouldn't recommend it, unless you just want to get them use to a sewing machine. Was thinking of sending it back. As you can tell I am very undecided, because I want them to be safe around the machine, but this item is a lot work to sew something even simple like the wrap around skirt.

My daughter loves loves loves her new sewing machine! Very cute and does work. It does not do everything a full size machine does but it is for a child... All the accessories it came with are really cute and I like the case it came in too. Only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is because we keep having some trouble with the thread breaking, I keep adjusting the tension but it doesn't seem to help. My daughter is 6yo and has been sewing things on her own with this machine. Great machine to start your little fashion divas with!

I ordered this for my 8 year old who is interested in sewing. I got it when the prices dropped from $75 to $45 right after Thanksgiving, so I felt like it was a good deal. My daughter LOVES this little machine. It is basically a smaller (slightly less functional) version of my sewing machine. It doesn't have a light or a reverse lever, but other than that it works "just like mommy's" She is learning so much and I'm not worried about her breaking my expensive machine. I'm not sure it would have been worth the original $75, but definitely worth $45.

The machine is just like the larger ones except smaller but it needs a light over the needle area and because it is very necessary for an adults assistances it needs a little more room for bigger fingers and most of all I think any child under the age of 8yrs old will have a problem waiting to get the machine sewing. As I said it's just like the larger machine and it has all the mechanic as the larger version. The tension seems to change with different materials so that slows down the process. Overall it's a nice little sewing machine but if you don't have the patience or time to help your child it's a waste of money.

Please note that this item comes from the USA and will need a UK adaptor to use the mains in Britain. However, it is also battery operated, so don't let this put you off. I placed my order late on December 4th and received the parcel at lunchtime on December 13th. Can't fault the delivery or packaging - no damage in transit. The kit contains everything you will need to start sewing a simple bag and skirt - threads, fabric and ribbon. There is even a cute tomato pincushion. I bought this for my 6 1/2 year old as she likes to watch and help me when I am using my machine. I have read lots of mixed reviews regarding the machine but I decided to order it anyway as most machines designed for children don't come with a bobbin so the stitching isn't that permanent. I couldn't find this kit available in the UK anywhere online, so considering it's shipped from the USA, I think the price is reasonable. There is a similar looking machine on Amazon (cream colour) but it doesn't come with the carry case or fabric which I thought would really appeal to my daughter. There is no light on it, but it is lightweight and can be packed away in the carry case which is cardboard but has a metal handle and clasp. I went to a sewing workshop recently and the tutor said that you should look to spend at least £100 on a "grown up" starter machine, so if my daughter gets hooked on sewing, we can always trade up. I hope with careful supervised handling, this machine will last a couple of years and then she can have my machine. I can't comment yet on the actual functioning of the machine as it's a Christmas present but will update the review once we've made something!

it's a bit rubish for the money, found a similar machine in Aldi for £13

Plenty of material to start off with, well presented lovely gift that can be easily stored in the lovely suit case that it comes with.

Received in good condition Thankyou