sewing machine advice

[Tim Cooper]

Does anyone have recommendations, places for info, strong feelings about sewing machine for a makerspace? I will probably get a couple, Maybe the same maybe not. Feel free to dump your ideas, raves, gripes etc. on me.

Thanks,

Tim Cooper

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Tim Cooper, M.Ed OCT (he/him)

Technology Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Design and Programming Teacher

Design Dept Co-Chair | THE YORK SCHOOL

416.926.1325 ext. 1458

E - tco...@yorkschool.com -- T - @tcoops -- LinkedIn - ca.linkedin.com/in/tcoops

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[JD Pirtle]

The first time I built a maker space in 2013 I bought 8 sewing machines. Out of everything in that space, they were by far the most popular machine. Kids were waiting in lines to use them. I bought 14 more and they were in use constantly, with some kids spending every recess in the maker space working on their own projects. Once we started laser cutting fabric from the patterns they designed and 3D printing weird/unusual buttons, we really started connecting the dots between the different machines in the space. Another benefit of sewing machines is that they lure in folks who know how to sew/want to learn to sew, who might be maker space contrarians (staff, teachers, or students). They initially enter the space to use the sewing machines but often begin to see the benefits of other resources in there. They are easy to weave into existing projects….we used them extensively for math projects. 

I always buy Janome machines, typically the 2212. It has enough features but is also really simple. All metal mechanism inside and I have yet to see a middle schooler destroy one (the pedals are another story, but that’s kind of all kids and sewing machine pedals imo). Easy to learn to thread and generally just great machines for the money.

JD

On Apr 21, 2026, at 10:01 AM, 'Tim Cooper' via K-12 Fab Labs and Makerspaces <k-12-f...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Does anyone have recommendations, places for info, strong feelings about sewing machine for a makerspace? I will probably get a couple, Maybe the same maybe not. Feel free to dump your ideas, raves, gripes etc. on me.

Thanks,

Tim Cooper

--

Tim Cooper, M.Ed OCT (he/him)

Technology Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Design and Programming Teacher

Design Dept Co-Chair | THE YORK SCHOOL

416.926.1325 ext. 1458

E - tco...@yorkschool.com -- T - @tcoops -- LinkedIn - ca.linkedin.com/in/tcoops

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The York School's mission is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are engaged citizens of the world. 

Disclaimer: This email is for the use of the named individual or entity and may contain confidential and privileged information.  Views and opinions expressed reflect those of the author and not The York School.

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[god...@skillmillnyc.com]

Make sure someone (an adult or older teen) knows how to use them and troubleshoot them.  They are great to have but sewing machines require attention and sewing projects require patience, even sewing a tote bag.  Create a system for training students in how to use them - large photos, short "follow along" videos, or an knowledgeable adult supervisor.  Have large magnets available for catching, holding or picking up pins.  Small hand vacuum for fabric scraps and random threads.  Know what to do if a bobbin gets stuck.   The projects are very rewarding - we make tote bags, hand puppets, small pillows and small stuffed creatures - each can be made in a relatively small period of time.

Godwyn

Godwyn Morris

Director

Dazzling Discoveries

[Fena Tandriarto]

Yes! I have been a K-8 Makerspace teacher in various forms and I sew my own clothes! I am very, very passionate about sewing machines. I guess sewing in general. 

If budget is not an issue, I would recommend a Janome. I have had my personal sewing machine for almost 15 years without any servicing and it runs like new. This one is similar to the one I have: 

https://a.co/d/08FXfynk

If you’re on a little bit of a budget, this is the one I’d recommend: 

https://a.co/d/0cjaKyK0

It is the machine that causes the least amount of troubleshooting and lasts the longest. The only downside is that it doesn’t have a speed lock feature so users need to learn how to use the right amount of pressure on the pedal (like a car). Best for middle schoolers and up. 

I have also created a badge system for students to independently learn how to sew, so all you’re doing is helping them troubleshoot! Here’s the link: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/167BIHA4AJq7cHE8h9dXnnyuushZNmDI_rMJjtC9fjSY/edit?usp=drivesdk

And to teach them how to actually use the machines, I usually just demonstrate via YouTube and then pause to assist as necessary. This has been the best model to teach seeing so students feel confident to independently create! 

Happy to chat more if you’d like. 

Tryphena (Fena) Tandriarto

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[Keith G Braafladt]

Great suggestions on supporting folks using the machines..!

Highly support video clips!!  our 5/6 teacher plays a short clip and does follow along with the whole class – I am in the room as tech support floating around and helping individual students as a teacher leads them through a process. 

Choose some initial projects, such as pillowcases and drawstring bags. 

At our school, I encourage mentors -identify students who have some experience they often are amazing helpers in class.

Look for teacher, teachers, or staff who sew at home, ask them to bring in and share their work … students often gravitate to individual projects that I have inspired them from a teacher.

I have chosen to role of “utilities sewer” versus showing highly crafted projects I bring in outside demonstrators for those – my goal is everyone sews - both hand and machine, and has the experience to create simple projects, and especially how to make machine repairs to clothing this seems very relevant to most student s.

Keith 

Keith Braafladt

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[KRISTIN BURRUS]

I love the Brother SE series.  We have 4 in our Fab Lab.  While pricey, they can be used for sewing or embroidery.  I feel like the embroidery enhances our digital fabrication offerings.  We teach Turtlestitch which is a LOGO based block coding program that students can see in the real world with stitches.  We also have been a big fan of SewArt to digitize raster images into embroidery patterns.  

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 11:02:10 AM UTC-4 tcooper wrote:

[Rob van Nood]

I was just thinking today how much I love the sewing machine and that it’s not always easy to get kids excited about it. I think for many kids it is intimidating and the machine that I have in my Tinkering Studio does require a little hand holding, especially with the elementary ages kids.   But something like Turtlestich (which I haven’t seen before) seems like it could open up a whole new creative world.  

If I was going to get just one machine that sewed and embroidered and could be used by elementary and middle school students, what would you recommend?

Rob

Book time to meet with me

 

Rob van Nood

Educational Technologist

Catlin Gabel School

 

Office: 503-297-1894

catlin.edu

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[Danny Schryburt]

Hi Tim,

We use the Bernina 325 at our school - which you know well. You are welcome to pop over and give them a test anytime. They are pricey though. We got a discount and still paid $1500 each (that's CDN to our American maker space friends). 

Students love sewing. 

I agree with the warnings though. I would definitely do a few sewing jobs yourself if you don't already know how to sew. Buy some seam rippers and extra needles - they will break. Be very clear with students on how to thread the machine, load a bobbin, and change a broken needle. Make sure they know to listen to the machine - if something doesn't sound right, that's because it isn't and they need to stop sewing. If projects result in layers of fabric being sewn together, be extra careful with needles.

I have students sew on paper without thread to practice curves and turning corners.

Other things to purchase:

pins or clips

chalk (or pens that erase when ironed - very cool)

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Happy to chat more about this is you'd like.

Danny

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 11:02:10 AM UTC-4 tcooper wrote:

[Kim Ducharme]

I agree on the many benefits of mixing sewing and other makerspace technologies.

To this end, does anyone have recommendations for an embroidery machine that accepts code (e.g. has a USB port) for TurtleStitch code files? I am looking for a machine that’s more robust (with metal parts) than a Brother machine (with plastic parts).

Thank you!

Kim

— 

Designer | Maker | Educator

Artisans Asylum, Boston

in/kimducharme

@ducharmes.kim

[Tim Cooper]

Wow! thanks so much for all the advice on machines and the resources to implement them in classes. This is a first for me so I am excited to take it on. My school is not that excited so I am going to get one and try to get some good projects going in my maker club so they can see the value. My school is moving away from personal making to a more theoretical design challenge where student prototype solution for world problems. I see the value in this but it is hard to give up the my maker ideas of kids solving problems in their own lives and using a design process to make things they care about personally. I guess I will still have clubs where kids can do stuff like that. Sorry too much rambling. I will check back in when I made a decision on the sewing machine. Danny, I will have to come over to check yours out.

Best,

Tim

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[sbar...@ucc.on.ca]

Tim - 

Sorry to hear that you're moving away from the hands-on making to the theoretical big ideas. Please continue to push for the need for our students to develop the basic skills, too! We have several Singer Heavy Duty machines that are fine for our middle schoolers. The Upper School has Janome 2000 machines. At the Prep, they've been used in a variety of ways in our art program for years. This year, I started a community service activity with Comfy Cases - the students sew pillowcases for kids in hospitals. Given the success of that project, we're reworking one of our grade 7 design units next year to focus on electronics and wearables.

- Sarah Barclay

[kim ducharme]

Sarah, I love the Comfy Cases project, and look forward to seeing what you do with electronics and wearables!

Kim

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