My general distaste for character-driven merchandise kind of trails off right at the shores of Japan, because that's where Hello Kitty lives. I'm a sucker for a mouthless feline, what can I say?

So I'm excited about this Hello Kitty sewing machine. It's well-priced, it's produced by Janome, a well-known and highly respected manufacturer of high-end sewing equipment, and if the Kitty didn't get me, the cherries would.  It's definitely bare-bones (not a lot of complicated stitch types) but it's totally uncomplicated, perfect for a total newbie and ideal for a child, especially if you're not entirely comfortable using your own machine as a teaching tool. And it'll look adorable as it sits patiently on the table because you're too lazy to put it away when you're done hemming curtains.

There's a slightly, and I do mean slightly fancier model available, but I wouldn't say that the few additional features are worth the extra cost. Plus, no cherries. When you (or your kids) are ready for more power, you can go big.

I'm pretty sure I know what my kid's getting for her birthday this fall. Maybe she can start making her own damn Barbie clothes.