GingerK

DGD will be 10 in January. She has had a couple of sewing lessons from me using my Janome Jem. Her Mom (DD) told me that she had circled-many times!!-a small 'play type' sewing machine on her Christmas wishes list. I checked it out and decided that it really was a 'play' sewing machine using felt and yarn, and popoohed the idea. DD came back with a couple of more 'real' inexpensive small machines. Long story short, DGD will be getting this machine for her birthday.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0749DY27X/...709270_TE_item

Now, Mom is a sew-a-phobe. She failed home-ec!! Dad is much better at reading directions but! We live 2 hours away and I cannot realistically offer a schedule to help DGD learn to operate her new 'toy'. But there are You tube videos to help DGD learn to use her machine.

Okay enough back-and forward-story. I need a few very easy projects that I can put together for DGD to try. I have been haunting Google but have not found anything absolutely basic and my brain is not coming up with anything that does not require more than very simple written instructions.

Help!!

Peckish

Why don't you see if there are any beginner classes offered in her area? I have a friend who teaches sewing to a group of 4H girls. Joann's might have classes also. Pay for a few classes and your gift is complete - and will be a joy to her for years to come.

WANNABEE

pillowcases?

ragamuffin

I have that machine but never sewed on it. I collect little machines. I feel at 10 years old she is ready for a grown up machine. I would cut up some 4" squares for one quilt, maybe 6" squares for another one. Then I would cut up an Ohio star and show her how to do the triangles. These are fun projects. If she is into dolls, cut some smaller pieces like 2" squares. You are starting something that she will have for the rest of her life.

maviskw

The most important thing to get is a "real" sewing machine. I've tried those $50 ones and they are only for occasional patching. They are not fun to use for sewing. A good used one would be better than a cheapo.
Good luck. I hope she can have many years of fun sewing.

QuiltE

Ditto! ... no knowing where your DGD is, but if she is outside of TO, she can probably join into 4-H clubs in her area. The next problem though, is whether they are offering any sewing clubs at the time. Also, many of the LQS's and sewing machine store offer sewing camps to help the young people get off to a good start. Triangle in Guelph does, but I am guessing she isn't anywhere convenient to them, if 2 hrs away from you. Another possibility ... they may be able to connect with someone in their community that could help her learn to sew, to supplement Grandma's help.

Or what about planning a girls sewing weekend with her every month (or whatever works!), that might help bridge the times between. She may come along quicker than you think!

About the machine .... I would go with a good regular machine. The scary part to me of the machine you have shown us is that with it being so low cost, and not a name brand, how long will it last? I would think that if she has problems with the machine, that could totally turn her off sewing. Check where you buy your machines, as many of them can sell you a good used machine, that by the time they service it, it will seem just like new, and you can save a lot of $. It very likely could be a machine that could last her for years. Again, I know that Triangle does have those sorts of machines as what we all have outgrown, are perfect starters for kids.

As to how to help her ... can you Skype with her some?
Maybe find some youtube videos that would be appropriate and give her the links?
Perhaps even kit up the project requirements to go with those links?

Good Luck! I'll look forward to hearing/seeing how she progresses!

quiltingshorttimer

I vote regular machine too--have been through this before with a niece and after lots of issues with "play machine" figured an inexpensive real machine was much less frustrating for all involved. Definitely check out if there is a 4H group that includes sewing. If not there may be a LQS/sewing center near her that has a youth class. In our area there is one that has an ongoing youth group--those kids do some amazing work! Kids that age are all about the internet and my bet is she can use some YouTube videos to coach her along on a project, so you might check those out to see if there are any that would have a complete project. Also, C & T Publishing as a bunch of sewing books that are aimed specifically at kids sewing. So neat that she's interested! Nurture that well,please!

gramajo

The $25 I spent on sewing lessons at JoAnn's for my teenage daughter is the best $25 I have ever spent.

zozee

At her age, they need projects they can finish in a short amount of time so they feel that sense of accomplishment.
I say have her make a doll quilt that's only a 9 patch of charms (5" squares). You do the rotary cutting for her, or provide cute pre-cuts. Could you let her have a 'sewing retreat" at Grandma's house where you could complete this little project in one weekend?

DACO48

Yep, I was sewing on my Moms "White" when I was 10. I remember my dad fixed some kind of doo-hickey on the foot feed so I could not floor board it. I made doll blankets moved to simple aprons and on and on.