my youngest granddaughter was 4 when she made her first quilt.
i was unhappy with the aggravation with a little kids' singer- so i purchased an inexpensive brother machine with speed control...
that is the one feature i feel is important on a childs machine.
she already had her own fabric stash--
she laid her quilt out on the floor, picked up 2 pieces at a time, sewed them together- layed back out- continued until she had the quilt top she wanted- some of her seams were 2" wide, some were 1/8" wide-
it was her project- i did not criticize or make her re-do anything...
the only thing i did for her was iron a couple pieces of wrinkled fabric she felt needed to be ironed-
she used little scissors to cut her own fabrics when needed.
when she had it pieced i took her shopping for a back= then we tipped a dresser on it's side for her to stand on and she quilted it with the (big-machine)
it was very important that she make that quilt- her daddy was being deployed and she did not want him forgetting her.
now, 6 1/2 years later- he is again getting ready for deployment==and the quilt is all ready to go...it is still holding up great- and we all look at it as if it is the greatest quilt that's ever been made.
she has (on her own) continued to sew- and her seams are getting better all the time- she is learning- every thing she makes is PERFECT! her 2 older sisters sew too- they like making purses more than quilts, only the littlest one seems to have the (quilting gene :-D )

so , long & short--- girl or boy---any child who shows an interest should be given the opportunity -
i have a nephew who learned to knit in second grade....his class made their own knitting needles, then all knitted scarfs...the boys in that class spent the rest of their school days walking the halls with knitting needles click, click, clicking away :thumbup:

Make sewing cards, empty ceral box, make shapes, circles, triangles, etc, or animals, houses, boat.........whatever, with an awal, punch holes.......taa taa...........sewing cards........with yarn, and blunt needle............have her go to town........calla

I learned how to sew on an old treadle machine when I was 4.. and never stopped sewing. Yes, needles are scary for a mother when in the hands of a little one, but I don't think the "danger" outweighs the benefits! You may have an ardent future stitcher on your hands.. I'd encourage it!

Poke or stab? If you're really afraid she'll do serious damage (like, say, poke it in her eye), then wait til she's older. But if you're talking a regular needle prick, then I say poking yourself with a needle is a pretty good way to learn how to be careful with a needle. My 4-year-old son has been using a needle and thread to sew scraps together for almost a year. He's never hurt himself.

And when this is complete, it would make a fantastic wall-hanging for lasting memories

:-)

My youngest two used plastic canvas and needles. They made pencil boxes for the entire family - dad first, of course, tissue holders for their rooms, etc. It satisfied the need to create without being too close to what is potentially a dangerous piece of equipment. I can guarantee my Elna couldn't tell the difference between leather and fingers. I embedded a needle in my own finger one night.

If I had a young child who truly needed to quilt, she/he would only do the planning, laying out and pinning.

There are kits made for young children. There are also very big needles without sharp points made for children that you can use with a project that use make up yourself. When I was teaching I used those needles and a project made out of felt for my young students. You can cut out a shape like a bear, a dog or some easy pattern and put holes around the outside show him how to thread yarn through the holes. After it is sewn together, it can be stuffed. The little ones loved doing those and the finished items. Have fun. :) Some kits are available at JoAnn and probably other craft stores, possibly even WalMart.

I just purchased a Singer 99 and was pleased to see on e-bay that I can add a hand crank to the wheel. You by pass the electrical and just turn the crank. She would be able to work that by herself.

My DGD sits in my lap. We have a ball. She's in love with my embroidery machine.

Maybe he can help you make some bean bags ... then he'll have something to play with when he gets bored with the sewing.