My now 13 yr old started at about 3 to 4 yr old. She did some hand sewing and also some piecing on a very nice big sewing machine. The newer sewing machines seem easier for them to use. Ofcourse it looked like a very young child made it but now at 13 she is an aewsome quilter and is teaching her friends. Also she was only able to do little bits at a time. Before she started sewing I had her glue scraps (from cutting) on sheets of paper with a glue stick.