i was probably 5-6 years old when my grandma gave me needle and thread and fabric to stitch, i was a pest, always right there watching every move when she was sewing, knitting, what ever...i didn't hand quilt back then i embroidered pictures on muslin squares...and i'm sure i poked myself plenty, but i don't remember, what i do remember is i've loved to sew since i was pretty young, and am so grateful to a patient loving grandma who let me do, without ever saying i was too young; her philosophy with all of us kids was if we were old enough to say...i want to sew too...you were old enough to sew.
i didn't get to use an iron until i was 8...then only at 4-H...grandma's was too heavy for me to lift :)