I am also teaching my 8 year old granddaughter to sew. She was having trouble keeping her stitches straight so I got her a presser foot with a 1/4" seam guide. It's been a great help to her. Also I cut blocks for her so we have ready-to-go projects to work on together. (I'm still nervous about handing her the rotary cutter!) I've made patterns for her to take home and she has traced them and cut them out with a scissors. A few easy patterns are fun. Right now we are working on the tiny treat bags for Halloween from the "Quilts and More" magazine, fall issue. She loves it and is making one for each of her classmates. She's providing the bags and the room mother will fill them up with candy & such. Have fun with her!