I am teaching my DIL how to sew. First I taught her about the sewing machine, then taught her how to make a simple pillow case. Now we are working on a very simple tote. She still has a way to go but is now much more comfortable with the machine and understands better about straight seams and pressing so start her with something simple, maybe a rail fence and go from there. My DIL was so proud and excited to finish the simple pillow case but it gave her the incentive to go on.