I found a little plastic toy sewing machine for my 4 yo dgd. It had a broken needle in it so I took it out. The batteries were replaced and it sounded like a noisy sewing machine. I sat it on the dining room table and waited for her to visit. Here is how it played out:
She said Oh, gramma it is just awesome. Where did you get it?
I said I went shopping to goodwill and found it. It's for you!
She said Oh I love it! ....But gramma it doesn't have a needle.
I said I was worried...I think a needle is a little dangerous for a 4 year old, so I think when you are five I'll put the needle back in, but for now we can pretend there is a needle.
She said I think that is a good idea, because needles poke. So when I'm five I can have a needle right??
I laughed and laughed! She is so precious to me. I bought a "New" Featherweight. The little plastic one and that will be her machine. When she is 5. LOL! But for now she is content to push little squares of material through that little machine that makes enough noise to drive me crazy!! Every once and again she will say...when I'm five I get a needle, right, gramma?? LOL!!