I have 4 daughters. #3 has never put needle to thread almost. i've offered to help teach her many times, but she has never wanted to learn. she called today, and then came over, and with only a few directions she completely made a set of 'cars' curtains for her little boys bedroom. Of course, she took over my good janome, so "I' didn't get anything done today. but it was well worth it. she barely had enough material, so we had to add a border at the top of the curtains. but she hemmed, pressed, set her seams, turned under the long selvage edge, everything herself.
i threaded the machine for her, but she learned the sissors button, the backup, mastered the lifting of the pressure foot by hand. learned about the thread cutter on the side. and used the l/4" foot. sooo proud of her. (this daughter has a college degree, and is a commercial loan officer in a bank) AND she brought her husbands pants, and showed her how to shorten them. she pressed, marked, and measured for accurate lengths, then had him re try them on for good fit, etc. then i did the sewing, cause of the extra thickness of the blue jeans. but she knows how to do it now. maybe.......