I started my granddaughter off making pillowcases. I let her pick from my stash (she always seems to choose my most loved fabrics - but I can't tell her no). She made some for her camp counselors this summer choosing fabrics that reminded her of them - she really was proud of her finished works and loved the praise they gave her. I bought her a very inexpensive Janome - three stitches, low speed - good to start but once she used my Diamond she didn't want to go back.