My Granddaughter was 6 and we started with pillow cases for her Aunt who was getting married. She picked the fabric, I cut and then I drew the quarter inch for all the seams for her to follow. Her attention span is also short and she is a perfectionist so got a little frustrated at times. She loves to sew, but not necessarily make anything. She likes to "practice" with all the stitches. I only see her twice a year because she lives too far away, but it is our special thing to do together, so I hope the interest continues. I also slowed down the speed and stressed the safety part of where her fingers and hands had to go