My six year old GD made a quilt last summer. She sewed every single square and borders. I only ripped 5 seams out of the whole quilt. I usually rip many more in a whole quilt. The first thing I did was have her guide a piece of notebook paper through the machine sewing on each and every line of the note paper. By the time she finished every line, she could guide the paper through accurately. I have done this with every person I have taught to quilt. I left the thread in because it made it very easy to see how well the lines were being followed. Most adults have it mastered by the time they are half through. It also helped her to learn not to pull the fabric out until the pressure foot was all the way up. It acclimates you to the machine and the fear of the machine usually is gone. I then put the quarter inch foot with the guide on the machine and she just took off. Hope this helps.