When my grandchildren wanted to sew (boys included) I first drew lines on a piece of typing paper, 1 page of straight lines, then slightly curved , zig zag etc. You get the picture. I removed the thread from the machine and had them sew on the lines just to get the idea of how to handle the machine. When they had accomplished getting through all of the sheets they were then ready to use fabric. They came out of the paper sewing with a sense of accomplishment and also knew how to handle slight turns etc. We then graduated to making small pillows, doll blankets, pillowcases etc. My grandson was so proud of his own pillowcase that he brought some of his buddies and on that afternoon we made a bunch of pillowcases.