My grands start by playing with the thread, then embellish tea towels - they pick a fun stitch, thread the machine and sew a line, then do it again. They all get to their own pillow cases at age 7, and at age 9 they get to go to sewing camp for a week. Any time they come up they get to sew if they want to. One granddaughter made a quilt when she was 7. I have an 11 year old that made pajama pants, an apron, and a cool bag to take to school this year. Last year she made aprons for others for Christmas. I always have projects cut out and ready for them to sew on. They all love to sew, even the boys.