I bought my Grandniece a sewing machine for Cmas. Janome very inexpensive but just right for her. In 3 hours she learned about the machine because of the manual. She learned how to thread and set the tension. I never touched the machine, I only guided her. I had some fabric for her to make something of her choice. She used the manual to recognize each part. She is only 9. We started from the beginning. We did mark the machine for 1/4" seam allowance. I had leader ender for her to practice her stitches. Contrasting color for material so she could see her stitches. I had her thread her machine each time she did something different. It really didn't take that long. They need the manuals. By the end of the 3 hours she made a small bag with a drawstring (more like a pouch), a pillow case and a coaster. She has since made a pillow for a friend's little boy's birthday and a blanket. That has been since Christmas last year. She loves her movies and that is her time to sew. Busy little A student. Start them off with the manuals for the machines. Download them if you have to. We also took the bobbin and wound the bobbin. She has learned to use a FW that she may inherit. She loves sewing on it also. She only likes to use "old-fashioned" looking fabric on that one. And she cleans them before she uses them.