I let my g-granddaughter who are seven and eleven make pillowcases last summer. The 11-yr. old has sewn before but the little on hadn't. I let them pick two fabrics from my stash for the case and trim. They did a great job and we were all so proud of the because they even did French seams with not too much help from me. \
When I let the oldest girl sew for the first time, I made her use the wheel, because I didn't trust her with the foot peddle.