I have taught a class of girls and one boy to sew. We started out with a square pincushion. Just 2 squares of fabric and stuff them so they can use them for their pins. Then we made simple tote bags. The class ended with pillowcases and the older, teenage kids made simple pajama bottoms for themselves. I went over all parts of the machine and the sewing notions first and then they had to stitch on paper with no thread before sewing on fabric.