Wildyard, is your granddaughter really wanting a machine? If so, get it and teach her when you can be with her. There are a lot of fabric shops and some Hancock's that have sewing classes for kids.My daughter is going to teach a class for kids at her church.Also, Fons and Porters rotary cutters are very safe. The blades will only cut when pressed down. This is going to be such a great memory for her.

My 11 yr old granddaughter is just starting with quilting - she loves to attend my guild meetings! We have found some really nice items for her at the guild mercantile table. Check garage sales for fabrics and small items. Also the Dollar Store (I believe someone already mentioned this). Ask your quilting friends if they have items they no longer use which might be appropriate. I found a couple of really nice small quilt kits for her which taught her to read and follow instructions, measure twice, cut once, use a rotary cutter and scissors and MOST IMPORTANT - be patient with the process. Have fun with it!

I would make sure she had the basics for the machine and then give her a sensible amount to spend in a shop. However, make sure you go with her for assistance at the time. I started sewing on grandma's treadle at 7 and was given a machine a short time later where I had to wind the wheel by hand as I sewed. Somehow I managed. People thought that I would be sewing dolls clothes or such - like. I wasn't interested in dolls, and made clothing, furnishings and bags, so she may surprise you with her preferences as well.

maybe you can put together a basic kit of blocks where all the pieces are already cut and all she has to do is sew? You could write up easy-to-understand directions. Would be a great learning experience for her.

My elderly neighbor (87) is relatively housebound and has asked on a couple of times if I need any help. :-D So, now that I am back into my quilting, I am putting a pre-cut kit together for her of aunt grace.

Consider this, until a child is about 10 or 11, they probably don't have the mechanical skills (dexterity) to sew effectively, and for long and involved instructions they also do not have the attention span. Teaching her all the hand skill on the other hand including some embroidery skills will prepare her for the day when she will be able to control a real machine. The acid test on a machine for me is the rate at which the controller starts. So many of them jump start (because the motors really don't have enough power to go at a lower speed) which in turn causes unwanted things to happen with the sewing seam. So many of the cheaper white plastic machines just don't have what it takes to be a good investment. I would wait a while and then buy a better machine, or an older one in good running condition which in the long run are simpler to use.

My Grandaughter has no interest in sewing. However, she just loves my easy chair pin cushion. I found it years ago at Joanne's. I am going to see if I can find another one for her. Have no idea what she will do with it. It does have a lift up seat, thought maybe she could store some jewelry in it. Obviously a crazy gift. Just one of those whimsy things.
Great idea to get your Grandaughter started. Be sure to include a variety of small scraps to practice on.

The ideas you have for the kit is great. For a machine you
might look at the Janome Sew Mini. I have used one for
a couple of years to take to classes. Weighs only 5 pounds
was under $40.00 and sews like a charm. Only straight stick
and zig zag but that is all she will need to start.

I would buy a larger and sturdy sewing box and put simple needs into it. Just basic needles, safe scissors ,thread , snaps etc. I would make sure the sewing box is a good one because no matter what, that sewing box will go with her forever and be a happy memory. Maybe you could add a simple pattern for some doll clothers and enough fabric to make it.

2 yrs ago my daughter was 8. For Christmas she got a sewing machine that we got second hand. I included a small pair of scissors, seam ripper, pins and a tape measure. I also included a pattern to make a lap quilt (yellow brick road, but turning twenty would also be good) with the fat quarters needed to do the top. She entered it into 2 county fairs and one quilt show. She won first place in the 2 fairs. Hope this helps. :)

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This is a good suggestion, but I would add a note with each piece of equipment, explaining why you chose it over others available. Ex; 1. These are steel pins because they are less likely to rust, and ruin your fabric.
2. This is a retractable measuring tape, so it will not tangle in your sewing box. etc. etc.

Good of you to spread the addiction to the next generation. {HUGS} :thumbup:

So many great suggestions. My first sewing box was a gift that gave me the desire to try . My mother could not see to teach me. She sent me to the Girls club to learn with others my age.I think my mother still has every strange item that I created. It made want to learn even though I did not know I was learning. I was Just Playing with the fabric.
I love the basket to put in in. I think we will all be waiting to hear how she likes it. Maybe You can take a picture as she unwraps it. See the excitement. And Of course share it with us...
I also think it has given all of us so ideas for our loved ones.It has made me remember that happy gift and all the fun it brought to me.
Christina

I'm with fatquarters!!!!!! throw in a candy bar!!!

As my step daughter got older I gave her gift card from all the fabric store around this area.....1 at a time....that way if her mom took her shopping she could pick out her own stuff....works good for me.....Carolyn...Vicksburg...MS
But you could also take some of her old cloths she can't wear anymore and cut into squares for her to sew with.

To save a few quid - you could make her a pin cushion and needlebook or - make her up little kits for these two items - so they can be her first projects!!

I still have the needlebook I made when I was 6 (a long long time ago) Use it everyday - it is a nice starter project - will try and post a picture later on.

I still have my beginning sewing box from sixth grade! I have som e fabric and embroidery floss from my grandma. The first pattern I sewed is in there. Rickrack is in there. It was one of my favorite things to use back then. I have buttons of all sorts. When you are young, everything needs at least one button. I also have a thimble, all kinds of needles, sewing scissors with my initials on them, tape measure, spools of neutral threads, a seam gauge, and I could go on. Maybe this will give you some great ideas.

If some people who mean something to her contribute, she will be 45 some day, and holding that stuff remembering every person who gave it to her! She will also look at that first clothing pattern, remember sewing it, wearing it, and laugh at the style from way back then!

I kept a nuts & bolt case full of ribbon lace etc for my grand kids so when they came over they knew any thing in it they could use also a scrap bag. They loved going in there and playing with it, we made cards boxes dressed teddy bears to give to their mommy's and were so proud of what they made.

be sure to add a good seam ripper. I recomment Fons And Porter red and cream ripper. It's about $5 and the handle is easy to hold making ripping very easy.

AND BE SURE TO TELL KIDDO that needing to rip seams is NOT a crime. Making mistakes is part of sewing, we all do it, and we all need to feel comfortable about fixing it.

Speaking of needle books, I made personalized needle books for the ladies who quilt at our church. The covers were done in aida cloth with the names cross stitched on. Each had a simple cross stitched border. I also made 4 pages inside from flannel. One was made of felt--------a lot easier and a lot faster. Add a variety of needle sizes, some pins, and a few safety pins.

The book can be quite simple and will be a treat for her, too.

Buy a good used machine. It shouldn't take long to teach her how to use a machine. Most instruction books that come with the machines will cover any issues she has when not with you.

I keep quart sized zip lock freezer bags in my sewing box.

I've got a bag of sewing machine attachments, easier than the box they come in which won't stay shut when the container is joggled around.

One bag contains a few buttons, D-rings,

Another has a few snaps, hooks and eyes.

What your GD has will differ, but the zip lock bags are easy to see thru and won't take as much room as a small plastic container.

One more thing, if you have time before Christmas, you might order a few personalized labels from a sewing site. Keep it simple--------"from the needles of Sissy" or something similar.

Besides the basic notions others suggested already...I was thinking if you got a pattern for one of the cup cake pincushions and the material to make it she would have a project she can start on right away. Also a simple pillow (novelty shape or traditional)made with felt fabric would be something she could make right away. You could have some in her favorite color, or colors to go with her room. She will probably be quite anxious to do something right away. This way she can use her gift later in the day and a gift certificate can be used when it is convienent. I think it is hard for children to have to wait until they can go get items to use their gift.

speaking from experience, a seam ripper!!!!! because they always go missing.
But I'm assuming this is a responsible little eight year old, accompanied by a responsible "instructor," and we won't have to worry about such items being left around where younger children might get into them and hurt themselves.

The shopping trip idea sounds wonderful, as well.

And I think I would throw in some tidbits from my stash.

good luck with your endeavor!

I would include a seam ripper, a couple of spools of brightly colored thread, some nice pins and maybe a magnetic pin holder.

That was a great ideal . I went to Hancocks Fabricks a little whild back they were haveing a half off sale and I picked up 4 sewing baskets , one had sewing supplies in it already and then I bought supplies for the other three, There wrap and ready to go,it was fun to do.

All of the ideas have been very good. I like the idea of the precut blocks. You perhaps could add directions of simple blocks she could put together using these blocks... like a 9- patch, 4-patches, etc.

I bought an inexpensive plastic tool box at Wal-Mart for a portable sewing kit. It is lightweight and the lift out tray holds things nicely. There are also a few compartments under liftup covers on the top of the toolbox and they come in bright colors.

How about a cute homemade pin cushion so she will always have something in her sewing kit handmade by you for years to come.