I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what to include in sewing box for my 8 year old for christmas. She is asking santa this year for a sewing machine. I need (inexpensive) ideas of things to include. I will have to share my little stash of fabric with her because I think it is more important that she has the other stuff to go with her machine rather than her own stash.
All ideas are appreciated.
Tina

Perhaps a gift certificate or a shopping trip together would be more fun. Limit the dollar amount and take her on a "stock the sewing basket" trip (maybe include a light lunch). It is our time they want. A sewing machine is a great gift.

Scissors, tape measure, some rulers, pins, pin cushion , needles, threader, thimbles

Not sure at that age that I would give her a rotary cutter , she might try to use it without supervision :shock:

Definitely a few patterns or a book with easy projects she can start right away (accessories for dolls, a cushion for her room, scrunchies for her hair, etc)

Some handmade vouchers for a "masterclass" with you

I found the nicest little pair of scissors at Dollar Tree they are with the school supplies Fiskers with a pointed end and a cover for the tip they cut through fabric like butter. a 6 inch ruler, pencils for marking sewing lines to start. extra sewing machine needles, thread. I made my Granddaughters sewing basket I will take a pic and post it in a bit.

Here is a picture of the one I made for my Granddaughter I used a small basket from Dollar tree and made a cover to fit, covered it with fabric and added a pin cushion to the top, I also included a template for her. I cut a bunch of charm squares to get her started also.

chocolate
seam ripper
ruler
pins
cute pin cushion
scissors

Oh this sounds like fun!!!

How about starting her a "library" of patterns. You could print free patterns on line and put them in a three ring binder - lots of inspiration when looking through. I would do scissors, pins, ruler, pin cushion, thread, etc. - just the basics to get her going! What a fun Christmas break the two of you will have together!!!

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions and the wonderful picture. I think I was trying to make this more stressful than it should have been.

Oh you have just given me a great idea for my little ones birthday! Thank you! Thank you!

I would do the basics, like everyone else said. I'd also choose a few fabrics...not stash building, per say, just something that is just hers, kwim? Like a charm pack or a few co-ordinating FQ's. Nothing big...you could even pull from your own stash and cut some for her.

Don't forget to put a seam ripper in!!! Several spools of thread. I love to see the young kids interested in getting started in sewing.

Make a really cute pincushion with some pins with fun tops. You've got lots of ideas here...My granddaughter loves to collect fabric and has her own box at my house. You won't have to spend a lot of money to get a fun basket for her.

when my granddaughter asked for a sewing machine - i gave her a quilt box with all the things mentioned already - but i think at 8 yrs old some precut blocks would be a good thing. that way she is ready to start on her own quilt immediately.

Maybe toss in some fusible web, applique can be a fun beginner project too :D:D:D
A few spools of brightly colored thread?

I'd get her a pattern book geared towards teens or make her a binder full of ones you found online with the patterns in plastic sheet protector sleeves.

I'd get her the longer pins, a magnetic pin cushion (I looove those things!) and maybe a tool organizer. You could either make or buy one of those.

You could also start her off with good habits and include a pair of glasses - either with no change in vision or the reading types to protect her eyes.

There are just so many notions out there that if I were in the same position, I'd go overboard!
It also really all depends on what kind of sewing she wants to do.

I hope you are getting her a "real" sewing machine that she can grow into.

I would have said seam ripper. Mine is connected to me.

So many great suggestions, I need to look up a pattern for a pin cushion and tool organizer.
Bearisgray, yes she is getting a real sewing machine. It will be new to her but it is actually an older Singer, that I found on Craigslist and took it in for a checkup.

How about a used machine, either at a yard sale, thrift store or even your local sewing machine shop. The last machine I got at the local Humane Society store, is a 70's Kenmore, works great and the best thing is, it cost me $10.00.

My Mom gave me a sewing basket for Christmas when I was 10. It had all the sewing goodies, and a kit to sew a stuffed dog and some quilt squares. That gift stands out amoung my childhood favorites.

My DD just started taking an intrest in sewing. Pillowcases are her favorite things to sew. She loves making them for herself as well as friends and family.

At that age cutting can be rather problematic. They just do not have the patience for accuate cutting. Maybe put in some 6 or 8 inch precut squares that she can get right to the sewing part.
or a few fat quarters. At that age I was pretty intriged with sparkly or shinny fabrics and anything purple.
My Mom gave her granddaughter a good pair of sissors that she took to an engraver, and had a message for her on them. No it was not ... Do not use on paper!

I'm putting together the same sort of thing (but only for hand sewing) for my daughter for christmas. I'm thinking a bunch of different embroidery threads, cute needle book and pincushion, scissors, a charm pack, a spool of thread, and maybe a kids sewing book with projects (but the idea of printing out stuff from the internet is good, too. There are a lot of cute cute projects and tutorials online).

I plan to share my stash with her, as well, but I figure a charm pack will give her something to "play with", trying out fabric combinations and the precut pieces will be good for her since she can't cut well at all.

How about some marking pens or pencils, or tailors chalk? Also a seam gauge. If she's going to quilt, maybe a set of basic acrylic templates.

all really good ideas - I have a 6 year old granddaughter that is beginning to show some interest - I love the ideas here

UpNorth, that is the cutest basket! I want to make one!!!!!!!!

I have seen a great book for kids learning to use a sewing machine. I just googled "beginners sewing book for kids" and several titles came up - one of those might help her get started.

How about the magnatic bar so you can mark the 1/4 inch for her so she can easily have a straight line.............I gave my grandaughters sewing machines for their 10th birthday. They love them and they have already made quilts.

I have a magnetic pin dish with a cover that would be great for a young sewer. Won't have to worry about spilled pins or pins coming out of a pin cushion.

I am also teaching my 8 year old granddaughter to sew. She was having trouble keeping her stitches straight so I got her a presser foot with a 1/4" seam guide. It's been a great help to her. Also I cut blocks for her so we have ready-to-go projects to work on together. (I'm still nervous about handing her the rotary cutter!) I've made patterns for her to take home and she has traced them and cut them out with a scissors. A few easy patterns are fun. Right now we are working on the tiny treat bags for Halloween from the "Quilts and More" magazine, fall issue. She loves it and is making one for each of her classmates. She's providing the bags and the room mother will fill them up with candy & such. Have fun with her!

You could include one yard of cotton print in her favorite theme (kitties, butterflies, whatever), enough to do a bed pillow. Then take her shopping for the rest of the kit items she needs to do the pillow - scissors, etc.

She will appreciate you being nearby while she sews. You could both work at the kitchen table, on different projects. As said before, it is the gift of time that will never be forgotten.

How about a small journal book to track her projects?

If you have a baby lock dealer in your area they have a nice little machine for $99.00. They had the same deal last year and I got each of my grandaughters one. I believe it is the BL9. I have sewed with it and it is really nice. Would be nice for an extra machine to take to sewing classes.

As for a tool organizer, if she is close by and you can help her there are several good patterns out there, and you could get the fabric and pre-cut and then help her sew it as her first project. It will also teach her several skills at the same time.

Maybe a simple pattern for her to make. Like maybe enough material to make herself a pillow case for her bed.

I was given a toy sewing machine. it was not a good idea. buy her a good machine used on craigs list. She will do much better. I gave my daughter my machine at 7 and my son as well both are great sewers. My grand daughter at 6 got one of my good machines and also does well. Remember the better the tools the better results. Its is worth the maybe 25-50$ is well worth it. Let her do a small quilt so she does not get overwhelmed. or maybe a pot holder or place mat. Or just a string bag to start. Good luck and have fun.

I do sewing lessons with my grandaughter (age 6)... she uses my tools and machine and with supervision has made several things ... pj bottoms, pillowcase, purse size kleenex covers, rag quilt, doll clothes, totebag some are more perfect than others but she loves it and is learning so much and it great one on one grandma time!
You could make her a needlecase and pincushion that would be special.

love the journal idea. some day she can look back & see"spent the sewing with Nanna". give her a stash of pre-cut blocks (5")or so. ask your friends to wrap up some pre-cut blocks also to get surprise & variety. she can learn 4-patch, then 9-patch, etc. good marker for her seams.(blue tape, etc.)
a micro cart could make her ironing surface on the top,under neath could be her own place for her stuff.then it could wheel out of the way when she is not there. foot pedal on a big block of wood so her little feet can easily reach it.

I used to buy the panel fabrics for my girls. They had storybook characters, dolls, animals, aprons. They're a lot of fun for kids (and moms!)

Is a Simplicity #30516 First Fashions LockStitcher considered a "real" sewing machine? I'd like to get one for my granddaughter, but her parents aren't thrilled with the idea of having to help her use it as neither of them sew. I only see her a couple of weeks a year as we live several states apart. She is 7. I don't know if she could manage this machine with just a few lessons from me or if it's really just inappropriate anyway.
Any thoughts you'd like to share out there?

I probably wouldn't purchase a sewing machine if I wasn't close by to help ... what about teaching her hand sewing, embroidery or crocheting?