What about a basic tote bag and use webbing for handles or the square baskets mentioned elsewhere on the board, or some little felt owls or hearts for hanging on a chrustmas tree.

My nephews designed their own quilts on paper. The youngest about 5 at time watched older brother draw a layout etc of what he wanted. After along time of silence when I was wondering what he was up to. He produced a piece of paper with 5 year old squares and inside he had tried to draw dinosaurs. Brother was very much colours in a specific order , little one wasn't bothered about colours just dinosaurs in squares.
I did most of the sewing at home but they both helped to sandwich and did do some quilting. 2 boys one machine and only a few hours did mean sharing. Ask the children to design their own .if they are at school they will know what to do.

how about mug rug , coffee cup cozy, tote to hold marker and paper, poler fls. hats, scarfs, blankets.

My grands make pillowcases when they are 7 - when they are 9 I pay for them to attend a sewing camp. This year my 11 year old granddaughter made pajama pants, an apron, and a Professional Tote, and a Classmate Bag. Let your grandchild's ability dictate what she makes. Let her make pillowcases and aprons as Christmas gifts.

You might also think about a simple skirt pattern for her. Not too difficult to master and she might like the fact that she made her own clothes! I agree the doll clothes might be a bit challenging for her at the moment. Pillow cases, more jammies, that kind of thing. See if she wants to do the clothing thing; home dec; or quilting (or all of it) before investing in lots of things for 1 specific type of sewing.

Try a jelly roll quilt! It will give her great practice stitching straight lines!

My 11 (then) year old grandson and his 9 year old sister had a great time making pillowslips for their beds. I think she enjoyed the process, but he just liked the foot pedal on the sewing machine!

Superior threads is starting a monthly lesson with supplies for young people to learn to sew. Check out their website.

Great - thanks for the tip! I will check them out.

I was going to vote for pillowcases, but that's been suggested a few times. LOL. The idea about a simple tote bag is a great idea IMO.

I would look to the personality of the person. By the time I was 12, I was making most of my own clothes - home dec never would have entered my mind. Back in the olden days, we did not wear shorts and pants to school, so I liked to make skirts.