I learned as a small child with my Grandma...I recieved my own sewing box and learned how to hand sew blocks... Slowly over time I graduated to the machine... I can not remember a time when I was not "helping' her :lol: I loved quilting then and I love quilting even more now...

The machine is one thing, but watch out for the rotary cutter. Safety first!

My earliest memory of sewing was probably when I was 4. My Mom had a White machine and then that broke and she had inherited the old black singer with the gold scroll work. She had it rewired and a foot pedal attached and she still sews on that today. I learned to make pot holders first and then moved on from there. I have a daughter who started to dapple with the machine which was a cheap singer when she was 5. She is now 12 and let me just tell you she loves what the Bernina can do. She is intimidated by the Bernina though which is a good thing. Best to always be safe and cautious. But, I too say that if they show an interest then it is time to start makiing something. No matter how simple they will love it because they created it. :-) I know I always did and so did Katie. My son Buddy is 11 and is now asking to sew. Why NOT!!!! Time to get him started. Every man should be able to run a machine.

What a great question. I taught my daughter the basics when she was young? Maybe 8 or so? Then when she was a teenager she made her sleeping PJ pants and shorts from flannel. She did a great job. She knows enough to get by and mend something, but never did really like it. Now she's buying her first house, and on the phone yesterday she said "I think I'll make the curtains."

I've heard that sewing skips everyother generation. If grandma sews, then mom usually doesn't sew much, not feeling as good as grandma, then granddaughter takes it up again. That's true in my family. My grandma sewed, my mother barely gets by, but my sisters and I all sew up a storm.

Most off, if your child has an interest, by all means teach! (notice I said child, because boys and men) sew too! As all of you know, sewing is a great way to spread your imagination. Stitch on! Sara

My granddaughters were 5 & 7 when I showed them how to sew on buttons one day to occupy them, they absolutely were entranced. From there we started doing simple sewing and they are pretty darn good at it now and love it. My DIL is now interested in learning to quilt, never having had any exposure to it. I think we all need a hobby of some sort so am thrilled about them doing it.
P.S. we have never had an accident w/machine. :D

My grandma taught me when I was 7. I remember because the next year when I turned 8, I could finally join 4-H. I started on gingham fabric so I would have a line to follow. Made an apron that summer. Now I have that machine-It is a Singer Featherweight. Kind of looks like a kids machine-it is so cute!

Oh to be blessed with a daughter that is interested. My DD would rather jump from perfectly good airplanes and ride the ATV. She is not much for sitting in one place long enough to learn. She said I can teach her daughter instead someday. : )

Have fun with it!

I was sewing when I was 6. Can't remember when I got my first sewing machine. But Janome suggests age 8. And one of these!

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...hellokitty.jpg

M

Miss treated you just showed the one I'm getting for my granddaughters. We do love Hello Kitty, and its a Janome. What more could we want. :lol:

I saw several on ebay, around $50. My friend with the twins wants to get one each for their birthdays. I can just see all of them sitting at the dining room table, sewing away!!

M

my son was mesmorized by the mechanics of my sewing machine from the time that he was three. he had to know what made it work, so 'helped' me take it apart for cleaning one day. after that i couldn't hold him down. he had to do it! when he was four, he sat on my lap and began stitching. now forty and married, he is still the mender in his household on his wife's inherited singer. she herself has almost no interest. he can mend and patch and close up opened seams, and is happy that he is self-reliant in one more way.