IraJane

One of the first 4-H projects is a drawstring bag. Choose a fabric with a theme she loves. Google a pattern.

Mariah

Our DGD was sewing on the featherweight briefly a couple of Summers ago, and loved it. I had some Blue Check Gingham. It made it easy for her to stay on the line where there was something already there for a guide. She just made straight lines that day. She wanted to come back to make something using the same fabric. They moved, tho, so it made it more difficult. I wouldn't have thought of the check fabric had I been trying!! It just came to me as I pulled it out of the stash. Good luck!Mariah

MargeD

I think that a doll quilt might be a good place to start, it's small enough that it will finish quickly and she will have wonderful memories of you making the quilt together. Also a simple 9-patch or even a one-patch lap quilt would be a good project. At that age my Mom was teaching me to sew simple aprons (although people don't use them as much any more, however, I'm sloppy when I cook/bake, so I always have one available), gathered and pleated skirts and in addition, teaching me embroidery. Those are still very special memories to me, especially since she passed away over 40 years ago, but they are a true treasure to me.

purplefiend

My daughter's first projects were a simple skirt with an elastic waist, a pillow case,9 patch and 4 patch blocks. She made a doll quilt with her blocks. She's 26 now and makes many of her own garments. I taught her to sew when she was 10.
Sharon

BETTY62

I taught my niece to make tube pillowcases because it was something that could be completed in a short amount of time and was a fairly easy project. Being able to see the quick results gave her the confidence she needed to realize she could sew. Sewing is now one of her favorite hobbies and she is learning to quilt.

momsobon

Jenny Doan has a utube on a skirt made with a charm pack....and how about shorts. My GD is 10 and we made a tote bag and another one of her friends Sydney made the skirt and did the jellyroll race....she just loved the Jenny Doan utube videos. Sydney watched them over and over to make sure she was doing it right...everyone wanted to know where she learned this and she said her Nana in NJ......I was tickled since she is not my GD...

IrishgalfromNJ

My very first sewing project in home ec in 7th grade was making a gingham half apron and we measured everything by counting the squares on the gingham. It was really cool. I wish I could find a pattern for that apron on line. It was super simple. The skirt of the apron was gathered and the waistband/ties were really easy to attach.

I hope you have fun teaching your young lady how to sew. She will love you for the lessons and the memories will never leave her.

raedar63

Kids this age seem to like those drawstring backpacks, there are lots of free patterns/tutorials online. I have made a few and used ribbon (because that is what I had on hand) instead of cording and they went over well with the kids I made them for.

stablemom

I was going to suggest this as well.

Maire

My 9 yr granddaughter recently made tissue covers-the ones for pocket size tissue pk to keep in a purse. There are several free pattern if you google pocket tissue covers. They come out really cute, are fast & easy, a confidence builder. We her help I made 90 from animal prints for the local animal shelter to use for a fundraiser.