osewfast

I suggest a real machine, too. Modest 'bells & whistles' until you know if she'll keep up the interest in sewing. Then maybe an upgrade for her 16th birthday. (That's when I got my first real machine. I learned on my mom's ancient 1945 White. )
I also suggest making simple stuffed animals and things like that at first. The least amount of frustrations = a happy new sew-ist. 4-H is a good suggestion, too. (I too learned sewing with my local 4-H club and still have a few ribbons from the county fair to proof it! hahaha!)
Good luck!!!
DOnna MC

JulieR

Whoever mentioned Skype, 100x yes! Find a Facetime, Skype, or other application that allows you to see each other, and schedule time to video chat. Good luck!

SillySusan

I volunteered as the "craft lady" in a local thrift shop for years and have seen many of these silly machines come in... unused, misused and abused. They are harder to operate than a real sewing machine! You can pick up an inexpensive real one at Walmart that she will appreciate much more. The one you are planning to give her may discourage her interest in sewing....

themadpatter

My newest bff in my neighborhood is my across the street neighbor's 8 year old daughter. (Maybe she's 10, lol, I keep forgetting!) Anyway, Mike got a machine from someone he knows, and she brought it over for me to look at because it wouldn't keep tension. It was a White Mighty Mender W100, and I got it to tension, but its a flimsy little thing. I gave her the Singer 285K from my collection. It's all cleaned, oiled, and humming, so she won't have any problems with that. I had planned on giving her a machine, but I wasn't sure which one to give her. I was a little bit concerned because most of the candidates are straight stitch only, but the White is, too, so i decided that wouldn't be a problem. We shuffled it across the street, stopping every 10 feet to rest, and its in a spot where she can use it easily. In a few years, if she's still sewing, I'll upgrade her to one with bells, whistles, and cams.

The only real difference between Layliana and your DGD is that she can come over and ask me if she has a problem. Can your DGD come stay with you for a week this summer, and go to "Sewing Camp?"

nightquilter

I know it isn't quilting, but I have a pattern for a apron that is double sided that takes 1 yard of fabric, very easy to make, I usually cut out the pattern and give to young girls as small gifts when they have had surgery or have been sick and need to stay in-doors. It is a quick easy project and teaches straight seam. I think you have done a wonderful thing for your dgd.

stillvnu

Pillowcase, charm square coasters, string backpack, simple pillows … easy projects for a new seamstress! Good luck!

Aurora

You might check a machine repair shop. My guy is one of the Sew and Vacuum shops. He also sells used machines and is a wealth of information and guidance.

Shorebird

Do not forget about FACETIME! It can be a wonderful thing when she is learning, and you are showing. It also can combine learning sessions with remote-visits! I cannot tell you how many "issues" I have had crop up that were very quickly resolved with a FACETIME call.

tikiohanamama

I am not in Canada. I live in the U.S. JOANN rarely offered sewing classes in my town. When they did class was 4-6 people and fees were ridiculosly priced. Then they’d cancel the class. Adult night School was difficult because they had strict requirements for enrollment. Then the classes would cancel due to low enrollment. After a year our Community center offered weekly classes for 3-1/2 hours long for $75/mo. Just before I found the Community Classic. I was going to lessons from a lady who responded to a post i listed on line. At the center They even supplied sewing machines for those who didn’t hape one. My Auntie bought me a cheap can’t sew for nothing machine! I got a Project Runway sewing machine From Amazon +/-$80! I LOVE IT! Also check out small mom & pop sewing repair shops! Best wishes to you! Mahalo

ArtsyOne

You've received plenty of posts about machines, so I'll stick with the project idea. What I usually do for absolute beginners is cut enough 8.5" muslin squares to make a lap quilt (about 10). Then I draw a 2" line diagonally down the center of 3 or 4 squares. Keep the first square just with the lines on it, sew a strip of fabric along a line of the second square (don't iron the strip back, so she'll know where to sew), a second strip along the facing line of the 3rd square, and then add a 3rd strip to a square that has 2 strips already sewn onto it. Then on a 4th square that is covered with strips, turn it over and trim to the original 8.5" size so she'll see how it turns out. Basically, you're making step-by-step "show and tell" for a string quilt. Package it up with leftovers from your projects. When she's ready to join the squares, you can visit and help her. It's always been a big hit with newbies young and old, male and female.