Get one of the patterns for the pajama bottoms that all the young girls wear.They're simple,and if she makes a mistake,she won't have to worry so much about it,as only she and your family will know.Of course if you can help her fix the mistake,she'll learn from that,but it won't be the end of the world.Also get an all over print,something she doesn't have to match up.Good luck to you both.
kathi

What a great idea. Thank you so much!

She could also make a simple pillowcase or pillow. You could get her to do a 4 patch front so she could learn about lining up the seams, cutting so that she has the correct seam allowance. A 2 piece skirt is also a good starter...elastic waist kind of thing. Your best guide is to look for patterns with few pieces and perhaps have "beginner" or "basic" notation.

did you look at the pillowcase dress idea here on this site (just go to the bottom of the page and under search type in pillowcase dress) - that would make a cute top for a young girl.....doesn't have to be a dress remember. Look at the photos LoganHogan has posted...show your DD and ask it she would like to try something along those lines.......they seem quite easy to do and are so cute.

I just helped my niece make pj bottoms as her first sewing lesson on her new machine. At Joann's for new sewers they made the pj bottoms and a bag to carry them in out of the same fabric. The kids loved it! Also a pillow case would be easy and fun to have match for overnighters.
Kathy G in MI

I'm trying to get my 12 year old granddaughter interested in sewing, so I wish you lots of luck. She's very skinny & I have to "remake" a lot of her clothes. I told her it would be real helpful if she would learn to sew because she was going to have to take in everything all her life or pay an arm & a leg to have someone fix them for her. She said she'll just get a good job!

But...sewing something with fleece would be a good starter project. An eye glass case cut out with a decorative rotary cutter or scissors. A pillow with a decorative edge cut & seamed leaving the seams exposed. A 2 layer blanket with the same edge. A scarf (could be reversible), hat or head band. Green Pepper has lots of patterns for fleece & JoAnn's carries them.

All the pattern books have a section with "easy" patterns.

Let us know how she does.

Kwik Sew has 'Learn to sew' patterns. You can sometimes find them for less on eBay.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kwik Sew

Running the machine without a needle, bobbin or thread is great practice for beginners. Sewing with a needle (no thread) around designs printed on paper also helps. The more she can 'drive' the machine before and even after she makes something, the more comfortable she'll be using it by herself.

Sock monkeys are quick, fun and easy to make. They need a little machine work, and always turn out great. Here's a good tutorial for them. You'll wonder why you haven't already made a hundred, and every girl loves them. Linda

Here is a link that might be useful: Sock Monkey Tutorial

My suggestion - Use natural fabrics. As cute as they are, many polyesters are impossible to sew easily and require a little "expertise" to get them to work around curves, press up 1/4 inch, etc. Start her with cottons.