Right. Dd and I have acquired a sewing machine...

[seeker]

.....where do we start?

(She's 17, by the way, so I don't have to think about things like she sewing her fingers together. Well, she might, but no more likely to than I am, and it will be her fault....)

Well, what kinds of things do you want to make?!

Very first thing to do is gather old scraps of fabric and try out the stitches. Practice adjusting tension etc.

Loads of free patterns online though be sensible about your first project- no knit fabrics for example!

And use old sheets etc to practice on- my mum bought some from charity shops for me ( I started age 7 with an old singer that had the see-saw type foot plate at the bottom, and only a straight stitch!)

Her goal is to make pyjama trousers.

Mine is to make cushion covers.

We lead small, sheltered lives!

Charity shop sheets is a brilliant idea- I will buy some today!

Cushion covers are easy peasy- pj pants might be a little harder. Def go for a pattern or tutorial for those! Places like Pinterest are fab for tutorials. Also for inspiration... And wasting hours of your life.... ;)

Thank you. She and her friends are great pyjama bottom wearers, and she wants to be able to make them as presents. She is very determined- I reckon she'll be able to do that before I produce a cushion cover!

Try colettepatterns.com and download the free pattern for the sorbetto top....no closures and only 2 pieces plus bias binding which you can buy ready made.