Audrey has been showing interest in sewing again - a few weeks ago she asked to make a toy. Yes! After looking around for ideas (ie: me reigning in her wonderfully grand plans to something a little more suitable for a beginner), we settled on this bird (pattern from my book). She needed a little help wrangling the machine/following the pattern, but mostly managed it herself. When we've tried this kind of thing before it's ended in frustration on her part. Eight must be the magical sew-all-by-yourself age we were waiting for all along.
On the subject of sewing patterns, some of my PDF patterns are now available through Pink Chalk Fabric. And, as always, here, too. :)