Reddit reviews Simple Sewing: 30 Fast and Easy Projects for Beginners

I learned sewing as a kid, and I think I made about a bazillion pillowcases and rectangle bags. When I picked the hobby back up this year, I started with aprons and pajama pants - both garments, but simple ones that would never be seen in public in case they looked terrible. (And yes, they totally looked terrible!)

To go with the sewing machine, I'd consider getting her a book or two with sewing projects (like Simple Sewing: 30 Fast and Easy Projects for Beginners, and/or a gift card to the craft store.

I just said this to someone else in another thread, but the beginner sewing books have exhaustive lists of all supplies needed complete with pictures. I mostly sew apparel, so I don't have a great recommendation for a beginner book that covers kids clothes and decor, but maybe something like this would work http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Sewing-Fast-Projects-Beginners/dp/1462112889/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1418697253&sr=8-5&keywords=beginner+sewing
You can literally buy everything listed in the beginning supplies section and I bet she will use everything.

If you want the best quality scissors, get Gingher. In my opinion a rotary cutter is a bit too advanced for a beginner but that's up to you. Also, a magnetic pincushion is a lifesaver. For marking a clover chaco pen liner is awesome. http://www.amazon.com/Clover-Style-Chaco-Liner-White/dp/B0016ZZOEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418697586&sr=8-1&keywords=chaco+pen+liner The biggest expense in sewing aside from a machine is probably fabric so you might give her a certificate for somewhere where she can choose some fabric once she's a little more familiar with sewing.