I enjoyed watching the video, BookSaver. That would be a good one for Quilts of Valor sew-ins. Fun to watch it emerge from inside-out beginnings.
Dd and I were off to the fabric store today when I picked her up from school. She is very used to that place, and in fact knows it rather well, especially the cottons and quilting aisles of course, plus the jewelry making aisle she likes. But today, I had her own sewing skills on my mind, and had jotted down some pattern numbers from the internet. We chose New Look patterns, so none cost more than $3.90, and chose "easy".
This is the one she thinks she'd like to try first. From this one she can learn zipper insertion, single- and double-pointed darts, and either sleeve facings or set-in sleeves, depending on the style she'd like. We bought a poly fabric that gives the impression of a wool plaid in violet. So that will work for winter without being heavy. I also got a princess-seamed pattern, because I remember my amazement when I first made a princess-seamed dress and saw how nicely it could fit without much work (back when I was shaped like manufacturers expected). I think it has a lot of possibilities.