I bought my own sewing machine when I was about 16 and still living at home. Most of the times I've used it to adjust the length of my curtains (few and easy to count).
Being home with A I talked two other mothers (also beginners of sewing) into making princess dresses for our older daugthers (4-5 years of age).
I mean - how hard can it be?

Three beginners, three babies and three months later we've finished.

The dress is best at a distance but N likes it and she now have her own princess dress.

N was OK with me making a cat for another baby and I promised to make her one as well. I even bought yarn in pink and purple (her two favorite colors, being 4.5 years). However she wanted one that looked the same. Me being a nice mother (I think) I went along and the sibling without heart problem is almost ready (3 paws missing).