Question for everyone - when did you learn how to sew? I was 12 and made my first dress in Junior High (also known as Middle School). It was a revelation to me - I learned to follow a pattern and to put in a zipper, do arm and neck facings, and hem a garment. I started making my own dresses for school soon after that. Did a relative teach you? How old were you? Hugs to all, Laura

I learned to sew (by hand) by watching my mum when I was about 3. When she was making clothes, I made things for my dolls with the scraps. I was also given pieces of fabric with transfers to do hand embroidery. I didn't use a machine until much later and learned nothing at school!

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by dailylaundry 22 Nov 2018

You were lucky to learn so much from your Mom!! My Mom could mend anything but had never made a garment. So, unlike you - I got my start at school. You are blessed that your Mom had the skill and patience! Hugs to you!!

Hi Laura, now that bought back memories. I was about 8, sitting by my Nanna's side watching her sew on a Singer Treadle machine. She taught me the love of sewing. I continued onto High School, where I took Sewing as a subject for 4 years and loved every minute of it - my favourite all time sewing article was putting in zippers!
Mum bought me my first sewing machine a Singer and then I got a Lemair Helvetia for my 21st and it went on from there. I got Husqvarnas from my late 20's onwards till this day (except I bought myself the Brother Quattro for my 60th).
At the moment I am mentoring Ophelie (8 years old) as she shows such interest and I hope that it continues. Love Chris

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by dailylaundry 22 Nov 2018

Isn't it exciting that Ophelie is interested!! Your knowledge and patience will be so wonderful for her to learn such a rewarding skill!! Bravo! Hugs to you!

I also learned in middle school and HATED every minute of it. My mom, grandmother and sister could sew with their eyes closed but it was not my cup of tea. Had someone told me that 20 years later I would start what would be my favorite past time, i would have looked at them like they had 3 heads lol.
You never know what life has in store.

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by dailylaundry 22 Nov 2018

Your favorite past time - I love that!!! You are right - you never know what life has in store!!! Hugs to you!

I too learned in junior high home economics. I was in the ninth grade. Also a dress. I fell in love and got my first machine that year. I needed more help tho and that came from a little elderly Italian lady who lived next door. She taught me the importance of uniform seams and how it all goes together to make a garment. I am forever grateful to all who encouraged me in this hobby. Hugs. Nan W

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by dailylaundry 22 Nov 2018

Nan, you will never forget that dear lady that help you. I believe we all are grateful for our mentors - thank heavens for them!!! Hugs to you!!

I actually learned when I was five...my mom sewed all our clothes and home decorated items...She came home one day and I had gotten her sewing machine out, set it up on the table, plugged it in...it was not threaded, but that did not stop me...I had a long piece of fabric and I had to stand up to reach the foot pedal...I was running the piece of fabric through under the foot and the needle was going 100 mph as the fabric moved under the presser foot...when I got to the end, I started over again...I really thought I was sewing...my mom was horrified that I would hurt myself...so she decided if I was "old" enough to get that far by myself, I was old enough for her to begin to teach me...I also use to have those heavy cardboard printed cards with long shoelace type "thread" that you stitched in and out of the per-punched holes in the printed cardboard pieces...I got those when I was about three...

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by dailylaundry 21 Nov 2018

Oh, my I bet she was shocked to find you "sewing" all by yourself at such a young age! With your Mom's skill - no wonder you are such a great seamstress!!! Hugs to you!

I was 10. My mom sewed a little and got me interested so I took a 4H sewing class. I made the basic apron and laundry bag then I wanted to make a dress so I picked a pattern. The teacher said it would be to hard because it had a zipper and inset sleeves. I did it anyway and won a blue ribbon at the county fair. I used that dress in the school play because they happened to pick the same dress for all the girls! After that I was self taught. By the time I got to middle school I was way ahead of their classes so I took them anyway for fun and I was the teacher's aid. For years I sewed and crafted everything: my clothes, pillows, curtains. I went to college as a music major my first year then switched to Apparel Design and received my certificate for that. Then I worked doing alterations until I worked at fabric stores and eventually managed one. I consider myself a seamstress and crafter. I don't like the work "maker". I guess I'm "old school". I still do my craft every extra minute I have : )

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by dailylaundry 21 Nov 2018

Wow, how impressive!!! You really learned and enjoyed sewing early on!! So cool to read!! Hugs to you!

In school at about the age of 10. I remember the frustration of making the trundle machine go forward. I think it was a apron. Knitting, crochet and hand embroidery all was part of the curriculum. Hated it then and love it now. 😊😊

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by dailylaundry 21 Nov 2018

You used a trundle machine - how sweet! I wish I owned one!! I am not a hand embroiderer - wish I was. Who has the patience at 10 for those things?? Hugs to you!

Oh boy, Laura.....I tried to learn to sew in jr high and teacher made us all wear the blouses we made in class......it was humiliating (bright red chintz material) and even though I laugh about it today, the teasing we all got when we had to wear them was horrible and I never sat at a sewing machine again until I started doing the embroidery stuff...….it is amazing how childhood traumas can change the course of our lives.....and these blouses didn't even have a zipper....LOL....I don't know where the fear of putting in zippers came from?

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by dailylaundry 21 Nov 2018

Oh, how sad!!! Just think how different your attitude towards sewing could have been!! At that age - being embarrassed is the worse!!! Well that talent is there though!!! Hugs, Laura

by basketkase 21 Nov 2018

It's hiding pretty good, Laura....LOL! I will get there, I hope, some day.....I keep getting so inspired by all you cuties that sew...am amazed at the creations......