patchsamkim

I have a very special aunt who got me started on sewing...she was an excellent seamstress, also a quilter, and very creative, did a lot of her own designs.
I spent my summers at her house...she had 8 kids, and there was always room for another. My uncle had a Christmas tree farm, and I would help prune trees for the summer. On rainy days we would do craft/sewing projects.
I credit her with getting me to love sewing, as my mother had tried, and either I didn't have the patience to learn from her, or she didn't have the patience to teach me.
My aunt now has macular degeneration, so unfortunately, is not able to sew anymore, but she did pass on her love of sewing to me, and I do have one wall quilt she made, and I have given her one of mine.

Rainybug

My mother taught me to sew on my great grandmothers treadle machine. I was around 8 years old. I have a picture of my dad at 3 standing outside and in the back ground is the machine. GGM would have the men take it outside as soon as the snow had started to clear. That way she could sew with natural light AND get out of the house after the long winter.
My mother is gone now, little did she know what she started...I sewed my way through collage, am a registered historical seamstress, teach sewing, member of a quilt guild. Thanks to my mother and great grandmother. Oh, and I still have that old treadle machine it is my pride and joy and is still in use.

the casual quilter

My Great Aunt, Jennie. She was a wonderful piecer and hand quilter.

S D G

My mother started me sewing when I was around 8-10 not sure. I have sewed all of these years. Mother started quilting about 25 year ago, maybe more, but in the last 3-4 years I have started quilting. My grandmother and 1 aunt quilted also. So I guess it is in our blood.

Rainybug

I know what you mean, SDG, I am finding more and more family that sew or knit or such. Really must be in the blood.

MawMaw B

I've always been around people who sew. I'm Cajun by birth and both grandmothers (both gone now) and my mother sewed. I learned at age 10 on grandmother's treadle machine for a 4-H apron project. I now have that machine in my living room. I inherited it from my dad's mother. She made quilts for all the grandkids and her children. My mother's mom sewed baby dresses by hand to make extra money for the family. A company in New Orleans would send them the patterns and fabric and the ladies would make them. Those were hard times. My mother is 86 and still makes beautiful baby clothes by hand. She has a good reputation and the clothes are one of a kind. She says she does it just to have something to do... and she does it well. I hope that a little bit of her talent has rubbed off.

quilterella

My DM and DGM knit and crocheted. While I did enjoy knitting, I could never get the hang of crocheting. Neither of them quilted, but, I did love their crafts and the time spent doing them. I am a self-taught quilter, and hopefully my DGDs will pickup my passion.

Mamagoat

I learned to sew on my grandmothers treadle machine.She died when mother was 17 so I never knew her.She quilted too. About 10 years ago, a friend found a old lady who taught us to quilt.We had a class every thurs. morn.After Ms.Dee started going blind we had to quit.But she gave me her Singer 401,she bought in1954.That little machine has quiltd thousands of quilts.Plus I have fabrics & cut out pieces. Ms.Dee dau. doesn't sew or care to. She has one grandson.Ms Dee lives with her batchlor son now.
I piddle with scraps & make tops for blankets.But never made a design till I met Ms.Dee.She taught me so much & is such a dear person.

patchsamkim

I am loving reading all your stories...hope to hear more!

kateyb

My mom taught me how to embroider when I was 9. Her cousin, Mae taught me how to sew. Mae's mom, Aunt Laura, did quilting. When I was 10 I remember watching her hand piece. She could no longer walk but pieced wool tops from used clothing that was given to her. My mom had an uncle who was a tailor and my dad had an aunt who was a seamstress who made beautiful hand beaded clothing. My grandmother did tatting. My husband's grandmother taught me to crochet. I think it is in the genes.