So glad so many of you learned to sew in Home Ec classes, having been a Home Ec teacher for many, many years. Started sewing when I was about five. I learned on the old Singer treadle (I loved the story of Rumpelstilskin, so with the old treadle I was able to "spin much, much gold!!) As I got a few years older, if I did the mending I didn't have to do the dishes -- great incentive! I made my first quilt when I was in fourth grade, and I still have it. And I still like to "leave the dishes" and sew.