No one in my family quilted so I am completely self taught, though my Mum was a tailoress and dressmaker,maybe there wasn't the money for anything else, all my clothes were made from cut downs. Of late she has done cross stitch but generally hates hand sewing, and now at 97yrs cannot do it, I on the other hand far prefer hand sewing both for its effect and the relaxation it gives me(unless it goes wrong!!!!!!!!!!)