I lived with my Irish Grandmother for several years while growing up. I was only seven or eight and she said all boys should know how to repair their clothes (sewing buttons etc). She taught me to do this plus quilt, knit, crochet and embroidery. Of course I hated this--I wanted to be outside playing ball and such with the other boys. She made me practice an hour a day. Now that I have been married for 45 years and children are gone I have time to do all the needle work. I made my sons the sweaters and my wife fromals for the military balls attended thru 25 years of service in the Army. I am really glad this lady took the time with me. She was a great Grandmother. She was a good teacher and a the best grandma and I loved her so and do not regret a minute of this time we spent together. I still sew on her 66-1 redeye treadle singer and would sew on none other. Glenn