My Mom always sewed. She made our dresses, patched my Dad's and brother's pants, turned the collars around on their shirts to get a bit more wear out of them, sewed for Grandma (who never learned to read a pattern but could make her housedresses from whole cloth).
I am the youngest of four children and did not have a 'bought' dress until I was 16! I was never taught how to put two or three patterns together to have this neckline and that sleeve and the other skirt, but I absolutely know how to do it!! I was the one who was outside doing chores and helping Daddy. But somehow or other, all that knowledge seeped into my brain anyway. I just cannot remember a time when I did not know how to sew, even tho I also cannot remember sewing anything before leaving home.
Guess it was osmosis!
And I have my middle sister to thank for infecting me with the Quilting Bug. Thanks Sis!!