I learned to sew before I got to home ec. I was making skirts, blouses and a dress by 8th grade. Learned on my grandma's treadle. I am 73 so that was a long time ago. Dad helped me cut out a full circle skirt when I was in 7th grade, and mother was in the hospital. WE didn't know about following grain lines on the pattern and it hung in big ripples. LOL