Out of financial necessity my mother always sewed all of our clothes and also home dec. Although I learned to knit and crochet by age 8, I was never interested in sewing. I had to take home ec in 8th grade. All the rest of the girls made a gathered skirt but because I was fat the teacher had me make an apron. The humiliation turned me off of anything domestic for years. It shocked all my friends and family when I won the "homemaker of tomorrow" award sponsered by Betty Crocker. The three years I was in nursing school I lived in uniforms or my quilted bathrobe. I was so poor upon graduation and had to buy a car. I had just met my now husband, dating 4 times a week and no money for clothes. I took a few sewing classes at the Jr. College and was hooked. I made all my little girl's clothes, prom and bridesmaid's dresses as well as my uniforms. About 8 years ago I took a quilting class in adult ed so garment sewing and home dec have been on the back burner ever since.