I learned to sew before I started school, by sitting under my mother's sewing machine extension leaf while she sewed clothing for us. I made Barbie doll clothes with the scraps from what ever fabric she gave me. By the time I was in 7th grade, I made a jumper dress. Got a B on it. Then in 10th grade I took a semester course of Textiles And Sewing. In this class I was required to make a dress with princess seams. an outfit out a napped fabric( made a corduroy pantsuit)and a plaid outfit( I made a skirt and vest and I made the vest reversible with the solid color that was in the color of the plaid . The plaid was called a window pane plaid. I learned to match plaids and I received A+ on all three outfits. This teacher taught me the difference between HANDMADE and HOME MADE. The biggest compliment any one can pay a sewer is to ask where you bought the outfit you made.