My sisters and I were raised with a sewing machine of our own by the time I was 9 years old. ( don't want to say how many years ago that was ). We had to make our own school clothes by the time we were young teenagers. So we all had the basics for garment making. I believe for Deb and I it was more the time to explore and just have fun with our sewing that got us both addicted. She started a bit later but is catching up very quickly. She is totally addicted now. She is in the throws of her addiction while I am sort of in Rehab you my say. No more purchases for this girl except the necessities to live. (quilt backing, batting, and sometimes thread).