My Mom taught me.. saying "make it or go naked"! so by 8th grade it was a no longer an option for her to make any of my clothing . It was just understood , I was on my own now for making my clothing. Up till that point she would suppliment my efforts with some items she made for me.
I can still recall begging her to put in an invisable zipper in my prom dress, as I so wanted the dress to be perfect.