My Mom taught me on the machine she got for her 8th grade graduation in the 1930's. I was about 5 years old and she put a phone book under the pedal so I could reach it. she also taught me to knot, crochet, embroider, and the beginning of quilting. After my Mom passed away a wonderful woman at the time in her late 70's taught me quite a bit beyond the basics of quilting..The bug bit and I am infected with quitling fever still...Of course many times as I work I find myself talking to my Mom and Miss Vivian as I work...