I had Home Economics in school and we made a pillow and baked cakes but that was the extent of it. I am mainly self taught although Home Economics started by journey for my loving of baking and sewing. The birth of my grandchildren pushed my love of sewing toward quilting. As for what is the best advice while sewing? Well I find that when I get tired I start making mistakes and the more I keep sewing the more mistakes I make so my rule of thumb is. If you make a mistake you must be tired. Stop and correct the mistake. If you make another mistake take it out, correct it and now it is time to stop sewing and start fresh tomorrow. Two mistakes in a row signals to me that it is time to stop. If you don't correct the mistake it just gets bigger and bigger. Just like in life right. So that is my advice. Correct your mistakes in sewing as you would correct your mistakes in life. If not they will continue to happen or they will just get bigger and bigger.