my grandmother taught me how to sew by hand and machine. She had a Singer knee control and to this day when I am tired I press my knee over to start the machine.
She also taught me how to cook, how to bead, fine needle work, make dress patterns from paper bags, use pins to mark seams, how to quilt and most important how to put up with male of the species!!
She was an amazing woman-all 4'10" of her!