I taught myself. Mom didn't sew, as her mother was a home ec teacher and so demanding that it totally turned her off! LOL! But I was fascinated with fabrics and "creating". So I went to Penney's, bought a pattern and some fabric. Didn't have a clue what to do with it. (I was 10 years old!) So I spread the pattern out over the fabric, cut it out, and sewed the pattern to the fabric. When I was done, I tore the pattern off. Hey, it worked!! LOL!!!! I've been in love ever since. Thankfully I've learned quite a bit since then :-)