My son learned how to 'run the sewing machine' (sort of) when he was 12 or so - never did much with it but sew up his own ripped seams (Mom is a slow mender! LOL) When he got married, he was the one who had to fix his wife's purse by repairing the seam and reattaching a button. She has now taken sewing lessons at least to the pajama pants stage.