Interesting discussion!
I sew clothes, still. Learned when I was in third grade, in self-defense :lol: By then there were five kids, and Mom could not keep making clothes for all of us!
I have found lately that I get the pattern, check measurements on the pattern piece itself to make changes before I cut. Then, if I do not understand the directions, I think back to past experiences for some other way to do it. :? Usually works better than being frustrated.
Glad the apron turned out better than the pincushion :D