For a number of different reasons, I only had Home Ec. classes for 2 years in high school - the first year the Principal thought we were too "young" for it, then in my Jr. year the Home Ec. teacher left for a year, but did return for my Sr. year. My Mom had taught me to sew simple items, but Home Ec. classes taught me how to follow a pattern (My Mom made up her own.), and fortunately had the patience to painstakingly rip out a zipper that I had sewn into the zipper placket, then spent another hour patiently teaching me how to put in a zipper. My kids had some small sewing projects in Middle School, but that was about it; although my son did take shop for 3 semesters, then because he and the shop teacher had an apparent difference of opinion on what shop class should be, took food prep the 4th semester. He did a good job learning to make bread, and it was delicious.