Many States still have FACS (foods and consumer science) classes in middle and high schools--it depends on the district--and whether they can get teachers--so very few young people going into that field. The sewing machines they buy for school are heavy duty--all metal and usually with no real bells and whistles--maybe zig zag and a button hole stitch. Most clothing classes will have sewing and also fashion info--care of fabric, etc. At my former school (retired), the teachers included a quilt (very simple 9 patch) unit as it was a fairly easy way to teach cutting (although not using a rotary cutter--too sharp for middle schoolers) and keeping an even seam.