My first Home-Ec project was a gathered skirt we made without a pattern. It even had a zipper. We had to model it for a school style show. I made a matching blouse at home and surprised the teacher by modeling it with my skirt. I got an A. That was 8th grade. By high school, I made my prom dress in class along with several other girls. Now they barely teach sewing. I am teaching my granddaughter to sew. She, in turn, helped some kids in her class thread a machine and cut out their fabric. Her teacher was impressed that someone her age could sew.