I was just wondering how many people here are first generation to sewing. I am. My mom didn't sew more than to hand mend anything. I'm not to sure if my grandmother did or didn't because by time I was old enough to know her much she was developing dementia. I don't remember my step-grandmother sewing and my paternal grandmother I didn't grow up around.
I actually can't remember how I started sewing, but im pretty sure it wasn't just home ec. I do know i'm glad I did take it up. I enjoy it.

2nd generation here. My Late Mom taught herself and she could sew anything fabulously!!!

2nd generation here too... My Mom did enjoy other crafts more than sewing though; preferred crocheting and knitting.

My grandmothers were both crafty but it skipped a generation with my parents.

I guess I'm first generation? Or maybe just "reborn". LOL

also 2d generation. i was learning to sew before i could read.

I'm not sure if I am actually first generation or not, but I never saw my mother do anything but some knitting. I on the other hand, like all forms of needlework - cross stitch, needlepoint, sewing and quilting.

First generation here, all self taught and probably making a ton of mistakes. :mrgreen:

probably 3rd or 4th

Nana did it all. My Mum did none of the sewing, knitting, crocheting, canning, bread making or gardening. Seems in a lot of families to be an "every other generation" thing.

We lived just down the road from Nana. She tried to teach me but other than learn to treadle a straight line I never followed through until Kids came along and only to quilting 3 yrs ago so really I'm self-taught with all of it. As a kid I was more often down in the basement with Grandad hammering and sawing! (Try learning to crochet with the book open on your lap and your fingers getting all gibbled up and cramped from finding what to do with the yarn!)

My grandmother and her entire family were tailors and seamstresses. My mom, nothing. So, I guess I'm a 1st generation?

2nd generation. My mom was an excellent seamstress. She could make anything and do it perfect. I am only a dabbler. I do not sew clothes or anything that needs to fit. I do wish my mom was still around to see what I am doing now. I would love to absorb some of her knowledge now. I wasn't ready back then.

My mother sewed. In fact, I hated sewing until I had a couple of kids. However, she has never quilted and never will. She just doesn't see the point of cutting up fabric and sewing it back together when you can just go to JC Penney and buy a bed spread for $60.
As far as I know, I am the first quilter in my family (and still the only one)

3rd generation. Both grandmothers were seamstresses. My maternal grandmother used to make me the most beautiful dresses when I was in grade school. You would have thought they were from a store. My paternal grandmother made her youngest daughter's (my aunt) wedding dress. My mom could sew but with six kids mostly did heming and mending. All she had time for. I learned to sew on a treadle machine.

The women in my family have always been seamstresses. I have a hand sewn quilt made ny my GGGgrandmother by hand at the age of 17. It is something that ties us all together.

Actually, first generation. My mother did make me some dresses when I was young, and she did beautiful embroidery and tatting. But she called those things "lazy woman's work". Shaking head. She did teach me to embroider, though.

I've always loved handwork of any kind...crochet, knitting, etc. I taught myself from books.

However, I am pleased to report that BOTH of my daughters are quilters, and do beautiful work :) So proud of them, and we can talk for hours about our projects.

Both of my grandmothers were quilters, my parents are not but I am. My DD crochets (SP?)

I'm at least 3rd generation. I'm sure beyond that is was part of surviving.

As far back as I know, so probably forever! My mother sewed everything we wore besides our undergarments and some of them I suppose! I inherited her love of sewing and quilting, my sis did not, but she is very artistic.

I learned embroidery from my dad's mom. Grandma did a lot of sewing, but I took to the handwork from her. My mom couldn't thread a needle. And her mom died at 51, but she did do knitting.

What would you call a skipped generation? LOL

4th or 5th. My one DGM was a seamstress and my mom made every little dress I wore till I got into Highschool and than I started making my own clothes. I made all my DH flannel shirts and made every flannel shirt and T-shirt for my 2 DS's until they started school and I returned to my career. I do miss making shirts but just do not have time due to my quilting every second I have to spare minute. I also have a piece of a quilt in a picture frame that my DGGG made.

My Mom and sisters are not sewers; however, I had aunts on both sides of the family that sewed and quilted. My maternal grandmother loved to knit and crochet.

!st one to quilt in my family. My MIL, Bless her heart, taughtme much about sewing.

Also 1st one to nurse my babies. Never knew anyone that sewed or breastfed. I don't know where I came from but 5 out of 6 of us had redhair so I know I belong.

1st generation. My mom did not sew except for the occasional halloween costume. Her mother passed away when she was a little girl. My grandmother and step grandmothers on my dad's side did not sew or quilt that I know of.

I learned to sew in high school and it was love at first stitch. I sewed clothes in high school then didn't sew anything for a very long time until I took up quilting at age 30.

Same here lolol

My grandmother and step mother were professional seamstresses. My mom knew how to sew but never did while we were growing up. When she retired she took a few classes in it and did quite well.

On my husband's side of the family his greatgrandfather was a tailor for the U.S. cavalry.

My mother sewed. Made most of my clothes and lots of quilts.

I have to agree that it skips generations! My mom only sewed when she had to, but both of my grandmothers were prolific. Prior to that I don't know. Neither of my daughters take an interest, but I have 5 granddaughters up and coming.

2nd generation. My mom is a professional and taught for yrs. Never could quite get sewing for yrs. Only mended until a few yrs ago. Still learning but I hope I'm getting better. The sewing machine still intimidates me!!

My dad was an excellent tailor also!!!

My mom use to sew once upon a time. I have barbie clothes that she sewed for me, more from necessity than desire I think. However when I was old enough to have interest in sewing she no longer did. My grandma on my mom's side quilted, my grandma on my dad's side embroidered and sewed some I think. However they both passed away before I was again old enough to have interest. I learned some in home ec, some from a friend, and my older sister and I are interested in the domestic arts. The sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, cooking, gardening, preserving. It's just who we are, however it happened

First generation, yes and no. When I was growing up, we didn't have a sewing machine, though my mom did make a few Barbie outfits for me by hand. She didn't teach me to sew, and I never thought to ask, though I wanted to learn.

But here's the thing: she did know how to sew. When she was a teen, she wanted to be a fashion designer and made many of her own clothes, and they were very nice!

I assume she learned from her mother, though by the time I was born, my grandmother was in a home for the aged. If she ever sewed, she'd stopped by then.

I don't actually sew - yet. It's one of my top goals this summer to finally get a good machine and lessons. More quilting lessons, too.

Mom doesn't have a sewing bone in her body, both grandmas did, one made clothes, other was fabulous quilter....does that make me 2nd henderson, once removed???

3rd generation here. My grandmother is the person who taught me to sew. I would sew it and she was point out mistakes and help me rip it out and do it over, and over, and over. My mom also sews and quilts. She is the queen of crazy quilts. Her love is piecing tiny bits of fabric and doing the fancy hand embroidery. Every time she is in my sewing room she checks my trash can for little bits and pieces saying all the time, " I can't believe your throwing this away," showing me a piece less than an inch square. She's a trip. I try to empty my trash before she shows up. LOL.

not I...I come from a long line of sewers/crafters..even the men folk...on both sides!

every woman on both sides of my family sewed, knitted , crochet, tatting, ect you name it someone did it. We all garden, veg and flowers,canning My Grandfather came from Denmark and knitted gloves and socks.At the time of WW1 all service men were required to make there own. The Danish military supplyed the yarn and knitting needles.

All the women in my family have sewn forever...my 3rd great-grand-mother made the 1st silk dress made in Utah, she even raised the silkworms! I was 12 when my grandmother purchsed my 1st ready made dress: I wore either ones sewn at home or hand-me-downs from my sisters. I sewed most of my girls' clothes until they hit grade school. Never conquered jeans or shirts for my boys though. My daughters don't sew at all. Two of my 5 sisters sew, one of the two also quilts.

First generation here, also. Mother never sewed. I guess you can say I married into it....In his family, quilting is the thing!
Glad I married into it!

i am of a skipped generation! Grandma sewed(she raised me)..and then i picked it up! i think i was to young to appreciate all she knew..she didn't quilt though.

2nd geeration my dads mother made beautiful quilts and i have several of her tops

I'm right there with you!