canmitch1971

I remember that my Mother made my dress for graduation from grade 8 so she knew how to sew. I took 2 years of Home Economics in high school which gave me a good start. I made quite a few of the kid's clothes when they were little. My daughter had no idea how to sew. About 5 or 6 years ago she decided to take a sewing class and at the same time I took my first quilting class. She made a dress that she has never worn and I made an apron and pot holders. I've been hooked ever since. She has not done much sewing since having a full time job and 2 little kids.

Shadow Dancer

I was making my own clothes by the time I started taking home economics. Our first class I was wearing an outfit I had made and was told I had to earn the priviledge of using the sewing machine in class! I wasn't impressed making a stuffed ducky as our first 'big' project. LOL

I made all my own clothes for years, when I was getting married it seemed natural that I would make my wedding gown and my maid of honor and bridesmaid dresses. I used to make wedding gowns and prom dresses until it was cheaper to buy a dress than have one made.

I made all my daughter's clothes until it just wasn't cool to wear clothes your mother made. LOL That's when I turned to making quilts, 14 years later I'm still making quilts. :)

okie3

Love all the stories! I'm amazed at how many of us started out on a treadle
sewing machine. My Grandmother always made my clothes up through High school. Like some of the rest of you I didn't do well in Home Eco. because, I wanted to do it the way Grandma did it. Save as much material as you can, when you lay out a pattern if you use one :D I spent summers and holidays with her on the farm so I sat and either watched or she put me to work cutting out quilt pieces with cardboard stencils. When she would have a quilt in the quilting rack, all the neighbor ladies would come of an afternoon and we'd quilt--including me. So that's were I learned how to quilt. She also taught me how to crochet and I have made a lot more afghans than quilts, so far. I really didn't get into the quilting, seriously till my first grand baby was on the way. Since that time I've really gotten really interested + finding Simply quilts on TV really made me want to quilt and keep something alive that my Grandmother did. She left all 4 of her Grandkids with plenty of quilts to have and love for years to come.
I found out a few years ago that my cousin (shes only 3 months older than I am) has also taken up quilting. So we now keep in touch about what the other one is doing in the world of quilting.

quiltswithdogs

I learned to sew at 16 in high school from home ec class and my best friend who was so brave, she made her own prom dress!
I grew up, sewed for hubby and me then later when our daughters were young I had fun making little girl clothes. One liked to dress alike but the other didn't for fear everyone would think they were twins. Not likely as they are adopted, 17mo apart, one blue-eyed and so fair all her veins showed and the other full Korean, lots of soft dark hair and almond brown-eyes. No genes from me... they are gorgeous young women.
Then I took a very long break in which I sewed only easy, requested skirts or pajamas or costumes or mending.
To treat myself for my 50th birthday, I took a beginner's quilting class. I gave the wallhanging to my mom and dad for Christmas without ever realizing they had always wanted one for over their bed and were disappointed they couldn't afford one on their vacation to amish country. They were so thrilled and the rest of the family begged me for quilts. I was hooked!
Cathy

pittsburgpam

There was always a sewing machine in the house but my mother didn't do a whole lot. It was my sister, who is 10 years older than me, who taught me. She made a lot of her own clothes and I picked it up over the years. One of my grandmothers taught me crochet and the other taught me knitting and embroidery. The one that did crochet also made quilts. I got my Kenmore about 20 years ago and made clothes for my daughers for awhile before I started doing quilts. My grandmother gave me her scraps because she couldn't see well enough to sew and I made my first quilt with them. I remember sitting in my living room while my mother and grandmother were visiting me and hand piecing the house blocks while we talked. I had forgotten that. The next one I did was an Amish Diamond in Square that I gave to my sister. I hand quilted it with vines and leaves and roses in the corners.

I discovered BOMs and did several of them and I was hooked.

Kara

My mom taught me to sew in 4-H, and then Home-Ec classes in high school. Didn't like any of it very much, and my mother and I butted heads A LOT... Sewing clothes wasn't that much fun...

Fast forward several years... My sister made a baby quilt for my baby shower when I was pregnant with the first baby. When I was pregnant the second time, I decided that this baby needed a baby quilt, too (it was knotted, so it doesn't really "count" as a quilt by some standards, but that's a different discussion).

I got some books after that and it has "snow balled" since then. I get books and teach myself everything I want to know. With 4 kids now, I can't go to classes. But I've made quite a few projects now. I've quite honestly lost count. I used to keep track, but that's one thing that has fallen by the wayside... I should start keeping track again, as a sort of "portfolio"...

butterflyquilter

I taught myself to sew when I was pregnant with my first (34 years ago). I wanted to make a quilt for him and I have been sewing ever since. I have taught my 11 year old daughter to sew. She started when she was 6 and has since made 8 quilts. I did take 1 year of home ec in high school but didn't learn how to sew! I guess I just had to want it bad enough! I even made my daughters clothes when she was little--including all the frilly, puffy little dresses! Now, I mostly just quilt, quilt, and quilt some more. I am purchasing an embroidery machine next month (when I will finally have enough saved for the model I want!) Then I will probably do some t shits and sweatshirts.