Who? What? Where? When? How?
10-30-2012, 07:03 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Windhoek, Namibia
Posts: 639
Who taught you to sew?
My Mom. I so admired her being so clever. Could not wait to become so clever too.
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine? The way it senses that I am stressed or in a hurry and then finds every trick in the book to make me humble.
What would make it easier to learn to sew? A very patient teacher who keeps you curious and interested.
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine? Spent hours upon hours till sewing was as natural as breathing.
What kept you going? Curiosity, the lust for learning and the idea of more skills to build on.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet? In an old desk of my dad's under a cover lovingly made by myself. These days on a folding steel table in my sewing room.
When did you conquer the sewing machine? Around the age of 8 I got an old secondhand manual Singer from my
parents. What fun the two of us had!
How did you ever learn to quilt? It was another skill to conquer and I wanted to make some quilted soft furnishings - first for my dolls and then for myself.
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew? Straight stitch. Zig-zag came later (around 10) when I was allowed to use Mom's electric machine.
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt? In my own fashion as a child, but properly when I was 41.
My Mom. I so admired her being so clever. Could not wait to become so clever too.
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine? The way it senses that I am stressed or in a hurry and then finds every trick in the book to make me humble.
What would make it easier to learn to sew? A very patient teacher who keeps you curious and interested.
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine? Spent hours upon hours till sewing was as natural as breathing.
What kept you going? Curiosity, the lust for learning and the idea of more skills to build on.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet? In an old desk of my dad's under a cover lovingly made by myself. These days on a folding steel table in my sewing room.
When did you conquer the sewing machine? Around the age of 8 I got an old secondhand manual Singer from my
parents. What fun the two of us had!
How did you ever learn to quilt? It was another skill to conquer and I wanted to make some quilted soft furnishings - first for my dolls and then for myself.
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew? Straight stitch. Zig-zag came later (around 10) when I was allowed to use Mom's electric machine.
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt? In my own fashion as a child, but properly when I was 41.
10-30-2012, 07:10 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Indiana
Posts: 450
These are so much fun to read. I am amazed at the number of people that learned at school or didn't learn until they were 10 or 12. It never occurred to me to wait that long. I was making doll dresses in the first grade. I think that is part of why I have difficulties reading patterns unless I read them out loud. That is what I did when I learned to sew!
I have often thought if we learned by piecing quilts first it would be easier.
I have often thought if we learned by piecing quilts first it would be easier.
10-30-2012, 07:14 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Originally Posted by miriam
Who taught you to sew?
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine?
What would make it easier to learn to sew?
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine?
What kept you going?
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet?
When did you conquer the sewing machine?
How did you ever learn to quilt?
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew?
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt?
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine?
What would make it easier to learn to sew?
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine?
What kept you going?
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet?
When did you conquer the sewing machine?
How did you ever learn to quilt?
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew?
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt?
My mother taught me to use the machine, I taught me to sew.
You couldn't sew a quarter inch seam with that old machine, even with the quarter inch foot.
A different mother?
I gave it back to my mother and bought a good machine.
I am a creative person and have always had a creative outlet.
The first machine was in a cabinet. My new machine is a portable and sits on a desk.
I never actually had to conquer a machine since I learned to work with a machine, not against it. When the machine wouldn't do what I wanted it to do I got rid of it and bought one that would do what I wanted. No point in fighting with it when there was a proper tool for what I wanted.
I saw a quilt pattern in a magazine and that's all I need to learn quilt.
That first machine was a zigzag machine.
I started my first quilt when I was 21 so I guess that counts as adult.
Last edited by Scissor Queen; 10-30-2012 at 07:33 AM. Reason: I missed a couple of questions
10-30-2012, 09:16 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
Who taught you to sew?
My mom would let us (my sis and I) sew the long "boring" seams as a kid. I made my first skirt at 13.
Then, Home ec in 9th grade, and majored in Home Ec Ed in college--ended up teaching first and second semester sewing while getting a master's degree in education.
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine?
Can't remember...assuming you mean when I first learned...usually it has to do with the threading.
What would make it easy (ier) to learn to sew?
Easy patterns, and success on first attempts. I never found sewing difficult.
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine?
Not sure I understand the question. My mom had simple Singers and there wasn't much to conquer.
What kept you going?
The desire/ need to make clothes.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet?
Mom's sewing machine was always in a cabinet.
When did you conquer the sewing machine?
?? I've never been afraid of the machine --not since I started sewing at 11 or so.
How did you ever learn to quilt?
By reading and practicing...am still learning.
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew?
Mom's machine was a zig zag machine.
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt?
It was just a few years ago--so adult.
My mom would let us (my sis and I) sew the long "boring" seams as a kid. I made my first skirt at 13.
Then, Home ec in 9th grade, and majored in Home Ec Ed in college--ended up teaching first and second semester sewing while getting a master's degree in education.
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine?
Can't remember...assuming you mean when I first learned...usually it has to do with the threading.
What would make it easy (ier) to learn to sew?
Easy patterns, and success on first attempts. I never found sewing difficult.
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine?
Not sure I understand the question. My mom had simple Singers and there wasn't much to conquer.
What kept you going?
The desire/ need to make clothes.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet?
Mom's sewing machine was always in a cabinet.
When did you conquer the sewing machine?
?? I've never been afraid of the machine --not since I started sewing at 11 or so.
How did you ever learn to quilt?
By reading and practicing...am still learning.
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew?
Mom's machine was a zig zag machine.
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt?
It was just a few years ago--so adult.
10-30-2012, 09:21 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
Who taught you to sew? Observed my mom when younger, took a short class in 8th grade, from there was self-taught/read the book.
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine? My first SM was a cheap Kenmore whose feed dogs tracked like a junk yard dog, not exactly straight!
What kept you going? Loved designing and doing it. Made baby clothes for my second DD.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet? Can't remember!
When did you conquer the sewing machine? When I was 12.
How did you ever learn to quilt? I took a class designed by Mary Ellen Hopkins that "set me free"!!!! Made 3 quilts in 6 weeks with that class.
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt? I learned to quilt when I was 36. Now 67.
Jan in VA
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine? My first SM was a cheap Kenmore whose feed dogs tracked like a junk yard dog, not exactly straight!
What kept you going? Loved designing and doing it. Made baby clothes for my second DD.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet? Can't remember!
When did you conquer the sewing machine? When I was 12.
How did you ever learn to quilt? I took a class designed by Mary Ellen Hopkins that "set me free"!!!! Made 3 quilts in 6 weeks with that class.
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt? I learned to quilt when I was 36. Now 67.
Jan in VA
10-30-2012, 09:27 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
Who taught you to sew?
ScissorQueen,
You're funny! I was thinking the same thing when I answered my questions, LOL!!!!
For me it also would have been a different 8th grade teacher. I remember our knuckles being struck with a ruler if we moved our left hand behind the presser foot to "pull" the fabric. Of course, that lesson served me well, ultimately.
Jan in VA
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
...A different mother?
You're funny! I was thinking the same thing when I answered my questions, LOL!!!!
For me it also would have been a different 8th grade teacher. I remember our knuckles being struck with a ruler if we moved our left hand behind the presser foot to "pull" the fabric. Of course, that lesson served me well, ultimately.
Jan in VA
10-30-2012, 09:37 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 2,247
My mom's cousin taught me to sew when I was about 12. I don't remember having any major problem with the sewing machine although I hated doing zippers for the longest time. I did wear out 3 seam rippers in the first 2 years of sewing. I also took home ec in high school.
I did my first quilt in 1984 (Eleanor Burns Log Cabin) then didn't do any more quilting until 1999. In quilting I have more trouble with points than I do with curves, maybe because I made cloths for 40 years first and putting in sleeves became easy. I still make cloths on ocassion.
I did my first quilt in 1984 (Eleanor Burns Log Cabin) then didn't do any more quilting until 1999. In quilting I have more trouble with points than I do with curves, maybe because I made cloths for 40 years first and putting in sleeves became easy. I still make cloths on ocassion.
10-30-2012, 09:58 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: The Granite City, Scotland
Posts: 1,635
Who taught you to sew? I learned in school, hated it and never sewed again for over 40 years until my mother died. I took her sewing machine, joined a class.
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine? No needle down. Plus it was useless at reading my mind.
What would make it easier to learn to sew? A decent brain - preferably with a memory.....
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine? Bought a new one in a 50% sale.
What kept you going? Sheer grim determination and stubbornness.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet? A friend gave me an old Singer cabinet.
When did you conquer the sewing machine? Just got a new one, so still on that learning curve.
How did you ever learn to quilt? A question I'm still pondering..........My LQS spoon-fed me.
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew? /\/\/\/\/\/\
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt? An old adult.....
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine? No needle down. Plus it was useless at reading my mind.
What would make it easier to learn to sew? A decent brain - preferably with a memory.....
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine? Bought a new one in a 50% sale.
What kept you going? Sheer grim determination and stubbornness.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet? A friend gave me an old Singer cabinet.
When did you conquer the sewing machine? Just got a new one, so still on that learning curve.
How did you ever learn to quilt? A question I'm still pondering..........My LQS spoon-fed me.
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew? /\/\/\/\/\/\
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt? An old adult.....
10-30-2012, 10:17 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Live Oak, Texas
Posts: 6,133
I first sewed on my mothers treadle, then the newer ones in high school. I lost interest until I bought my 401A in a cabinet. An elderly lady who sewed for a living took me under her wing and helped me learn my machine and how to do the more difficult things in garment making. I watched my Mom and DGM quilt all the time I was growing up so when I started quilting I just taught myself. I learned a lot from mag's and books. I got over the hard parts by doing them over until I got it right. My first quilt was a difficult pieced quilt that I did not know until I had finished it was for advanced quilters but it turned out very pretty so it took away the fear of just jumping in and doing anything I want to make.
10-30-2012, 10:39 AM
#30
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Houston area
Posts: 19
See my answers below. :-)
Originally Posted by miriam
Who taught you to sew? I taught myself, mostly. My mom sews, so she was there to answer questions, and I did take a home ec class in the 8th grade, but I am mostly self-taught.
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine? Everything. It would be easier to tell you what didn't frustrate me - I knew how to turn it on. Beyond that, it was impossible ... hard to thread, hard to get the bobbin set right, hard to set the tension ... I'm amazed I ever got past all that.
What would make it easier to learn to sew? A better machine. Lessons from an impartial person (seriously, lessons with my Mom resulted in tears for both of us, I think!). Step by Step instructions.
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine? Put it in a box, left it there until I had to use it ... and then it was sheer determination to master it. I hated that machine.
What kept you going? I'm really, really hard headed. And we didn't have much money, so I felt guilty about spending money on fabric then not using it.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet? Cabinet most of the time, box when it frustrated me. Yes, I sent my machine to time out!
When did you conquer the sewing machine? I think it conquered me, because I ended up buying a new machine with lots of bells and whistles - that's when things "clicked" for me.
How did you ever learn to quilt? I went to the LQS and told the girl there I wanted to learn to quilt but I didn't have time for classes. She sold me the fabric and a book and said, "We'll still be here when you realize you need a class!" The next week, I took my finished baby quilt to the store and told her, "I hope you're a really patient person, because I'll not be signing up for a class just yet."
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew? Zig zag machine. It had been my mom's back up machine, and it was fancy ... for 1975! It had something like 20 stitches.
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt? Adult. Sewing never entered my mind as a child, and quilts were something "old women" made. So naturally, when I turned 31, it was time for me to start. ;-)
What frustrated you the most about your sewing machine? Everything. It would be easier to tell you what didn't frustrate me - I knew how to turn it on. Beyond that, it was impossible ... hard to thread, hard to get the bobbin set right, hard to set the tension ... I'm amazed I ever got past all that.
What would make it easier to learn to sew? A better machine. Lessons from an impartial person (seriously, lessons with my Mom resulted in tears for both of us, I think!). Step by Step instructions.
What did you do to conquer the sewing machine? Put it in a box, left it there until I had to use it ... and then it was sheer determination to master it. I hated that machine.
What kept you going? I'm really, really hard headed. And we didn't have much money, so I felt guilty about spending money on fabric then not using it.
Where did you keep your sewing machine? Case or Cabinet? Cabinet most of the time, box when it frustrated me. Yes, I sent my machine to time out!
When did you conquer the sewing machine? I think it conquered me, because I ended up buying a new machine with lots of bells and whistles - that's when things "clicked" for me.
How did you ever learn to quilt? I went to the LQS and told the girl there I wanted to learn to quilt but I didn't have time for classes. She sold me the fabric and a book and said, "We'll still be here when you realize you need a class!" The next week, I took my finished baby quilt to the store and told her, "I hope you're a really patient person, because I'll not be signing up for a class just yet."
Did you use a straight stitch or zig zag sewing machine to learn to sew? Zig zag machine. It had been my mom's back up machine, and it was fancy ... for 1975! It had something like 20 stitches.
Were you a child or an adult when you learned to quilt? Adult. Sewing never entered my mind as a child, and quilts were something "old women" made. So naturally, when I turned 31, it was time for me to start. ;-)
