My mother taught me how to sew when I was about 5th/6th grade: simple sleeveless summer tops, pillowcases from sheets, aprons, skirts, blouses and shirts for my brothers. I sewed in home ec (about 7th grade) and drove the teacher CRAZY because she did not approve of the short cuts my Mom taught me, we had to do it the 'right'- - the seam ripper an I were best of friends that year (-;
I continued to sew throughout highschool and 4-H, even won a blue ribbon for a lined linen jacket and matching box pleated skirt; made most of my own clothes and helped Mom with shirts for my 6 younger brothers and clothes for my little sister. Sewed my own clothes on into adulthood. Made my first basic 2" or 3" patchwork block quilt about 32 years ago for my baby daughter; made clothes for my daughter until she was in highschool when she took over and continues to make her own (she'll be 32 next month). Only made a couple of other very simple quilts through the years until a co-worker talked me and another co-worker into joining her at her favorite quilt shop for a block of the month quilt; that was 4 years ago and still haven't finished it nor the one the following year. I've come to learn that is very normal.
In the mean time I drug out a quilt I started for my step-mother in the early 90s - she hand stitched and hand quilted all of the ones she made for her children and step children (14) and about 10 grand children so far. So, I was not going to give her a machine stitched/quilted one, on no! Finally finished the top and gave it to her 3 Christmas' ago, she helped me with the batting and backing on her big quilt frame in the garage and have been hand quilting ever since - will it ever end???
I now have a total of 6 unfiinished quilts in various stages and a fabric stash to stock a small shop! Love it, love it, love it!!!
Also LOVE this quilting board, such great support from everyone and sooooooooooooooooo much more to learn!