Although my mom had a singer in a hide-a-way desk, I was taught originally in home ec class in 7th or 8th grade. A few years later (after seeing how cheaply made current costumes were), I decided that if my mom could make halloween costumes (for 3 children and while working full time), as a stay at home mom, I could surely make two! Mom assisted when asked. Initially in person, then over the years, just over the phone. Eventually I got the hang of it.
MIL was generous enough to buy me a sewing machine. I had kept borrowing hers!