FINALLY FRIDAY
Yeah, it’s Friday! Time for my favorite post of the week…Open Line Friday…Anyone asks…Everyone answers!
But first a…
COMMENT about COMMENTS
I LOOOVE your comments—-even when I don’t respond!
I read them all and truly enjoy hearing from you!
I often use ideas from your comments when I am planning and writing new posts.
I do my best to answer direct questions. If I haven’t answered your question–please just ask it again (my kids have learned to do this, too.) I won’t take it personally if you ask multiple times–and you shouldn’t either….
YOU are the reason I continue blogging…so keep the comments, questions, profound thoughts, silly stories, and family updates coming…YOU KNOW…
“I love to hear!”
OPEN LINE FRIDAY
I thought I’d start the ball rolling…(or should I say “the spool rolling”?)
Who taught YOU to sew? What are your earliest memories of sewing and needle crafts?
It also brings me to another question…
Have YOU taught anyone else to sew or quilt?
I’d love to hear….
Lori
PS…All images, tutorials and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, Pin or tweet with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
114 comments
Charlee Willey
Mother taught my sisters and I.
We made clothes. She showed us how to do the easy part and she sewed the hard part. The curves etcetera. As we got older we do more until we could do the whole garment.
Taught my daughter in the same way. Now I am lucky to have an interested granddaughter.
Emma
I learnt to sew at school circa grade 4 or 5. We had to earn a sewing machine “licence” by “driving” around a course printed on a piece of paper with no thread in the machine – possibly were my affinity for paper piecing comes from!
When I was 17 I got a sewing machine off a dear friend for Christmas and although I didn’t touch it for the next ten years, sewing with it always reminds me of her
Karen
I started sewing in the 7th grade. I was given an assignment and neither my mom or I read the instructions, we just picked out a skirt pattern we liked. It was a lined wrap around skirt (which was in at the time). I picked out a pretty yellow and white flower fabric and it was the start of it all. When I brought in the fabric and pattern, I thought the teacher was going to go nuts. She said in no way could I make this. Wrong thing to say to me and my mom. We showed her. It turned out perfect and I got to be the last model for the fashion show.
I’m just starting to teach my oldest granddaughter how to sew. She has asked for her own sewing machine from Santa this year.
Pamela
My Mom didn’t sew much, but her mother, my grandmother did. We had a couple of old Singers in the house. My Mom put my sister and I into 4H to learn to sew. We made a pair of slacks that year. We continued to sew and my two sisters and I made many of our clothing in high school. Home Ec classes were really easy for me because I already knew how to sew, but I do wish that they still did them.
I had a French teacher that became pregnant. Another student suggested that we make her a baby quilt – her mother was a quilter. I hadn’t ever done anything like that, but I could sew. So I got to help make the baby quilt and fell in love with quilting.
Interestingly, that friend’s mother is now a curator at our local county historical museum. I told her the story and she remembered making the quilt. She wasn’t aware that she had introduced me to quilting. Her son is my next door neighbor. Small world.
Both my daughters said they wanted to learn to sew, but neither were patient enough to learn more than sewing a seam. I have shown them basics like hemming, sewing buttons, and the like. My eldest daughter decided to make a quilt for her husband and has done some additional sewing since then. She has a busy life and the quilting bug hasn’t hit her like is has for me. Maybe someday. I have several quilting friends that have shown me something new and one in particular that has told me many times that I have helped her learn something new about quilting. My sister is a wonderful seamstress, but she has learned about quilting from me. We have begun making collaborative baby quilts over the last couple of years for nieces and nephews.
I hope to teach my grandchildren to sew someday. The oldest has a keen interest in what I do, but mostly likes me to make things for her. She does sit with me at the sewing machine and I let her lift and lower the presser foot, push the reverse sewing button and cut threads. She is learning a little a at a time, but I’m letting her do it at her own pace.
sbk1rn
Mama taught me to sew. Home economics in seventh and eighth grade reinforced the process. Such fond memories….
Sonya Lanham
It is so nice to read these beautiful comments. Most learning at home at a young age and then maybe now teaching a grandchild, how lovely is that!
I never really was good at sewing ir cooking at school, probably impatient and more interested in sport. However, I did do wood and metal work with the boys! My mum said if I could read I could cook! I’m a good reader, but really a good cook!
I sewed a few small items for my 2 boys as children (now 20 & 26), but I wasn’t really ‘taught’.
About 15 years ago, aged 35, I finally worked out what career I wanted and went back to school. Two years later I worked with a lady who would sometimes sew, usually applique, at lunch times. And I was ready for a new hobby!
I have watched and learned so much from the people around me, and have attended a few classes. I still have a long way to go, but I enjoy cutting up fabric and sewing them back together. And I especially love giving the quilts away. Quilters are the most generous people I have ever met.
I sew almost every weekend at our little holiday house on a 1957 Singer. So peaceful and relaxing! Whilst still working I will remain a topper. In retirement I may well have to graduate to quilter! Although, I do quilt small projects.
My latest quilt was one started for my future grandson’s first birthday. Unfortunately he was born too early, and did not survie. I packed it away for 6 months, only to find we were expecting another grandson, due almost the same day as William was born. So I put my big girl panties on and finished it before we went on a 7 week trip to the UK. It has been to my lovely quilter and ready for me to pick up tomorrow! I think of all the quilts I have made in 13 years (around 120), this will be the most special one.
Thanks for sharing your stories, once again, you are all so generous!
farmquilter
I learned how to sew in 7th grade in home ec – my mom didn’t really sew much even though she had an old Singer that I made all my clothes on when I was in high school. I have taught all three of my daughters to sew and my oldest one has made a few quilts. I am also teaching my pastor’s oldest daughter to sew. I wish they still taught sewing in school – even if it is just to mend a tear in clothing instead of just throwing it away!!!
Carol H
I think I learned some sewing by osmosis while I was a toddler sitting in the playpen while my mom was sewing! She had 4 daughters and we always had dresses – two in red shades and two in green shades – or all alike. At the 1964 World’s Fair, we all had the exact same shift dress that she also made herself!!
So, I was surrounded by sewing! I remember my very first skirt I made – navy blue/paisley with an elastic waist! Loved it! Then I took some lessons from Sears, Singers and then spent a week at my Aunt Roma’s house to sew clothes for school. I made plaid – which had to be matched way back when!! I made jumpers, culottes, jackets, hot pants – just everything. I only wore clothes I made until I got married.
One Christmas I made something for everyone – CPO jacket for my Dad, top and pants for my mom, shirt for my oldest Sister, a teddy for another sister, robe for my other sister, corduroy jacket for my FIL, robe for my MIL, and a quilted jacket for my SIL. Never did so much last minute sewing – EVER! And never did again.
Put away the sewing machine for a long time but brought it out for fancy dresses for my daughter! Then came the costumes!!
In 2002 my daughter got married and I always thought I would have to retire to make quilts – always on my list of things to do! Granddaughter came along and have been quilting ever since!
I’m proud of all the things I have made over the years. Just finishing up a diaper bag for my SIL-to-be who asked when I made a diaper bag, please just not froo-froo! First, told him I don’t do diaper bags! Both he and my daughter are high school Algebra teachers and I found some Algebra fabric online!! Well, I’m almost done – it will be his father’s day present since the baby is coming on Tuesday – June 17!!
I think sewing/quilting is hereditary as I found out that my grandma quilted too! Never really knew her but I have her hand embroidered/hand quilted quilt upstairs! Such an honor to have it.
LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!
Lori Campbell
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t sew, my mom sewed all the time and I can remember her making some incredible clothes. My first project I remember completing was a jumpsuit for my favorite doll. Any time classes were offered I was the first to sign up. I remember making a 9 patch pillow in the church basement in 3rd or 4th grade. I made my first pair of pants in 5th grade and wore those hot pink pants proudly. I took sewing every year in high school and was the teachers aide my senior year. I worked for several different fabric stores through the years and started to quilt while working in one. I had been given quilt blocks that my great grandmother had started in the 30s. I put together 4 blocks to make a wall hanging for my grandmother–too bad they didn’t have the 30s fabrics they have now. I soon joined a couple of quilt guilds and haven’t done much garment sewing since.
Angie in SoCal
My mother taught me to sew when I was six. She’s still sewing at 88 – doing alterations. Recently she started quilting.
Barbara Utter
My mother started me on embroidery when I was about 5 or 6 I still have the piece that she made me take out all the little short stitches, well they weren’t very short. I had just made one long stitch instead of 2 or 3. When I was older she taught me to sew and I joined the 4-H sewing class in our little town in N. California. Took home economic in Jr High but I knew most of what they taught. By that time I was making most of my school clothes. When I went to work I made my dresses. I did take a clothing class at JR College and lined and finished seams on 2 dressed and a vest.
When I got married and we had a son until he got in school I made all of his clothing. I had always wanted to quilt. In 1994 there was an ad in the paper about starting a quild in out town. So I went to the meeting and the rest is history. I found my nitch. Quilting is what I love to do. I’m not fancy or arty, but I do pretty good and I have never met a quilter that wasn’t nice.
Hazel Spindler
I learned to sew in my Home Economics class in High School. A very strict teacher but I am thankful for that because I remember a lot from that class (I’m 83). My husband bought me my first sewing machine from Montgomery Ward…Signature was their brand name. I took a Stretch-and-Sew class in the ’70’s and also learned a lot from that and made lots of stretch knit clothes. I became interested in quilting about 25 years ago and it’s my passion now. I belong to our local quilt guild and have found some wonderful friends who all share their knowledge and talents. This morning I am preparing to pack up my machine and supplies to go teach an art class. Sewing is my passion. I look forward each day to your blog and enjoy practicing the new quilting designs. You are an inspiration.
Sara
My Grandmother started me with hand embroidery, like she did with my Mom. I was about 5. It was my beautiful Mother, however, who taught me to sew. The summer between 5th and 6th grade, I plopped down on the sofa and made “the face”. I said that there was nothing to do. So she said get ready, we are going to the PX. WhooHoo, I figured that I was going to the toys dept. Nope we went to the sewing dept. So I thought that if I really behaved myself, surely I would get some mighty fine toys to play with. We picked out a pattern and fabric, got all the notions, and left the PX without even getting near the toy dept. (Rats, what is wrong here!) Well, that summer I learned to sew. First I made a dress, a tent dress that made me look like the “big top” at Barnum & Bailey. In Aqua, white and black OP Art fabric. I liked the fabric, and the pattern; but they probably shouldn’t have been combined. (at least for chubby me.) We sewed lots that summer, and I learned about color, design, and combining them. I think I wore the dress once, and felt awful in it. Mom donated it to the Thrift Shop a few years later. We were in the Commissary one day and saw a lovely Asian woman wearing my dress! She was gorgeous in it! We both smiled. In HS I wanted a certain outfit that “everyone was wearing”! My Mom said,” If you can make it, you can have it.” Well, I went to town whipping out “cool outfits”. By the time I took Home Ec as a senior, I was making Vogue Designer patterns. I made a St. Laurent suit that had 13 perfect bound buttonholes. Get Back!! Now my Grandmother and her sisters (and her Grandmother) had made quilts forever. We had many “everyday” quilts. I had grown up under them. So when I got out of the Army, that was what I started trying to learn to do. The first book I bought was The Mariner’s Compass. The first blocks I pieced were a 2.5 Drunkard’s Path. Ha, I learned a lot! My Mom took up quilting with me and we shared so much. Fabric, advice, patterns, encouragement and always lots of love!
adaisygarden
My Mother was an expert seamstress (she could draw beautiful fashion styles and sew anything) but she passed away before I learned how to sew (I was in my early 20s). So, I had to teach myself how to sew out of necessity – I was a student in college and had no money to buy clothes. The first dress I made, I had to throw away. I used sewing patterns to learn different steps and that’s mainly how I learned — practicing, ripping out stitches, and trying again & again. I kept sewing and learned as I went, making most of the clothing for myself and my kids. I grew to love sewing and many years later, I made my daughter’s wedding dress (with great fear and trepidation) and it turned out beautifully. I taught my daughter the basics of sewing and now she is really into quilting. Last month, I visited my son & daughter-in-law, and spent hours teaching her how to sew a tote bag, and a few different simple skirts. We both had a great time. I currently have many projects I can’t wait to start, both sewing & quilting. I recently bought a new sewing machine with 14 different feet. I’ve already used a few of them and I’m looking forward to other projects in order to use all those other different feet. I enjoy both sewing & quilting and am usually thinking of new projects to work on every week. The fun never stops 🙂
Laura M
Awesome stories! My grandmother was a seamstress who taught my mom, who taught my older sister and me. I remember quilts being set up in the basement and grandma and mom sitting hand quilting them. I learned to sew on mom’s Singer, it had a knee pedal rather than a foot pedal. My sister sews exquisite clothing, bras, underwear and does the most incredible real fur bears that I have one which was my 50th birthday present, I will treasure it always. Mom made me many Barbie outfits, both sewn and knit, as she was an avid knitter as well. I have fond memories of coming home from school, she and her best friend would be sitting, knitting and watching Edge of Night soap opera, sometimes the groceries would be still sitting on the counter, waiting until the show was over!! Mom made my wedding dress and all the bridesmaids dresses. After she passed away, my mother in law, who was another incredible seamstress took over to help me learn all the little tricks and tips which made sewing and fitting so much easier. I made my son a snow boarding jacket, complete with all the zippers and pockets which was my first really big complicated. item. Then my daughter asked me to make her wedding dress which was the scariest and most wonderful thing I ever made. After that I started to dabble into quilting, and even though have kept up with the garment sewing, my love is modern quilts, ones that I design and create. Sewing and quilting are my therapy. When I need to relax, recoup and refocus, I just need to go sit and sew for a while. Unfortunately for me, all my sewing stuff is packed up as we are in the process of trying to sell our house. All my sewing stuff is now at our new place in boxes, but my sweet wonderful husband told me he would help me start to build all my new IKEA sewing furniture which is sitting in boxes at our new place. Then I can go over there and sew!
Wendy Fittler
It is really lovely to read about how so many others learnt their sewing experiences. As a young child, I often sat with my grandmother as she sewed clothing for her many grandchildren. Sometimes it was by hand but more often on her Singer treadle machine. I can remember one of my aunts also making beautiful dresses for all my girl cousins and my sister and myself, and getting great enjoyment from copying her with needle and thread. I thought I was doing a wonderful job at the time. Then when I was in grade 3 at school, my dear teacher tried to teach the whole class to make pot holders with wool cross stitches on hessian. I loved it. The ones, both boys and girls, who mastered that we’re then allowed to progress to sewing a table mat on what we called Indian head cloth that was a bit like homespun, only coarser. We were shown how to hem and do a bit of fancy stitching. I remember making myself an apron in grade 5. I changed schools for grade 6 and there was no more sewing in primary school, so my mum tried to teach me to use her Singer, which had a hand wheel to turn it. It was a bit difficult to guide the fabric and turn at the same time!
When I reached high school, I had some really good teachers who encouraged me to design and sew my own clothes. I mastered my mum’s machine and made nearly all my own clothes from the time I was about 14 or 15, with my mum’s help at times. I bought my first sewing machine when I was twenty and sewed a huge variety of things, including lingerie, curtains and furnishings for my first home and my wedding dress. It was many years later that I fell madly in love with quilting, and at first only did hand stitching but now happily and confidently tackle machine piecing and a bit of FMQ as well.
I taught my son basic survival sewing as he was living away from home from the age of 16 and as a primary school teacher myself, taught the children in my classes some basic sewing and embroidery. Now retired from classroom teaching, I have spent a few years working as a tutor at an evening sewing group which I have truly enjoyed. This year I am back to doing just my own thing – hopefully finishing off a few of my ufo’s!
LaNan Eldridge
My mom taught me by sewing Barbie doll clothes. I’m surprised I continued to sew!! I was about 8 years old and continued sewing through 4-H years. I’ve done all kinds of garment sewing but my favorite now is quilt making and anything for the grand kids!
Elsie Bulva
It is wonderful to read all these stories , not so different from many of us.
I really cannot remember when I started sewing. I always sewed. It was my mother who influenced me. My grandmother did quilts with polyester and sewed all her own cloths. My sisters and I got a little Singer sewing machine that clipped to a table, had no bobbin and you turned a wheel, have it still. The 4H Clothing Club played a big role as well as Home Ec. in High School. My mother did have an electric machine an Elna White which helped. We had no extra money, shopping in the city was not an option to far away and went only occasionally. You ordered out of a catalogue. You learned to sew in self defence. We got a complete packet for Christmas which had a pattern, fabric matching thread lace etc. It was our new outfit for the next season so you did a good job or looked home made. I have loved sewing everything over the years for my family except upholstery. My husband cannot understand why not that. Its work to me. I made jeans and coats and always personalized them but had no ability to design and carry it out to the end. Now I am into quilting and get quite cranky if I cannot fondle my fabric each day. Here is where I design and create now that I am retired and have the time to play with software. I am so grateful for the chance to have learned as I did. Sewing either hand or machine has been my constant interest for many years and many of our good friends have needlework or quilts that express my love for them. Charity quilts have gone many places in the world and have been used for successful fund raisers, my little contribution to the less fortunate then I.
Sheila S
Thank goodness for patient Grandmothers! My grandmother taught me to sew doll quilts on her Singer treadle machine when I was in second grade. I still have that treadle machine & cherish it so much. I’ve never refinished it because you can see right where she laid her scissors (the finish is worn) and that means so much to me. My mother also had a huge influence on my sewing as she was my 4-H leader for 10 years. She is an excellent seamstress & taught me to make all my own clothes. I won awards in 4-H & Make It Yourself With Wool when I was growing up. The only mishap I had was sewing through my finger one time! After garment sewing for myself, my husband & two daughters, I am now just quilting up a storm. A wise friend told me that you can buy clothes at reasonable prices so spend your time quilting! I enjoy reading your blog every day—thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge.
gaylemitchel
I taught myself to sew and I taught myself to FMQ. Lately, I’ve been teaching other beginning sewists to FMQ. LOVE IT! Soooooooo satisfying to see the look when they realize “I CAN do this!!”
WisconsinQuilting
Mom taught me and my older siblings (including my brother) to sew well enough to make ourselves pajama tops and bottoms. Then I learned more clothing construction in Junior High Home Ec. I must have been at ease with the sewing machine by then because I was surprised that my classmates felt sewing (required for both boys and girls) was harder than cooking (also required for all students). Sewing, I insisted, was far easier because if you made a mistake you could take it out and do it again… With cooking? Not so easy!
I taught our four children, both girls and boys, to sew themselves a pair of pajamas… and so the cycle goes….
Tracy
These answers are great fun to read through 🙂 I actually answered the question in a blog post http://pursuingjoy.blogspot.com/2014/06/learning-to-sew.html I am incredibly grateful for generous bloggers who share their knowledge! I do buy a few books, but mostly, my ‘continuing education’ comes from bloggers like YOU. So, thank-you!!
LJ
My mom started me sewing on a treadle machine. First, I remember just watching what she was doing and (I”m sure.) begging to try doing it myself. I honestly can’t remember how old I was but probably by 6 or 7. I made doll clothes first and by the time I was 11, I was making most of my own clothes. The treadle was replaced soon after I started sewing with an electric White. Now I would sure love to have that treadle machine.
Sheila
I forgot to add — I am in my early 70’s and just finished a quilting class in order to make a T-Shirt quilt for one of my sons – using “rock-concert” tees that he has collected over the years. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and am looking forward to creating this special quilt for Sean.
Jean in MN
Remember those little cards with a picture and holes punched around it? We had a shoelace length of yarn to sew in and out of the holes around the picture. Mom must have had us sewing those at age 2 or 3 while she sewed on her old White sewing machine.
denisezapf
Like many, my grandma taught me to sew. She was my babysitter while my mom worked, and although she didn’t sew much for herself, I think she taught me so that I would have something to keep me occupied! We sewed doll clothes,mostly hand sewing. She also taught me to embroider, and she arranged for a friend to teach me to knit. In high school I had a very bad Home Economics teacher and I didn’t have the patience to work on my technique, so I dropped sewing until my 50s. I bought some pants that were too long and decided to get out Grandma’s old sewing machine and hem them up. That didn’t work…the machine needed repairs. So I found an entry level Singer for about $100. Once I got that, I decided to re-create a pattern for a clothespin bag. The original is one that was made by a great-aunt, and it looks like a little girl’s pinafore. So I bought a few fat quarters and sewed up the clothespin bag. I learned what a fat quarter was for, took a quilting class, and now I’m hooked. My husband is in shock…he’s never seen a crafty side to me before.
Sheila
I was fortunate to have a mother who sewed (partly out of necessity) and taught me. I started making doll clothes when I was nine and have been sewing ever since. Over the years, I made all my own clothes, tailored my husband’s suits and slacks, dressed my three sons – and others – with the help of my sewing machines. Grand- daughters came along and I sewing for them and their dolls. My main current interest is quilting. I’ve never entered a quilt in a show and won a blue ribbon, but my satisfaction comes from the appreciation of my children and grandchildren. It’s a wonderful life!
I have taught a hand-sewn quilting class at a local college and loved every minute of it. I’ve also been working with my 16-year-old granddaughter who is my latest “student”.
Mary Montgomery
My mother always found camps or classes to keep me busy during the summer. I was about 14 and she signed me up for a Singer class. I HATED IT. I selected a pattern with buttonholes from collar to hem! Teacher didn’t like my selection. As much as I hated it then, I love sewing now. Have made clothing for my children and now I’m quilting for my grandchildren. Just donated a quilt to my grandson as a fundraiser for a school trip. he made $2000 on it. I’m a happy Grammy!
patriciafayemc
My maternal grandmother taught me to sew the summer I spent 2 weeks with her when I was 12 in 1960. She started with some basic shorts with an elastic band & later we progressed to dresses with zippers. I made lots of shorts with “crop tops” that were the rage at that time. I made most of my clothes during high school.
Grandma taught me to press open my seams and to back sew at the end of each seam. If it wasn’t right, she made me rip it out & re-do it. My Mother also sewed so if I got stuck she’d help me out. She didn’t have as much patience as Grandma did. After I got married & had kids I made most of their clothes too. Now that my kids are giving me grandchildren, I’m making lots of baby clothes & of course, baby quilts! I have many good memories from then too.
redbamsews
I learned to sew the summer of my 7th grade year. My parents sent me to sewing class with a little old Japanese lady from Japan. She spoke broken English and was the most patient lady I ever met. She also taught me to draft patterns. I still have the spiral notebook with my directions and illustrations for pattern drafting. I dug it out when I recently wanted a yoked skirt. I have a post of it on my blog.
Sewing is one of my passions. It has deep roots for me. My maternal grandmother was a seamstress and supplemented the family income with her talents. She could not teach me to sew because by the time I was old enough she suffered a stroke which left her paralyzed on one side. However, after sewing class, every Saturday morning, I would spend hours with her showing her what I worked on. She would give me encouragement and give me tips.
By the time I got to high school I would whip out an outfit over the weekend. As I worked on my outfits, my constant companion was my grandmother. She helped me develop my eye for detail as well as perfect my own sense of style. We would thumb through the magazines looking for the latest trends and then work on re-creating them during the weekends.
So, when I spend my time in my sewing room, I am carrying on a family tradition. The sense of connection and fulfillment create many happy memories.
Thanks for asking.
sillyandrea
Like many others, my grandmother taught me to sew. It was around 1980 so i was around 10. I remember I was wearing a flannel nightie and she was getting me to practise hand quilting on some appliance covers.
I tucked my knees up under my nightie (it was red winter scene around the hem, white turtleneck) and I concentrated hard to stitch just right and get it even.
When I finished that row I stood up – and it was stitched to my nightie!
Going through my scrap recently, I found a leftover piece of the fabric we quilted. Pretty sure this small scrap has her quilting on it, not mine. It’s no use for anything but it does hold a memory.
So I kept it.
Jannette
My mom taught me to sew – we had 6 kids in our family, and she had to sew to save money on clothes…. Of course, she would buy exactly enough fabric for whatever she was making, and not an inch more! Two years later, I ended up in Home Ec. and was told that everything that my mom taught me was wrong, and that I’d have to forget everything that mom ever taught me. I managed to do almost everything the way that the teacher taught me that year, then went back to my “old” ways again. Years later, I taught my 2 daughters to sew. My youngest daughter followed me down the quilting path later too. My oldest daughter apparently graduated from the “hack it off and staple it” school of thought…..! I don’t ask about her sewing projects!
Janice Kelly
In jr high all girls were required to take a very basic sewing class. We made fabric napkins…not very exciting but got me hooked. My godmother gave me her old sewing machine because she never used it, and my parents signed me up for lessons at the art institute because no one in my family knew how to sew. A few years later I bought a new machine with a few more stitches besides just forward and reverse, taught myself to make quilts and here I am! I tried passing my love of quilting on to my daughter with little success, ok no success, but she volunteered as a Big Sister and I was able to teach two of her charges. They’ve both moved out of state and we lost contact but I hope they are still sewing 🙂
Linda
I wanted to sew since I was about 5. My Mother felt she was too inadequate to teach me how even though she sewed all of our dresses. She had been taught in her Aunt’s bridal/evening gown factory in California since she was young. In those days they basted everything before sewing. In junior high our school had treadle machines which I learned to sew on in home ec. I have been sewing ever since for my family and for my grandchildren.
I enjoy teaching children to sew and have had the privilege of teaching several of my own children and many of my grandchildren as well as a few friends. The two youngest grandchildren began at the age of three.
They are 6 & 8 now and are looking forward to their summer visit at Grandma’s because they each get to sew on the vintage sewing machines they will receive when they are ten. We are going to work on little quilts for them to enter in their county fair. The 8 year old is my grandson and he is the most enthusiastic about sewing. He even taught his 7 year old cousin how to sew on my sewing machine last Thanksgiving. Sewing is a wonderful skill to pass on to the next generations!!!
PS: and not one finger has gotten in the way of the needle…
Elaine Jordan
My Grandmother taught me to sew. My earliest recollection was when I was 5, I rec’d a toy sewing machine for Christmas. Grandma helped me cut and make a 9 patch square to use as a blanket for my doll. I was then allowed to use my mom’s old black, Singer sewing machine (was left to me in her will when she passed away a few years ago!). My mom was a tomboy & had no interest in sewing, so Grandma was thankful that one of her 3 Granddaughters wanted to sew. Next project with Grandma was an apron. Grandma also taught me to hand quilt and embroider. She tried several times to teach me to tat, but everytime she would slow down so I could watch, she’d get a knot in her threads. I do have all of her tatting supplies & still plan on learning how to tat in the next few years now that my kid’s are getting older.
marlene S
Funny you mention tatting at the end of your story. I was always fascinated with it and never had a chance to learn. I have always been able to learn most embroidery stitches and I am left handed for most things. But when I tried to teach myself Tatting with that shuttle, Yikes. Then a few years ago a women told me not to bother with the shuttle, use a tatting needle. I have not really attempted it but someday.I hope.
Vivian
Growing up, most of the women in my extended family sewed clothing (except my mother who was an expert at knitting and crochet) but most often I would hang out at the house of a friend of my mother’s and “help”/watch when she sewed or cut out garments or tag along when she shopped for fabric. That planted the bug and it blossomed in home ec in Junior High school. I made most of my own clothes from then on until my 20’s.
Fast forward twenty years(!) and already familiar with sewing machines and the concept of seam allowances, Simply Quilts on TV and quilt books initially taught me to quilt. Then the internet, Quilt In A Day and Fons & Porter episodes (on TV and the internet) and blogs fine tuned that. I have served as an advised to my mother-in-law and a few friends while they learned to quilt and hope to try teaching an actual quilt class one day.
marlene S
Ironically pondered this question myself. My mom did mending like of socks and such. We had a sewing machine but I do not recall her sewing me to sew. I had aunts on both sides of the family who were seamstresses and one taught probably at what we would call Vocational School now. I recall trying to piece together a blanket for my doll, out of some scraps and not knowing the first time about seams. I also mainly taught myself to embroider from those kits for pillow cases and dish towels. I took Home Ec in High School where I learned how to use a pattern and sew clothes. That was never a big interest to me to make my own clothes. I did make a few things. then Embroidery took on a more serious hobby in my 20’s At 29, 1976, is when my interest also turned to Quilting and my first class was 1979 in Fishkill NY. I taught my 3 sons how to use the sewing machine before they entered Home and Careers class in middle school. I taught them how to sew on buttons and to hand sew.
marlene S
I meant to say In the second line, I do not recall my mother specifically showing me how to sew. I observed a lot., that is how I started learning about cooking too. she may have been hemming or repairing an article of clothing.
Claire
I learned to sew in 4H; my first project was a kitchen apron. My mother then picked up the ball and taught me to use her machine (a great old Singer). In high school my Home Ec teacher (do they still have those?!) was Mrs. Smallwood and we used Berninas. When I was first married, I used the skills I had to make clothes, curtains, bedskirts and shams, etc.
I stopped sewing for about 15 years after my kids came along and started back up again about 5 years ago. Since then, I’ve discovered quilting! I teach quilting classes and bag classes at local quilt shops, and sometimes in my home studio.
I recently got back to my roots and made myself a jacket. 🙂 Oh how I love to sew!!!
Sharon
Grade 7 was my first experience with sewing and I can’t tell you how much I hated the class. The teacher was a perfectionist and made us rip out most of what we sewed. A few years later I helped a lady sew a few maternity tops, we sewed them by hand because she had no machine. We enjoyed the time we spent making them and I remember how great it was to see her wearing the tops. Time went by and I got married and had a family. My husband bought me a machine and I began sewing dresses for my daughters and then clothing for myself. I never had anyone to help me so I just did the best I could following pattern directions. I have learned many things since those beginning days and I am still learning. The internet has really opened many doors for me, especially for quilting. I am so grateful for people like you Lori, willing to share your knowledge, it has helped me get to where I am today.
Shar
Uh oh! It looks as though many of us are of an age that learned on treadle machines!! My mom had my grandmother’s treadle and I learned on that for clothing and such. I learned hand sewing earlier from my mom and my grandmother. They were both creative ladies. My grandmother could look at a garment and make her own pattern! She also quilted, but I learned about that much later. She also taught me embroidery and crocheting.
I have helped other people with sewing and quilting. Some day I hope to have grandchildren to share with. I’m always sorry I did not teach my sons to sew.
Heather Hedrick
My earliest memories of sewing and quilting are of my grandmothers’ homes. Both quilted by hand. I remember playing under those quilt frames and being so excited to finally get to help when I was old enough. My mother also is a master sewer. She helped me learn through 4-H and Home Ec classes. I was more of a tom boy and didn’t want to learn so much “girl” stuff! But as a new wife and then mother I found so much joy in making things for my family and home and gifts. I have taught many church youth groups to sew. My own children receive their own sewing machine when they turn 8 years old. This summer I am doing a free summer sewing camp for children. My youngest children (ages 7 and 6) are excited to be a part of the camp!
Kim in SD
My first memories of sewing include my Grandma sewing clothes for me. By the time I was old enough to sew, she was retired & living far from us, so I learned to sew in a class offered by my friend’s mom at our private school. I was in 5th grade and we went to Becky’s once or twice a week to learn to sew in her basement. I used my Mom’s old Kenmore machine, which she only used for mending. Becky taught me to sew clothes for myself. I have sewn off & on since that class, but I have sewn weekly for the last 10 years or so. I recently saw Becky at a Mother’s Day get together (25 years after she taught me!) and was able to thank her for offering herself and her home to allow me to learn to sew. I sew in some form almost every day and I wouldn’t have this amazing hobby without Becky!
Kathy
I learned to sew in 1972-73 in my home economics class in jr high. After that it was all self-taught and on my own. My mother had a sewing machine that my father bought her for their 1st wedding anniversary which is what I sewed on and I still have to this day. My mother however was never one for the crafts but it seems I was the one of all my siblings that did get the bug and I got it from my father’s parents. While I barely saw them in life, I learned my grandfather was an expert tailor in NYC and made my father’s and his brothers’ clothes and my grandmother worked in the factories including the local carpet mill.
Back then, all I knew about was sewing for clothes and the home. In the 80’s, I made my suit blouses from cotton and cotton blend fabrics because I just really really hate the feel of polyester. In northern NJ, the art of sewing has been dying. It is no longer taught in the schools, so there are no fabric stores around and I ended up putting down my craft. I recently moved to PA and where I found that sewing is still alive and well. The ladies in my local machine/fabric store are so into their craft that they renewed my spirit for sewing. While, I no longer do clothes, the ladies introduced me to quilting and machine embroidery. I’ve been sewing up a storm ever since. 😀
Diana
My wonderful Nanie, my her memory always be a blessing, taught me to sew when I was in high school. We would set up on her porch “because the light is so much better here”. She was so patient and encouraging. BUT, I did a lot of seam ripping! She always said that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing right. I have carried that in my heart and try to the best of my ability to always do my best. I still have, carefully wrapped, a jacket that she helped me sew. The pattern did not have instructions for a lining but she painstakingly created a pattern out of old newspaper. I wore that jacket to my high school graduation ceremonies. Only now that my daughter has started a family of her own has she become interested in sewing. Try as I might, while she was growing up to get her interested, she just had no desire. I love that I am able to help her learn now when the time is right for HER! My daughter and her husband gave their little girl her great, great grandmother’s name for her middle name. I have lovingly told so many stories of my Nanie over the years, that my daughter wanted to honor her memory by giving her daughter a name so special to me. Not a day goes by, and I quilt every day, that I do not think of my Nanie with love and gratitude.
Donna Sofokles
If I couldn’t sew, I don’t think I could breathe! My “major” inspiration and expertise came from my 4-H leader who remained my friend for life. She developed MS in her later years so that charity is high on my list to support.
I learned on a treadle which we sadly disposed of. I have another but need to work on it to get it up and running. I was given a British featherweight which is my workshop machine. I use a Viking for my “fix” which needs to be every day.
I taught two granddaughters to sew and my sons can sew on a button. Currently, I am instilling the love of fabric and thread in a toddler granddaughter. She gives the thread spools different names and talks to them as her “friends.”
Donna
Marilyn Anders
I was exposed to Mom and sister sewing growing up – but 1st Mom-in-law bought my first machine for me and I got started with garments, and decorating (curtains, pillow shams, etc). I picked up a lot by osmosis evidently because I usually only confer with people when I have trouble and seem to do ok. I didn’t really start quilting until she and I started retreats. I’ve had several people as me to teach them to sew. At a quilt shop I was listening in on a class for kids – I need to think about it before I teach anyone… there was a lot of basics I evidently take for granted.
Barb E
My mother sewed but said that she wanted to get the clothes made and didn’t have time to teach. So when I was in grade 7 we had home economics and I took it so I could learn to sew. I made an apron and full skirt. The apron was easy but I sure had some problems on the full skirt. By the end of the class I had made four skirts without a problem. I mostly learned to alter the clothes I received from our neighbor whose daughter was two years older then me and I got the clothes she was done with. Once I turned 16 I got a job and stopped sewing until I had my first child. The first thing I did when I found I was pregnant was buy a Singer sewing machine, which my youngest daughter has today and would not trade it for a new one. I made all my kids clothes until they were in Grade Two and wanted designer clothes from Barbie instead of just homemade clothes. Little did they know they had designer clothes from Barbie, LOL. I stopped sewing once I didn’t need to make them clothes until they got married and made all three wedding dresses, 6 bridal dresses and one flower girls dress. Then in 2010 at our winter location I went to a Quilt Group to help with hand quilting and found they all used sewing machines. A new machine, a few lessons and I became addicted to quilting. Last year I began FMQ because of Leah Day and yourself and have now finished 6 quilts, have one ready to be FMQ’d and two in WIP. I sew at least three days a week if only for an hour. At present we are renovating a house so my sewing time has been drastically cut short but I do make time for your FMQ lessons every week. Thanks for doing this blog I really enjoy it as I will never be a blogger.
Seajay26
My grandma taught me how to sew. I had asked for a few years before she gave in when I was about 5. I remember sitting on my grandads knee, whilst he operated the treddle on the singer sewing machine and I moved the fabric. When I was 16 I got my own sewing machine and used that for over 20 years. I now have a Bernina and use it everyday. A couple of years ago I taught my friends daughter how to use her sewing machine and I loved it. So much that I have taken my teaching qualification and I am now teaching adults sewing. I love it. Still sew everyday and love to learn new things all the time.
Nancy
My very first sewing related activity was playing with my grandmother’s button box. I still love going through my button box. Next it was a darning needle and yarn on cereal boxes. This all sitting at my grandmother’s feet while she crocheted prize winning tablecloths. Then I was with my mom as she made clothes for 3 little girls, and I “made” doll clothes. I got a toy sewing machine some where along the line, but it frustrated me, a lot! Mom finally let me on her machine around age 8, and I never looked backed. Sewing and quilting is my 1) passion 2) therapy 3) creative outlet 4) joy.
And yes I have taught others to sew, 3 granddaughters, and many classes at church for teens and adults. The teens have made boxer shorts, and skirts. Moms have made a variety of things, my favorite was a log cabin baby quilt.
If I can do anything sewing related on a daily basis LIFE IS GOOD!
bobbiesews
My Mom was always sewing. Most of our clothing was homemade. We hated it at the time!She was buyer,designer, and seamstress for my ENTIRE ballet school-way before the premade coxtumes were available.There was always a sewing room in our home. Sadly she didn’t have a teacher personality. The love of sewing was in our home though and we all breathed it in. My brother and sister also sew. I’m the only one with the quilting bug.
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