How did you learn to sew?

I started embroidery at age 6 so I knew lot of the "sewing" issues. I made my first skirt at age 10...it was out of upholstery fabric (my mom was thrifty, frugal and used everything for something!) and I'll never forget showing it off to my grandpa and him saying "that's to short for you. Make it longer!". It was a pretty pattern fabric and I didn't care what kind it was...I got to wear a shorter skirt and I made it myself! All during high school, I made my own clothes...mom said I could have all the fabric I wanted under 2 conditions...it couldn't be over 77 cents a yard (which was VERY easy to stay under in the early 70's!) and I had use all the material I bought first before I could buy any more! Simplest deal I ever made! But I made all my clothes (but pants, never could do those very good but I didn't care...I liked wearing skirts and dresses so it worked out fine!) Then once pregnant, made all my daughters clothes till she hit 6th grade and she asked for jean skirts (which I didn't make as I didn't want to damage my machine by sewing thick demim) and "mom...could I please have a store bought dress?" ripped my heart out so I ended it for her...she got store bought after that. I then went to home decor projects, quilting, dolls, things like that. Was on hiatis for about 9 years now and just recently got my first home with an extra bedroom and I put my machine up and started sewing again..then decided I deserve a new machine as this one was 25 years old, so I searched around, found SInger had their newest machine out for half price ($448 instead of $1,025!) and bought it and it does everything but beep when you have to go to the bathroom! So 6 is not to early to teach. My 5 yo grand daughter got a kids machine for christmas last year and she made me a a small bag/purse and herself a large tote bag...so it can be learned. But hand sewing ...that is good to. Like I said, I started embroidery at age 6...everyone got a set of kitchen towels that had the day of the week embroidered on them with a design, then everyone got a set of pillow cases hand embroidered. Then I started embroidering on the clothes I made. Which took me into Crewel and needlepoint...which is good too! So I say...teach her all she wants to learn. Felt is a great way to start as no fraying or raveling. So many things she can make also. Good for you for teaching her and I hope she picks it up quickly and gets a new sewing machine for christmas (or birthday) In looking recently...the cheapest ones that do straight and zigzag stitch only are &80-$99. Well worth it if she learns to sew and makes her own clothes!

I learned on my own.Both my granddaughters,ages 6 & 9,are wanying to learn.Well mine has a lot of different stuff on it.I don't think it would be something for her to try on,so I'm gonna get her one of the Chainstitch Sewing Machines.I saw them at Michaels Craft Store and at Hobby Lobby.They were about 25 I think.I plan on using the 40% coupon that I get and get both of them one.That way they have their own,with their own color of thread and can practice that way.It looks very easy to thread.Try looking for one of those and see if that won't help her.It would be really simple for her to operater,since it is just a simple straight stitch.Good luck.

I taught myself. First I just used a needle and thread and cut things out of other material like sheets or other things like dresses and things. I used paper for my patterns and drew them myself. I bought my first sewing machine and taught myself to use that. My MIL showed me how to use a pattern, the simplicity ones. I started mixing a matching them to make what I wanted from any I wanted to after that. Your daughter can learn to sew with a needle and thread when she is about 7 or 8 years old. That is when I taught my grandson and he enjoys it. He wanted to learn because he saw me doing it all the time and asked me to show him and I did. If your daughter shows interest, show her.

I think I too learned the basic, basics in sewing class in 7th grade in middle school. We made a pillow of a farm animal for our project. I did ok on it but the girl I sat next to was very annoying to say the least and needed help constantly. I kinda wish I had taken in in 8th grade BUT between my mom having a cow over paying for the material to make my project and not having much confidence I didn't go further into it beyond what was required. Though I'd like to learn how to sew some basic clothes and maybe how to put a zipper in. I had hoped I'd get to do these things while at home with the kids but you need money to go to sewing classes and someone to watch your kid. Doesn't seem like anything every works out the way I had hoped.

I was very fortunate as a child, in that my mother (among many other things) was a professional seamstress and dressmaker. I was always fascinated when she would pull out patterns and cut yards of material, sew them together, and lo and behold, a new garment was seemingly formed out of nothing. I asked her if she would sew me some things if I designed them. Naturally she said "Yes.", but then added, "If you want, I'll teach you how to sew them for yourself." From that point on, I immersed myself into every facet of what she knew about sewing, and have never looked back. To this day, I still have many friends ask me to do some of their sewing for them, and quite frankly, I very happy to oblige. Re: your old machine...chances are there will still be a manual for the model of machine that you have, and can probably download it for free off the internet. You might want to give that a try. As far as teaching your daughter, I think it's a wonderful idea. You'll never know just how much that skill has come in handy for me over the years, and I thank my mother for taking the time she spent with me (God rest her soul). She has given me something of her, that I will always treasure. Cheers; commanderxo

I did not enjoy my home economic lessons for needle work much because it was always a disaster for me, especially the first year. I remember I could never do the stiches properly until my domestic helper told me how to do it when I was back to my home from school. In the last term of my first year in secondary school, the school taught us how to use the sewing machine. Obviously, I could not do that and I did ask my mum's friend to help me finish part of my coursework. However, after a summer holiday, I learnt how to use it all of a sudden after changing the teacher. I guessed the quality of the teacher might be the answer to my improvement but my slow learning would probably be my personal problem.For the next two years, I enjoyed my needle work lessons a bit more and I managed to make an apron,somethin like a bath towel, a bag and sew a picture designed by myself. Though I do not like sewing much, I still would like to learn how to knit a cardigan!

My mom taught me. I have shown my small cousins to sew, starting when they were about 4 with yarn and needle and now at 6 we are starting with the machine. They are very obedient and careful though. And my machine is easy to use, luckily. (It's sort of meant for people who don't sew very often so everything is very clearly labelled and it doesn't do a lot of things.

This is quite a hobby that girls usually possessed in the older days. But is not much prevalent in the present day. The modern generation lack many a habits and hobbies that was followed int he old times. Its really good that your daughter at 6 is taking interest in sewing. Let her learn it and make sure you can revise it up too. My mom is a real good tailor so it was quite natural that we grew up operating sewing machine. WE could usually do up some help to her as she had really lot to handle along with the household chores. It was real nice to learn sewing from our mom. I loveed to help her even though i was a boy and my sister was younger to me...

I started learning to sew when I was 5, but it has taken me many years to get to the point where I feel I can honestly say I can sew. My mom taught me and my cousins, and all my friends to sew. She started us out with making little babies wrapped in a blanket and enforce 'tiny stitches' and then we moved on to quilting pot holders, and then we learned embroidery, then on to doll clothes, and finally clothes for ourselves. I have always been very emotional so my mom wasn't very keen on the idea of me using the sewing machine. Every time I did and something went wrong I'd break down and cry. To this day I'd rather hand sew something most of the time. I sewed my daughter's Easter Dress by hand when she was 5. No pattern. I think it was that Easter Sunday when all the other little girl's Mom's were asking Clara where her mom bought her dress that I had felt I had arrived. But, I DO NOT have the patience to teach Clara to sew. Or anyone for that matter. She asked me to teach her to knit a few months ago... I sent her to my Grandma for that one. I just don't have the patience for it.

I learned to sew from a 7th grade home economics class. My mother didnt do a lot of sewing. simple hemming was what she was used to. I learned quite a bit in the class. there are sewing techniques that i still use today that i took from this class. i'm not sure this kind of class is even taught in the schools anymore. it was a class that was combined with cooking skills. It was one of my best achievements in school.

My mother was a seamstress so I was exposed very much to sewing. Ithink I started sewing at about 8 but they were all hand stitched. I started to use my mothers sewing machine bit by bit and was a 'full blown' sewing machine user by 9 years old. Although I can sew with the machine, I still havent learnt how to do the patterns. I have to rely on patterns which are ready made. When I was in school I used to sew my clothes which I designed and my mother would be my greatest admirer. I read about you and crochet. My sister taught me how to crochet. If you want to take up crocheting, I advise you to look for japanese crocheting books. Even though my sister and I dunno Japanese, their books are full of diagrams and very easy to learn. But i think you need to have somebody to show you the first stitches. After that its easy peasy. I dun like knitting though. I dun like that they curl.

I learned to sew in 4-H. The sewing instructors were very particular. I learned to sew very well. My items lasted for a very long time. When I got into high school and home economics, I did not like it. The teacher did not fit a pattern, you never back stitched at the end, and the stitches were as long as she could make them. I was afraid to wear my outfit for fear the seams would let go. I am older now, but still use my back up stitches to hold my seams before I hem or connect to another piece.

Wow that is so beautiful bonding for mother and daughter, hope my daughter would like to know sewing at an early age as well. While i do not know if i was taught by my mother or i learn it by my self, because my mother is always busy and usually she is just doing her usual stuff while i watch her so maybe l earn it from watching her, then at grade 6 our teacher in H.E.L.E. taught us some different kinds of basic stitches, but i had forgotten everything about it, because i did not practice it.

i always wanted to take the sewing and cooking classes but never got into those classes... i tought myself to sew by studying my own clothes and taking some that needed taken in in a little... i also did some researching on the computer...

I kind of taught myself, because I was really interested in it. My sister and my friend helped me a bit though, when I got stuck and stuff.

Hello friend I learnt it from my mom when i was just eight, my mom knew sewing, i used to sit near her watching, gradually i learnt the art Hubby gave me Tailor model Usha machine in 1968, it is my prized possession, still working Thanks for this nice discussion god bless kalyani