At what age did you begin sewing? [Archive] - Embroidables

dramaw

11-21-2007, 05:00 PM

SewCrazy

11-21-2007, 05:06 PM

I started sewing in Junior High School...We had to make an apron...Then a dress. I remember my mother bought me the pattern and material to make it...She loved red so my fabric was Bright fire engine red and all the kids laughed at me...But I made the dress and wore it often...

Made me start to love sewing just to see what I could create...

That's a cute story. I also had to learn to sew in junior high, but I was quite the horor student back then. I think all I did the entire class was make fun of the teacher. So bad....

For some reason back in junior high I thought threading the machine was the hardest thing ever. LOL. Now I think why was that so hard?? Again just a bad teen ager... LOL

mdquilter

11-21-2007, 05:16 PM

The first thing I ever sewed was in home ec class in 8th grade. I made a hot pink skirt using stretch jersey fabric.

I started quilting when I was 19 and pregnant with my daughter. I got my own sewing machine for Christmas that year LOL. Mom didn't want me ruining her good machine.

SewCrazy

11-21-2007, 05:16 PM

SewCrazy: You burst my bubble I always thought you were an angel LOL
any how I was sewing since before I can remember. I know it was before the age 10 but don"t know exactley.

LOL!!!! You thought I was an angel???? I guess I must have torn up all those pink slips I got. I know I told you the story of what I did to the home eck teacher on the last day of junior high, right? Well in case you forgot, there was a huge food fight going on in the cafeteria. Her back was turned to me so I launched a chocolate milk at her back. She turned around and looked right at me but of course I denied any wrong doing. I think the principal even called you about it and I told you it wasn't true she just didn't like me and I was the easiest one to blame. Well in case I never told you it was true! I threw the chocolate milk at her.

Now, just so you all know that was just my rebelious junior high years, I straightened up my act in high school, I swear.

sewingfor3

11-23-2007, 02:04 PM

I took sewing/home ec in high school. Do they still offer that? Anyway, the teacher felt sorry for me and gave me an "a" and then ripped everything I put in, out. Later in my early 30's I retaught myself how to sew and later to embroidery with the help of my local babylock rep.

mdquilter

11-23-2007, 02:06 PM

Deedles

11-23-2007, 02:53 PM

My mother was a seamstress and I can't remember when I didn't help her. At 6 I was cutting out simple patterns for her. She started letting me sew the straight seams on pants and things when I was around 7 and at 8 I was making my own shorts and tank tops to play in. By the time I got into Jr. High school I had been sewing clothes for me and my dolls for several years. The Home Ec class was to do pillowcases and aprons. With my mother sign permission I traded Home Ec classes for more library time and never took another Home Ec class again!

I was fortunate to have a lady from our church teach me to hand quilt in my early 20's so from then on a lot of my sewing involved quilts....and here I am over 30 years later, still making clothes, quilting, and alot of stuff in between!

Mabel

11-23-2007, 09:07 PM

I took sewing all four years of high school, so I guess I started at age 13 for real. I dabbled in it with various play sewing machines earlier than that.
I quit sewing for years, after I graduated, because I didn't enjoy it at the time. I picked it up 8 years later, and now I can't IMAGINE not being obsessed with it! It brings me SUCH joy :)

Mabel

11-24-2007, 09:24 PM

It really is incredibly rewarding. And my two year old son is already excited to learn to sew!

fun2sew

11-27-2007, 12:50 PM

around 11 years old!

idesign

11-27-2007, 06:17 PM

I wanted to make something for my little sister, so bought the fabric, pattern, and notions with my babysitting money. I followed the pattern directions, and made a pair of shorts and sleeveless top for her. She was so happy with them, and from there I went on to making all of my own clothes. My mother died very young, so I sewed my sister's prom dress while I was going to college. Sewing and embroidering really allows us to make great gifts for our families and friends!

Sew 'N Sane

11-27-2007, 07:32 PM

I learned how to sew at age 11 when I was in 4H. I even went to a state competition. I can't remember how I did, but I do remember the dress that I made.

One year when I was about 13 or 14, we had a huge snowstorm (in Southwest Arkansas) and I was bored out of my mind. So, I walked into town (about 2 or 3 miles) and went to the fabric store and bought fabric and a pattern for a vest. I still remember all the details of that day because I HAD to do something and sewing was what I wanted to do.:p

Now, when the stress and stain of life gets to me, sewing is what I love to do to relax. I don't think I would walk 3 miles in the snow to get fabric, but you never know...;)

huffjoann

11-28-2007, 12:22 PM

I learned in home ec in either 9th or 10th grade,,

sew blessed

11-30-2007, 10:59 AM

My daughter is in high school in the same school system I went thru and as far as I have seen they no longer offer Home Ec nor do they offer wood shop. She went to the same middle school that I went to and at some point in the last 20 years they have phased out those 2 class offerings. I think it's very sad as I learned alot from both courses :(
It's sad they no longer offer home ec, but sewing is definetly a hobby now and not a life skill, since every single thing I've ever made would have been cheaper to buy mass produced! I wish I could actually save money by sewing!!!:flybye:

Jami Johnson

11-30-2007, 01:34 PM

Interesting thread here. I actually learned to sew from my mom when I was about 8. But, it was a neighbor/church friend that really sparked my interest a few years later. She taught me the details. I did take Home Ec. in High School and knew that's what I wanted to be when "I grew up". That was in Memphis, TN. I went off to college at BYU and later taught Home Ec (which is now called Family and Consumer Sciences) at the junior high level in Utah. I know the Home Ec programs are still strong in Utah, but have been drastically cut elsewhere in the country as sad as it is. Even though sewing may not be a "life skill" these days, the other programs like foods/nutrition, family relations, and child development sure are!! If there's ever a day and age that they need to be taught to young people it is now!!!! But, that's a whole other topic of discussion....

Crafty Connie

12-12-2007, 08:51 PM

I guess it's up to us to pass the sewing traditions down to the younger ones. Too bad it's true that it costs just as much or more to sew an outfit than buy it. BUT...if we sew it, then it comes in the exact fabric we want and it fits perfectly and the satisfaction of saying we made it.

nanamcd

01-03-2008, 12:18 PM

Although my mother and both grandmothers did extensive sewing, and I was around machines for as long as I can remember, I really didn't do much till my teen years. Yeah, there was the junior high apron and bathrobe, but it wasn't till I had to have tons of clothes that the excitement button got turned on. I took my little machine off to college, not that it was used very much between classes, studying, and social life :) I did have a friend, however, that made her wedding gown in the dorm lounge!

Alligator

01-03-2008, 05:15 PM

I sort of started before my answer of 20-30. My mother sewed my whole life. Made costumes, clothes, dolls, anything. I remember one time her trying to sew some cording on a pillow for me after I got my first sewing machine. She messed up and cussed (not normal for her). My daughter looked at her so funny. She then looked at my littel girl (about 12 at the time) and said "grandma cusses when she sews". It was so funny. We tease her about that now. Sadly a stroke took her ability away a year ago. But she still is spunky.

Becca

01-18-2008, 05:38 PM

My grandmother was a seamstress for a little town in northern Michigan. The town ladies would come out and bring all kinds of sewing projects for her to do. My grandmother had 5 girls and learned on her own how to sew.
The first thing she taught me was how to make a quilt. She is my hero and I miss her dearly.

Sewfaithfully

01-18-2008, 07:40 PM

I have been sewing since I was probably 8 or so. I didn't really get into it heavy till after I got married when I was 18. I made a lot of my daughter's baby clothes , crib sheets, and other things.
I was very disappointed in highschool though because I was dating my now husband and wanted to learn more about alterations and be able to make my own wedding dress. But the guidance counsellors steered people away from the sewing classes and because of lack of enrollment I never got to take them in HS. I'm pretty much self taught, trial and error...my best friend is my stitch ripper. LOL

Sewfaithfully

01-18-2008, 07:41 PM

I hope that someday my girls will think of me in the way some of you have talked about your moms amd grandmothers. :)

artsiegirl

01-18-2008, 08:10 PM

I can remember watching my mom and grandmother sewing Easter dresses for my sister and me. I must have been around 7 or 8 when I decided to make my Barbie and Easter dress from all of the scraps that I would find on the floor of the sewing room. It was really a pitiful hand-sewn little dress, but what I wouldn't give to get my hands on it. Of course, Mom and my grandmother bragged as if it was the most beautiful dress ever. I later made a red checked apron for a 4H project in 6th grade. It's amazing how I can hardly remember anything from my childhood, but those are very vivid memories I have of a special time. Mom and I now sew together quite a bit. She says I do all the "pretty things" and she does the grunge work!:o

Sewfaithfully

01-18-2008, 08:13 PM

What special memories!
I think it's great you and your mom sew together.

craftmama

01-19-2008, 07:10 AM

I took a class in Jr. High, but they never offered it in high school. Really got into sewing when I decided my children NEEDED homemade Halloween costumes. Stopped sewing for awhile, then when the kids graduated high school a friend and I signed up for a quilting class and.................off we went. (quilting was more figure friendly than the cooking and baking classes)

Cynelle

01-19-2008, 12:06 PM

I started when I was 7yrs old sewing little pillows and doll clothes for my barbies. I think I was 8 or 9 when i was allowed to use a sewing machine. I didn't sew at all for a long time until after I had my son and started making halloween costumes. From there it was downhill.

NJMo

01-23-2008, 02:45 PM

My mother sewed for other people in order to earn extra money. I had no reason to sew - she would do it for me and she insisted I was doing it wrong or was too slow. The first garmet I made for myself was in junior high and it was a show outfit for when my brother and I showed our championship pigs. Pretty funny, huh? I was in 4-H for pig showing and sewing and cake decorating. Quite versatile.

hardworkfhe

02-06-2008, 05:34 PM

My mother started me sewing in second grade. The big problem was that it was so stressful. We didn't have the money for me to make a mistake on the dress. I remember it was a sleeveless yoked dress. Some tiny pink floral print. I loved the dress after it was done!

carmelite

02-19-2008, 06:39 PM

i probably started before 11 but can't promise so don't claim it. my mother sewed us wonderful things for special occasions. i still remember the dresses i had in 1st grade and younger. one easter she made my sister and me matching dresses with *dusters*.. i thought that was so cooooll that we had "dusters". never heard of them of course. got little woven white hats with ribbons, patent leather shoes (i walked funny so they wouldn't crease.. goof!) little white gloves. can you imagine? makes me sound 100 but not so.

then in college i started sewing a lot. loved tartan plaids, the stewart i think. the red with lots to match. and match i did. loved double top stitching and matching. the plaids matched from arms to across front, pockets, etc. geeshh!!

have to tell a story on my sister... one year there was a big orchestra concert and she played violin. you've seen the commercial with the mom finding out her son needs a couple dozen cookies the NEXT day at school? well sue told my mom the night before the concert she needed a dress! a "fancy" dress. i was in grade school and don't remember how she got the material, etc. but the next night sue had a beautiful satin dress.

I'D KILL HER! oh just kidding. :)

anyway, mom asked sue why in the world she waited till the last minute to tell her she needed the dress. sue said "well i knew you could handle it mom". thats how good my mom was. beautiful sewer. however, that was not a way she liked to practice her craft!

elizabeth - missing her mom who died in may *sigh*

Carlene

02-21-2008, 08:06 PM

Ouch I had to hit the last button! Hey 40+ is better than never.

If my Mom could see me now! Oh she had no idea!

Leslie

04-09-2008, 04:46 PM

I learned to sew in 7th grade, we all made gym bags because we were all in gym for the first time and needed something to take our stinky clothes home in every Friday.

I remember my mom was mad because they made us buy really sturdy material and the thicker rope for tying and both were a little pricey. Being a single parent, she didn't have a lot of money but she purchased what was needed. That was 44 years ago, I still have that gym bag and the original rope tie. It has one teenie hole it. I use it for my dry cleaning.

JET

04-10-2008, 11:02 AM

I learned to sew at 9. I made a gathered skirt for 4-h achievement days with my grandmother's help. I received a purple ribbon and it was sent to the SD state fair. It was a great experience and I formed a special bond with her. Later in life she gave me a gold thimble that had been her mothers'. My mother was also an accomplished seamstress and especially enjoying sewing curtains. She also made my wedding gown. For me sewing is the greates stress reliever.

mandi224

05-01-2008, 02:31 PM

I started in middle school in home ec class. We had to make pillows with the middle cross stitched. So I learned to sew and cross stitch at the same time. I loved it.

ccdoster

05-01-2008, 08:19 PM

I learned to sew 2 years ago from Sew4fun. I see my age group in the poll above is just slightly bigger than the 0-5 group.

cheeky monkey

06-06-2008, 10:59 AM

My mother used to sew when we were little-I picked up a bit then. I learned most basic sew techniques in HS but didn't really pick it back up as a hobby until 6 years ago.
Sandra

Emma

06-06-2008, 01:21 PM

I was 10 I think that I can remember fully? That I sewed with a machine anyway, I remember doing wee hand stitching from probably 6?
My dad's aunty (my great aunty) passed away, and I got gifted her Elna sewing machine.
That was it, I had the bug!

for my kids

06-06-2008, 09:19 PM

my dear departed grandmother taught me when I was very young...around 7-8 I took sewing in hs homeec to have a period a day to do what I love...already knew how and the teacher just let me sew wahtever i wanted...i just strated embroidery about a yr ago and love it!!!!!!! i got my first machine at hs graduation it is now 25 yrs old and i plan on getting another one soon! but will keep that dear old viking...i still love it...just doesn't do all the fancy stitches i want. thinking of upgrading to the top of the line babylock nancy Z 2 machine soon....

Leslie

06-06-2008, 09:58 PM

I learned in junior high, I was 12. Our first project was a gym bag so we would have something to stuff our stinky gym clothes in at the end of the week. We had to make it out of a cotton demim material and a heavy cotton braided "rope" - both material and rope were kind of expensive. My mother was a single parent and she was not pleased with the cost but purchased what was required. It's now 45 years later, I still have that gym bag, completely intact, and I put my stinky dry cleaning in it now. My mom and I agreed, it was one of the best fabric investments ever.

Crab

06-17-2008, 06:14 AM

my mum sew for a living when i was young. life is better now so she doesnt need to. for me, i sew when i'm 14-15 because its in our secondary school syllabus. we have to learn cooking and sewing. now, the lessons also open for boys as well. since my mum sew for a living, there's this industrial Singer in my house. its so much faster than my school machine. the cloth just go flying when i pressed the foot pedal. :D

and err i am still nuts over how to sew things. the other day i sew wrongly onto my shirt thats has stitches coming out. my husb was the one who pointed out my mistake and laughed at me for sewing it wrongly. Boohooo!!! I'm going to attend class if i have the time. I must make the machine works!