Sewing has been around forever, but the funny thing is that outside of the “fancy” machines that we have now to speed up the process, the basic elements are the same.
Needle + Thread + Fabric = Magic
What started out as a necessity and an art form that was past down from mother to daughter for generations has morphed into something completely different today. Over time, as clothing started being mass produced and quick fashion became a modern convenience, the time-honored tradition became less popular; and although sewing experienced a brief lapse in popularity for a few decades, it has since seen an explosive resurgence over the last 25 years or so. This means that there’s a large percentage of the sewing population who didn’t have the skill passed down as a family tradition and I’m wondering… What’s your story?
For example, my story is a complete mash up. I grew up watching my mother spend many late nights sitting behind her machine, snuggling under the covers on Saturday’s while my Grandmother darned socks and had a Home Economics teacher with great patience. Each of these women had a role in shaping my sewing journey in their own way.
From my Grandmother, I learned that even the basic sewing techniques have great importance in our everyday lives; my Home Economics teacher reminded me that practice and patience are two very important skills needed to master sewing but the most important lesson I received was from my mother. It was actually an unspoken lesson, one that I hope to pass down to my girls by example- pride in workmanship.
It was not until my college years that I had “hands on” formal training at the Fashion Institute of Technology. There I learned everything from draping to pattern making and even the fine art of hand tailoring. It was an amazing experience that propelled me into an amazing career within the fashion industry.
Each of these lessons helped my passion for sewing grow into what it is today.
These days young and old, male and female are learning how to sew on their own terms. Whether blogs, online courses or within their local community, there’s no longer a shortage of ways to learn this valuable skill. I was curious to find out how some of my readers learned how to sew, so I shared the question from The Daily Seam on my Facebook page recently.
The response was crazy, amazing!
Here’s a list of just a portion of their responses.
- Self-Taught
- Home Economics Class
- Mom
- Grandmother
- Sister
- Online Tutorials
- Neighbor
- 4-H
- Dad
- Grandfather
- Local Store
Learning To Sew
What about you? What’s your story? How did you learn to sew? Please share your story in the comments below.
Hello! Are you new here?
Do you want to learn more about sewing? If so, be sure to sign up for our newsletter HERE and never miss a stitch! Daily Sewing Tips, Everyday Projects and Fantastic Inspiration delivered straight to your mailbox!
Bonus– free download with newsletter sign up.
Feel free to connect with me on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. I look forward to getting to know you and stitching up a storm!
Comments & Reviews
My mom sent me to sewing school over a couple of summers starting in the 6the grade. I learned how to draft my own patterns and became the family seamstress for many years. I still make my own patterns and sew for my brother, sister in law and boyfriend when time permits.
I had 3 years of Home-Ec and a fourth year without credit just because I loved the class and the teacher.Learned garment sewing but not quilting. That came 30 years later but I am really enjoying playing catch-up!
I’m pretty much self taught. Mom’s sewing machine sat in the dining room with a stack of mending on top that hardly ever got touched. She taught us to had embroider. The first project I tackled was to shorten a long prom gown when I was in 9th grade. I took off the ruffle, cut off the excess skirt and sewed the ruffle back on while Mom was napping. From then on in, I bought patterns, fabric and experimented. It wasn’t until I was 25 that I took private classes on sewing with knits. I took my first quilting class in my 30s but I can’t say that it gave me sewing machine expertise. For me it was trial and error and reading.
Since I was a hyperactive kid, my great grandfather sat me down at a treadle machine and told me to learn to sew at age eight. I found it fascinating to make something I could wear or give as a gift. At age 12 I had Home economics and began to hone my skills. By 14 I was making most of my own clothes and I have been sewing ever since. I joined Husqvarna Viking in 2000 and learned so much about the use of machines and ways to embellish clothing and home decor. It was a great learning experience. I joined Susquehanna Sewing Guild and continue to learn as the group is always sharing and teaching. At 75 I still make many pieces of clothing and home decor. Sewing is so much a part of me that I cannot imagine not sewing and creating. I love a challenge and learning new ways of sewing. Thank you for continuing to share ideas and products that makes sewing so much fun and satisfying.
I learn how to sew from my Mother, both Grandmothers, a neighbor, wonderful teachers in Jr high and high school, college professors, TV, Internet, friends, quilt shops, retreats, and at 66 I am still learning.
#1 My Mom taught me. She sat me down to the machine when I was 6 years old. I was a 1950 Singer with the knee press for the peddle. She said do not put your fingers here (under the needle) that is where the fabric goes. She gave me fabric and let me play and learn. My first project was a bag for my marbles. Later she taught me sewing vocabulary and how to read a pattern. The basis for the next 60 years of loving sewing.
I leant from books, the internet and my wife