As a child growing up, I remember my mother calling me to her side to teach me how to sew a button back on a shirt, mend a hole with a handstiched patch, or hem a pant leg with needle and thread. As I got a little older, she would encourage me to sit at her old Singer machine and stitch a line or two of a garment she was working on. Usually it was a pair of trousers for my dad, or a skirt of her own that needed alterations. I remember being somewhat intimidated by the power of the grey and black metal machine as it ran thru rows like it was on a racetrack. “Watch your fingers and mind your petal” she would stress, knowing all to well of the risk of the stitch loosing its course or even worse, me loosing the tip of my finger to an unforgiving needle. Though I simply LOVED to design clothing, I wasn’t yet interested in actually doing the work of constructing a garment of my own. In fact, it wouldn’t be until I had to make a clothing bag for a project in my local Brownie Troop, that I would express any interest in manning the helms of the “Singer”. With my moms assistance, I completed one, two, three whole seems and a handstitched opening to allow a drawstring to pass thru. No fingers lost, no fabric destroyed, and best of all, a finished project that I was not only proud of, but my mother was too. And though my biggest fan and teacher has traded her vessel of flesh for beautiful Angelic wings, memories of both her and my first time sewing are still ingrained today in the very bag I made over 30 years ago.
It would be memories like these that would prompt our family of crafters and seamstresses here at J&O Fabrics, to venture out of our own circle of conversation and extend our curiosities to our customers as well. So, a few weeks ago, we posted a people pole on our Facebook Page asking our valued fans and seamstresses the age old question…
“Who first taught you how to sew?”
Since we have both novices as well as veterans, some had to really dig deep into their memory banks to recall, but once they did, the flood gates came down! From moments of nostalgia and endearing recollections, to the down right humorous filled our comments list as one by one, our devoted fans shared their stories with us and one another. Many owed their skills to their loving and patient mothers, while almost all gave credit to our long lost Home Economics classes (whatever happened to those?!) For our readers who may have missed out on the exchange, we’ve gathered a few of the more memorable ones with the thought that you might find reflections of your own first experiences in one or two of them. So sit back and enjoy.
” My mom was my first teacher. Then I had a GREAT home ec teacher in jr. High, Miss Craig. Both were very patient. Too bad I didn’t pay much attention!” -Betty Mikie Bocell Rust
” My mom and 7th grade home ec teacher…and then it became an obsession because i wanted those dang “hot pants” lol – now I’ve moved on to sewing quilt tops.” -Cindy Derryberry
” I took all of the home EC classes that my schools offered. My oldest sister had the most patients teaching me on weekends. She is 20 years older than me, so I would go stay with her and she would give me projects to work on. We still have the best relationship and still enjoy sewing together. I make my living as an upholstery seamstress for a Custom Furniture and Interior Design company.
I also make purses and sell them at craft fairs.” -Jackie Lake
“Me! and McCalls’ “learn to sew” patterns. Didn’t get home ec classes in my high school, but in the late 70’s I stumbled on these patterns that introduced basic concepts like buttons, zippers, gathering, set-in sleeves just a couple at a time, with a very detailed instruction booklet. After a while, if I thought I could make it better/cheaper, I wouldn’t buy it. Even made a wool coat and a custom pair of jeans, using a favorite pair as a pattern.” –Eileen Kelly-Meyer
” My mom started teaching me when I was five. By the time I got to home ec in high school, my technique improved and I started teaching her….” –Amy Reynaud
“My mom taught me to sew…im now trying to teach my 5yr.old Sadie!!!!!” –Joann Rhine
” My mom and then later in school. Sure enjoyed my mom as the teacher though! ” –Donna Pheneger
” 4 H projects, my mom and a wonderful high school home ec teacher who actually developed additional courses just for me. Clothing Construction 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Etc.” – Sandy Boaz Brown
“My sweet and tireless grandmother taught me. I developed more skills in home ec, and I just practice. Sewing is good, fitting is harder!” – Eldonna Ashley
” My mom. 😉 And now I teach people how to sew. ;)” –Jennifer Ziehl Vacca
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My Mom taught me . It was so long ago that I don’t even remember when she started. I guess I was just a toddler when I would stand next to her and watch. She was amazing. Almost all my clothes were made by her. I did take Home Ec in school but that was a disaster. The teacher insisted on the size pattern I should use even though I knew it was wrong. Never did wear that jumper. Now I have a small sewing business. It’s Named “My Mother’s Apron” after the first apron my Mom made me and everything thing I learned at her apron strings.
Great story and testimony Ruth of ‘My Mother’s Apron”. Thanks for the sharing!