My mom was one of those great seamstresses. She could sew anything. I learned in high school, back in the 70's. It was ok, but didn't really push me into sewing. Then my dad got sick (collapsed lung), he quit smoking and finally put on some weight (tall, very slender man). The extra lbs looked great on him, but his work clothes needed some alterations, take out some waist seams, plus one of his legs was about a 1/2 inch longer than the other, so I started doing his alterations for extra cash. My mom showed me how and since I had the sewing basics, it was cool. I did a little sewing here and there after that until my girls were born,then I started sewing them little outfits that they loved. For holidays if I made the outfits for me and my girls, their dad would get a matching tie. I still sew, but more craft type sewing. I create my own patterns now and love it.