My mom couldn't sew, she could hardly mend. I had a girlfriend who was a tomboy and a sewer due to her mom's influence. They had a treadle sewing machine and she taught me to sew. I was eight. She and I made full skirts with under slips and silly head pieces that stood up with help from bent coat hangers. These became our play costumes. I had a very cheap White sewing machine and I started sewing. By time I was a teenager my got me a top of the line Kenmore that I used (and sometimes still use) for 30 years. Then one night I was walking through a fabric store and I saw the new embroidery machines and I was rehooked. It is a wonderful profession or hobby. I'm glad my girlfriend gave me a chance.