I'm still in the process of learning how to sew, though I don't think I'll ever be "finished" learning. I remember being little and my mother teaching the basics of sewing by hand. I enjoyed it and made a few little stuffed Christmas ornaments and cat toys. My grandmother tried to teach me to sew on her old Singer 301. I guess I was about 10 at the time, and it was so difficult to use the knee lever control, even when sitting on a stack of books. I became frustrated and after making a pillow, didn't really do anything else. Fast forward 20 years, and at a flea market I see an old Singer for sale-a model 66, electrified. I swear it was calling to me. Needless to say, it followed me home. I found a shop that could clean it and get it properly timed, and then started the process of learning how to use it. I started by sewing dog collars and then fleece coats and dressy brocade coats for some very spoiled hounds. While it can't do any fancy stitches, it will sew through just about anything. I've also made more practical items like curtains for the living room, purses, and a padded sling to help my inlaws' senior dog walk. Now it's time for me to take it up to the next step- I really want to try making more difficult items like suit jackets, corsets and period reproductions (like a frock coat). Who knew that the kid my grandmother couldn't get to sew would love it so much?