I learned to sew in grade 7 home ec. I made a stuffed cat that turned out so badly, it looked like roadkill. In grade 8 I serged a t-shirt with a very wavy hem and 2 different length sleeves. In grade 9 I signed up for a sewing elective because I couldn't take drama until grade 10 so I had space in my timetable for something fun. I made comfy pants, a button-down shirt, a skirt, and a dress. I took a break from sewing for the rest of highschool (I wasn't really passionate about it at that point) and it wasn't until I was in university as a drama major and had to take a costuming class that I rediscovered it. I started sewing for fun and to expand my skills throughout university. I went on to work in theatre for a number of years, often in costuming departments. I've since had a career switch. I am now a highschool teacher. I teach family studies (what grew out of the old home ec courses in Ontario), specifically the fashion courses. I am teaching a whole new generation how to sew and it is wonderful. In the past few years I have used my skills to safe money on expensive child items (fitted cloth diapers, sleep sacks, etc). I am now pretty much exclusively sewing my own clothes (my post-baby body doesn't fit off the rack at all). I use sewing as a way to relax.

I think my middle school home ec teacher would be shocked that I am now teaching people how to sew. I have come a long way.