My mother was a great seamstress and sewed for the home and family. At age 12 I had sneaked to the machine and "played" and low and behold it would jam up and I would get "caught". Mom forbade me to use the machine until I had a "real class". She must have not been comfortable teaching me. In 7th grade I made my first dress..was very proud of it. Some girls wanted to make pants then, but the teacher only let one girl do that--much more timeconsuming--she was from a large family and had been sewing already for years. Much to my surprise my pattern was the same as a fellow student--who's Mom was the HS sewing instructor. Both of us laughed it off and were somewhat friends till graduation. In high school--I had the friends" mom as techer and could now do pants--made many outfits,formal dresses,grad dress. Cut out school clothes in summer and sewed on mom's Singer Featherweight at night while babysitting(when the kid's went to bed)--and making $$$$ for more sewing. Then pleasure sewing after HS and helped Mom with my wedding dress,from a bridal mag picture we used 3 patterns combined,her dress,and bridesmaids dresses..Then I had boys, sewed rarely,costumes etc. But work,kids,home,husband too busy. Still do sew and LOVE it--it's my best relaxing time! Now I have MORE time to do it!
I have a dedicated section of a room and a long-time friend who is passionate about sewing in her lifetime too! Our husbands and combined 7 sons sometimes don't UNDERSTAND us.. But now we have grandchildren who love our sewing--I hope they get the "bug". I have another Featherweight bought from a neighbor(sister has Mom's). When Mom was sick she asked me what I wanted-I think she already knew it was her sewing machine. I sold my White bought by my husband years before, he knew why--I had a MORE portable Featherweight. Mom left me a great LEGACY--passion for sewing!!! Love her more each day for it.(In 1941 she made her wedding suit by HAND--no sewing machine when she was 20. But she learned to knit,sew,crochet,embroider by aunts when she was a young girl). Wish she could be here to sew with me now that I have the time and many new sewing friends. This skill MUST be shared and passed on!!! The pleasure,income,and savings derived is immeasureable!!! SEW ON HAPPILY.....