How many of you can actually sew, use a sewing machine and make clothes? And did you learn from your mother?

[Platesmasher]

I've signed up for some beginner lessons as I did a bit at school but have forgotten it all. My mum taught my sister but not me. I just wondered if most mums can sew or if it's kind of dying out?

[poguemahone]

I can't get enough of sewing! I hadn't done any since I left school, but I bought a sewing machine last month and I haven't slept properly since. I'm getting addicted to the sense of accomplishment I get from producing a piece of misshapen clothing. The DC are too young to realise they're wearing mangled creations, and once I get good I might be able to make something I can wear outside.

I learned at school and a little from my mum when I was a child. My grandmother was a tailoress and it never dawned on me to ask her to teach me when she was alive.

I'd forgotten most of what I ever learned, so YouTube is now my friend, as well as iTunes how-tos.

[wilbur]

Yes, yes and yes, here too, although I did have sewing lessons at school. I love sewing but don't have much time for it at the mo. Am currently making some curtain for my goddaughter and they have been cut out and waiting for assembly for weeks! Interestingly though, a friend and her teenage dd came over today the dd is very into sewing and I know friend did not really teach her. She took a course and went from there, plus she has a new machine and they are very easy to get started on and build confidence, I think (unlike the 1940s temperamental Elna that I learned on).

[KembleTwins]

My mum taught me. I'm not that great, but have made my DTs skirts and dresses for the last couple of years. All very easy patterns. It's a useful skill - I have made costumes for school plays (am drama teacher) too. DTs are only 3 though, so suspect it's only a matter of time before they object to "home made"

[weegiemum]

My Mum can't sew but my Gran taught me.

Top tip for beginners - FLEECE! It doesn't fray, is easy to cut, easy to sew and you can get loads of patterns for it that are dead simple.

I do tend to make my own patterns, mind, but Gran taught me that too years back.

Am in the process of teaching all my dcs to knit (Mum taught me that). Ds thinks it is cool cos Grommit does it!

[pseudoname]

can someone link to this online tutorial please?

[blithedance]

Yes to all those. My mum taught me to sew (including embroidery) and knit, she is a truly skilled seamstress. I think it must be aptitude because my sister won't sew on a button.

These days all I do is alterations, with a flurry of activity at Christmas. But I love it if I'm asked to make anything like bridal accessories. Mum and I sewed my wedding dress, all the bridesmaid dresses.

I can't bring myself to buy made to measure curtains knowing I could do them cheaper.

Agree that sewingpatternreview is a great website, it got me going on a cocktail dress last year that was my first serious stitched garment in about a decade.

I know a couple of other people who can sew (one ex professional one a keen amateur) it would be so sad if the skills died out - what is a society that can't clothe itself?

[OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper]

my mum taught me the basics of knitting when I was tiny, then I think I figured out using patterns myself (probably with her input). Don't knit now though, I find it too labour-intensive and the results are always disappointing.

I can sew, just from using patterns to make costumes and such, but have never really applied myself, and there aren't any courses around here.
Would love to learn pattern making - I was so impressed seeing this done on Project Catwalk.

I'd love a dedicated sewing room with a wide table and the machine permanently 'up' - would save the fag of lugging the machine out and putting it away again after making hardly any progress as it's time to eat.

I've discovered the 'Sew Hip' magazine, which is good for beginners, and I've been making a cushion with DD (she's 11) - I did most of the machine sewing but she's made button corsages to decorate it.

I think things might be changing for the next generation, but during my early twenties enjoying 'crafty' or traditionally female pursuits was something to be hidden -people would almost brag about how useless they were.

[PinkyMinxy]

I can sew, make clothes, make patterns, use a machine. All self-taught. My mother was not interested in teaching me anything.

I like making clothes out of other clothes,either altering or unpicking and using the cloth- recycling, I suppose, but I make things to sell, too.

I started making a lot of thigns at art school- making sculptures from cloth- but many of the (male) tutors were dismissive of this, so I stopped to preserve my grades- how shocking is that??!

[Platesmasher]

wow. this thread took off.
so good to see so many of you are sewing or at least could if you had the time/inclination etc.

I love programs like project catwalk and would love to learn how to make my own clothes or even make boring stuff more interesting.

Am excited about the class now, thanks.

[OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper]

Pinky, I remember being mocked and derided at art school for wanting to make a knitted landscape.

Myself and another girl started what I suppose would now be called textiles projects while the lead tutor was away, and the (female) tutor was really encouraging of this.
He came back and threw a fit, literally said he wasn't having the studio 'like a mother's meeting'(!)

Tracy Emin is the same age as me; it'd be interesting to know whether she had to deal with that sort of attitude.
(No, I don't think I could have been Tracey Emin if it wasn't for that experience - too lazy and chaste!)

[feedthegoat]

Yes. It was sort of of family thing though as my Grandad owned a haberdashery and fabric shop. I worked there as a Saturday girl as a teenager then later full time for a year after he sold the business.

My mum and grandma taught me to sew (and a few other craft type things such as cross stitch, quilting etc). I even made my own suit for my first proper job interview! It was great as a teenager as if I saw a dress I liked, ever I or my mum could make it for the weekend!

My mil taught me to knit at 19 when I found out my best friend was pregnant and I wanted to knit a shawl. I stayed up half the night before the christening finishing it despite starting when she was about 3 months pregnant.

But, that said I haven't done it for years so would probably struggle now! I think dress making itself if dying out as it just doesn't make financial sense to make your own clothes anymore. The lady who bought my grandads shop is still going but probably because she switched to curtain making.

[GentleOtter]

We had sewing lessons in Primary school and had to make our cookery aprons. My Granny was a seamstress and used to make all the clothes for my Sindy doll then would show me how to stitch on the buttons, take up hems and how to dart to make the clothes fit.

Everyone knitted (except Mum who never had the time) so I don't remember who taught me but while I do knit, I'm very slow at finishing things.

My machine is an old treadle type which does only one type of stitch and I'm always hopeful that one Christmas there will be a shiny new machine which does reverse stitching and everything.

[lynniep]

I can sew/knit/crochet etc. It was my step-mum taught me to start with, but I've always been naturally handy with stuff like that. We also were taught at school starting at about 8 and from 10 we had lessons using sewing machines too.

Its a great set of skills that I havent lost over time. I was knitting complicated stuff when I was ten years old - its a relaxing hobby and keeps your fingers out the biscuit tub

Sewing I find more tedious - it involves a lot more finicky tasks - but I'm still glad I know what I'm doing and if something really needs doing (like recently needing to reduce single duvet to cotbed size) I will eventually pull my finger out and do it.

[IotasCat]

I learnt at home on my mother's old hand Singer. I used to make a lot of my own clothes, but haven't bothered for years.

These days it's mainly fancy dress for the kids.

[moulesfrites]

I an very interested in this thread as I just bought a sewing machine last week!! My mum is a professional dressmaker so I grew up surrounded by sewing but didn't really take that much of an interest, but that has changed as I have got older.

So far I have just made a couple of cushion covers and some little heart things to hang on door knobs etc, but am quite pleased with my accomplishments.

Am thinking of going to get some patterns to extend me repertoire. There are some lovely ideas on this site too - not really patterns as such, but might be worth a try - going to give the fabric leaves a go as they look pretty straightforward!!

www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/free_patterns.php

[GentleOtter]

Ooh moules, which machine did you get?

[troutpout]

i can knit..any pattern and can make up small patterns. I do enjoy knitting

I can sew a bit...but don't really enjoy doing it...and will do anything to avoid.

I can use a sewing machine rather unconfidently...don't enjoy it.

All taught by my mother

I cannot crochet (neither can my mother)

I have taught dd (6) the basics of knitting.

[moulesfrites]

a john lewis own brand one, had a little tutorial from the lovely lady in the shop, was around £200. Probably. My mum advised me against the £100 one as she said too lightweight for curtains etc.

[nickelbabe]

lovingthesilverfox

"My Mum used to make loads of clothes and curtains etc. She did it at O-Level at school, and because she was left handed couldn't use the sewing machines in those days very easily so stitched everything by hand."

that's quite interesting: the guy who invented the sewing machine, Elias Howe, was left-handed and put everything on the sewing machine in such a position that it's easier for lefties to use (think about it: the hard arm is on the right hand side, but the bit where the fabric goes, has more room to move and needs more control is on the left)
It's probably more likely that the teachers made her feel inadequate about being lefthanded so she felt less confident using one...
kudos to her handstitching though! my hand stitches look as neat as they did when i first learnt at 5yo!!

[ZZZenAgain]

My mother could sew and used a machine but she did not teach us chldren to use it. I had a friend (when I was already grown up) who made a lot of her clothes herself and did a really good job. she encouraged me to have a go and I gave it abash using books and patterns, but I felt I didn't really know the tricks of the trade so things would come apart a bit in the wash or not be absolutely right etc.

[ZZZenAgain]

haven#t sewn anything at all, even a button in years. Dd asked me to teach her to sew but tbh I am wondering if I am the best person to do that

[Bumperslucious]

I can sew ok, used to do it a lot as a kid, made little animals and puppets and stuff, not sure how I learned. My mum can sew ok too but I don't think she taught me.

I'm not a great knitter, but have recently discovered crochet and not looked back! I love it! Someone at my knitting group taught me the basic chain and a couple or stitches but the rest I have taught myself from online tutorials.

I taught myself how to use a sewing machine to make a teepee for DD's birthday, which is fab, if a little rough around the edges. Wish I could afford a proper workshop or something though. I'd love to learn dressmaking or upholstery.

[ByThePowerOfGreyskull]

I can sew, my mum can sew but she didn't teach me, I learned at boarding school.

I enjoy sewing now as a hobby

[DidEinsteinsMum]

My mum taught me basic skills and i self taught myself. we both dress make and she reconds i have surpassed her skills, i think i still have more to learn from her. Would to do a proper dress making course.
Wizz with counted cross as well- was taught that by an exasperated mother who wanted me to learn to sit
Can knit but can't knit from a pattern yet i dont get the abbrevs. But i knit scandinavian way so can pick up a book. Am planning to pin mum down for that bit at some point.

This month i made 2 pairs of tab top curtains, i have made stuff easter chicks, the bag on my profile, various skirts, plus working on a ptachwork tablecloth, and baby quilts/playmats. I have a top pattern that is on my list to do but as it needs adapting it will have to wait for now. Too many UFO's and going back to uni in sept.

[pasturesnew]

Yes, learned in 6th form in the elective bit - asked the Home Ec teacher what to do and they showed me how to use the machine, read a pattern and put in a zip. My mum would have helped but in typical teenager manner I thought I would learn for myself