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?

[PinkyMinxy]

nickebabe and ovingthesilverfox

My parents told me I was cack-handed and used it as an excuse not to teach me/tell me I wouldn't be able to do a lot of things -sewing machines, ironing, origami, knitting, playing an instrument. It's all baloney, of course, and I am gradually teaching myself to do all of these things, except the ironing, unless for sewing projects lol.

OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper I think we are a similar age- and it was very similar for me, crazy how sexist it was. All changed now I hope!

[PinkyMinxy]

lovingthesilverfox

Sorry- typing was not on list, you'll notice!!

[TwoIfBySea]

I learned in Primary 7, we made a cushion and a dress each and that was that. I used to make my own clothes due to my mother not agreeing with the concept of style.

[dizzyday07]

I learnt the basics to sew at achool where us girlies had to take Needlework - whilst the boys got Woodwork & Metalwork - lucky beggers

I have continued throughout my life - and even made a dress for my first wedding!

My gran taught me to knit. Despite me being lefthanded I never had any problem. I can also do very basic crochet.

I have also dabbled with tapestry and cross-stitch - again all self taught

[OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper]

That last post has reminded me that in Primary 6, (fourth year to us), the girls got a knitting lesson once a week while the boys played football.

Occasionally a boy was made to join the knitters as a punishment - the humiliation was so cruel!

Then in secondary school we did needlework, which I always thought I was rubbish at because I'm a technophobe, but I got top marks in the third form exam.
Wasn't allowed to continue with it though, as the top stream weren't allowed to do Needlework or Domestic Science.

[Platesmasher]

arf at knitting as punishment.

DS2 about to start school....it's different now right?

[Hormonesnomore]

My friend taught me to use a sewing machine when I was 17. I went on to make dresses for myself & clothes for my children - mostly pyjamas & nighties as it was so much cheaper in those days. Now, as granny23 says, it's more economical to buy outfits.

My mum taught me to knit and I made all my baby cardigans. She knitted beautifully and her work was photographed & published for magazine patterns.

My DDs have never been interested in dressmaking or knitting but are otherwise quite crafty, making cards, scrapbooks, cross stitch, etc.

[Washersaurus]

My mum did sew a little, but I mostly mastered it at school in Home Economics classes.

Now, knitting is a different thing altogether; my mum is fab at it and taught me when I was younger (or tried to at least), she has since given me tutorial books to follow and I still can't do it

[moocowme]

yes, yes, yes. I used to make everything i wore as it was cheaper AND i cn make things to fit my very hourglass figure. these day i make about 50% of my own clothes.

a man at our local markets sells remnents from the coming years high street chains for £1 a metre.

i also like to have clothes from natural farics like cotton, linen, wool and silk. all the high street stuff seems to synthetics these days which i wont wear.

ever holiday or trip i go on also includes a visit to any fabric shops in the area. recently i visited my fav one overseas that does dress quality silk similar to what you get in Monsoon for $10AU a metre. i now have several more silk blouses and dresses after that trip at considerably cheaper than monsoon prices (and not lined with polyester fabric either!!).

i still think it is cheaper and nicer to make your own things you just have to put some effort into it. I currently have 5 big storage bags in the loft of fabrics and habadashery waiting to be made into things, which they all eventually will be.

[neversaydie]

My Mum trained as an OT during the War, when it was a lot more craft based than now, and she is superb at all sorts of crafty things. She made all our clothes when we were little, and somehow we got used to choosing colour and cut so as we grew older we learned to sew, as well.

Neither Grandmother was particularly competent at textile work, and I was in academic streams at school, so it was really only Mum who taught me.

I taught myself to knit as a student, but never mastered crochet or tatting.

I don't do much these days, no time, but the sewing machine comes out for costumes for nativity plays and so-on, and I still have a super collection of fabrics.

[Anste]

Yes to all. Learnt from mum and Grandma, also school. My DD has not interest at all -not surprising when mum does it for her I suppose. Her DH bought her a book and tries to encourage her to sew on buttons - no chance!!