I drafted my first "pattern" when I was 7 yrs old (a bonnet for my baby doll), was allowed to sew on my mother's sewing machine for the first time when I was 9 (I made a simple dress w/pleat center front...think they were called "tent" dresses...1966?). My mother, a professional seamstress who supported herself and 7 children, taught me well. I'm not afraid to try anything on my sewing machine! I taught myself to knit with the help of ... Read Full Bio »

I drafted my first "pattern" when I was 7 yrs old (a bonnet for my baby doll), was allowed to sew on my mother's sewing machine for the first time when I was 9 (I made a simple dress w/pleat center front...think they were called "tent" dresses...1966?). My mother, a professional seamstress who supported herself and 7 children, taught me well. I'm not afraid to try anything on my sewing machine! I taught myself to knit with the help of grandma's book and supplies (she said I was too young and she'd teach me when I was a teenager...I couldn't wait). Made my first sweater (for me!) at 16. Learned to crochet from a similar book. Learned to tat as well. By the time I was 40 I had an entire building for my creative endeavors ... affectionately called, "The Crafty Cottage" ... the size of a 4-car garage, air conditioned, heated, grapevine-covered pergola all along the south side w/4 big benches and tables. Rug loom! Paper crafting room! Computer lab! Quilting table and frame! It was FANTASTIC! 12 yrs later, we've now retired and moved FAR south so I sold most of it and now craft in what was the "master bedroom" of our new-to-us home (I'm blessed with a patient husband! He didn't mind moving our bedroom into the guest room!) I now work 1 day a week cutting fabric for customers at the local JoAnn's store. In addition, I teach sewing classes there as well as knitting, crocheting, and serger classes. GREAT WAY to meet the crafters in my NEW TOWN!