How I learned To Sew!

I think some people are just born with creativity but like with everything, to get good at something it takes perserverance, determination, and practice.  People always ask me how did I learn to sew?  I remember I was about 9 years old I made my doll a dress with some fabric stash that I had found.  What stands out is I somehow added beads & jewels (shocker, not really, the people that know me lol).  I joined 4-H around 4th grade and I had to make an apron.  My mom was very, very sick and not in the home.  I got help from a neighbor.  I think I got a certificate for participation.  I joined sewing again in 7th grade and I had to make a skirt.  I placed 1st, I think because it was long and I looked like a "Walton" Girl, instead of a short & sassy skirt that the "Brady" girls wore.  I could never wear a "Brady' skirt, I never had the legs for it.  Fastforward to junior year in highschool.  I impulsively decided to make my own prom dress. I bought this pink gingham check material at TG &Y.  I cried and cried, the pattern was too hard but I was brought up to never give up.  I place 3rd in the 4-H competition.  There was 3 of us.  My prom date, a distant cousin thought my dress was pretty, he said I looked like Ellie Mae Clampett.  Fastforward 20 years, I pregnant with my 4th daughter and I see some embriodered work that was done on a machine.  I was mesmerized when I found out a machine could do all of that with a touch of a button.  I was hooked.  My husband surprised me with a small embriodery machine Christmas of 1999.  That following Easter season I had a small booth at a craft show.  Did I make money?... Nope, never did or will make any money in all my endeavors in the future. LOL.... After I got my embriodery machine I decided to start sewing again.  I read every sewing book out on the market.  I would watch Sewing With Nancy, Sandra Betzina, Marth Pullen and Susan Kalje.  I like easy sewing.  Having four girls maybe is  probably why I like making little girl clothes.  I like simple patterns and simple instructions.  I tend to make the same thing over and over because I don't like to be challenge too much with a pattern in which I spend a lot of time ripping.  I also love sewing or crocheting baby blankets.  I joined the ASG in Baton Rouge around 2000 or 2001.  I have learned so much from the members over the years. I would say I learned more from the members than all the tv shows & books about sewing combined.  The Quilt Show in Houston and the Sewing Retreats I've been to are some of my fondest memories.  I encourage all young people to get a hobby, it's good for the soul.  Happy Sewing~Desiree Dugas