When I was young, my mother made most of my clothes and my dolls' clothes too. She was wonderful at it, but sure dressed me in a lot of flower-y stuff.

I learned to sew in mandatory 8th grade Home Ec, after she died. I hated it, but it might have had more to do with the circumstances of my life at the time, than the sewing itself.
I have M's mother's old sewing machine. I've never used it, but it's at least 17 years old, as she died a few months after we started dating.
My daughter got a new one for Christmas a year ago. From what she says, it will do everything! She got sewing lessons with it, but hasn't taken them yet. She asked if she could bring the machine over here, and set it up in my "Observatory" (caves are for men

) when she starts lessons, so that she doesn't have to put it up and take it down after using it, cause she doesn't have room. I'm thinking of asking her, if she would like to bring it over....now.

BEG....I want to make a duvet cover and use my current comforter as the stuffing. Do I need to get a pattern? Also want to make drapes, and cornice board coverings for my room. And make a dust ruffle, and drapes for guest room and it's bathroom. Will need to do some shams and toss pillows too, I guess. Do I just measure what I need, and wing it? I'm tired of looking around and not finding what I want already made, but I have seen lots of fabrics that I like.