I don't know why some of you think that sewing and other "trade" classes are not taught in schools anymore.

I'm 24. When I was in 8th grade, we had one semester of home ec (basic sewing - we made an apron, basic cooking, budgeting, etc.) and another semester of wood shop.

In high school, I was in ag classes (where I learned more woodworking, welding, and so on.. not as specialized as the "shop" classes) and took a fabrics & fashion class as well. We sewed quite a bit in that class, including making dog and cat toys for the local humane society.

Maybe it's just a rural school district thing? I'm absolutely sure that those classes have not yet been discontinued in this school district (nor has art, thankfully!), even though students have the option of taking more specialized classes in similar subjects at the local technical school.

I learned how to sew very young (from my mother and grandmother), then took a specialized 4-H class on sewing when I was maybe 8 years old. We made pincushions (I still have mine!), shirts, and tote bags in that class. On my own, I've made many pillowcases, some cloaks, and done plenty of small alterations. I'm a little out of practice, so I might need to pull my mom's sewing machine out to make some curtains now. Sewing is indeed a valuable skill.