I started sewing my own clothes and knitting my own mittens and scarves when I was very young. I learned these lifelong skills at home, from my mother and grandmother, who took great pride in making things with their hands.

Since then, I did not always have the time to sew or knit as often as I might have liked, but I always returned to these handcrafts before the holidays, when making gifts for family, friends, and colleagues. One year it was aprons with different pockets for gardening versus cooking; another year I made sweet little vests using the most beautiful black wool yarn spun from my own sheep.

Now that I am a grandmother myself, I have rediscovered the thrill of such creations. For instance, by taking simple fabrics—including my vast collection of vintage tea towels—and using uncomplicated patterns and basic stitches (and no zippers, snaps, or even buttons), I made sundresses with matching bloomers for my granddaughter.

I look forward to teaching my grandchildren how to sew, embroider, knit, and quilt, just as my grandmother taught me. Thanks to her—and my mother, who sewed a nightgown for me each year throughout her life—I’m inclined to make things that are unique, and that I could never find in a store. I hope you will learn to (re)discover the same satisfaction.

Remember to start with the best-quality materials for your budget, as they will determine the quality of what you make. And take the time to enjoy the process as much as the end result.