Hello Emma and welcome. You've made a good choice of forum
It sounds as if you are already very much at home in front of your sewing machine!
I sewed a few things especially for my boys when they were little as in those days it really was financially worth while and also made myself a few simple garments. I'm not really into fashion and hate having to get dressed up so never persued garment making.
When I was very young I made clothes for my dolls and my dear dad helped me with those. I remember him showing me how to do 'lazy daisy' stitch as he'd been shown at school in the 20's. Mum taught me to knit and she was very good at embroidery but never showed me. She used to sit outside in the playpen on sunny days surrounded by her threads where my sister and I couldn't interfer!
Anyway I've always liked crafts and making things and I know exactly what you and others mean about it getting you through. I can vividly remember opening a big bag of wool I'd ordered and feeling happy for the first time after going through a still birth.
Nowadays I dabble in a lot of different fabric and thread related things (never getting good at any of them
) but patchwork and quilting is the main one. Discussions and projects for this are to be found in 'the dark side' on this forum.
It's great to be amongst such a creative, talented and helpful group of people and I really enjoy seeing what others have made whether it's garments or quilts. Looking forward to seeing your creations as well.
How good that you've turned you convalesence to such good purpose!
L