Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Behind the Seams with Michael Miller Fabrics!

Today, on Making It Fun, we're going...
Liesel Engelbrecht : Wichita, KS 
I'm Liesel! I love to sew for fun. My children are my muses and my favorite people to sew for. I learned when I was a child, my parents taught me the basics of using a sewing machine but, I did not enjoy it, and did not pick it back up until I was an adult. When blogs were exploding a couple years ago, and there were so many DIY tutorials available, I was compelled to start sewing again. A few years ago when I discovered pdf patterns, my skills really started growing, and I love the community there is for the sewing world online. I have been following Sewing Portfolios since its beginning, and am excited to start seeing these opportunities to collaborate with businesses come to fruition! 

Q: What's your favorite piece of work that you have created, your favorite project or your favorite part of the work day?
A: I have a hard time picking an all-time favorite. Often the most recent thing I made will be the favorite, because I can see better quality if my skills have grown, or a creative vision turned out better than I planned. I recently made this dress for my daughter from an old sheet, and it was her favorite fabric, and while I would not have picked it myself, it turned out so beautiful, and she's in love with it. That makes it a favorite for me. I never regret making something carefully, and taking my time with the finishes. I am a stay at home mom, and also homeschool my four children, so my work day is full of family. I usually have sewing time on Friday evenings, and that is my favorite time of the week because I can usually work uninterrupted for a couple hours. 
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Pattern testing has dominated my sewing for the last 2.5 years. While that is still the bulk of my sewing, I have started making time to sew for personal use as well. For a long time I wasn't confident enough in my sewing or fitting skills to sew for myself. Now, though, I can work on sewing my wardrobe in small amounts, as well as my children's. Although I'm never going to be a handmade only kind of girl, I love thrift shopping too much!

Q: What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
A: My work right now is pouring time, training, and love into my family. I am happy and grateful for it to be this way. The connection I have with the sewing community online keeps me in touch with opportunities to stretch my creative side, and fulfill my desire to sew. Who knows what the future holds? I would love to sew for business someday.

Q: What are you doing when you're not creating or at work? What hobbies do you have?
A: I love taking pictures and playing piano. Both of those are in maintenance mode right now, I do them when I need to, which is regularly, but they are still enjoyable for me.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A: I changed my major in college from music theater, to journalism to nursing, and finally to general studies, so I could graduate. Ha! I spent a little while with each one, and kept changing my mind.

Q: Do you have any favorite blogs/magazines/IG feeds that you follow or read? 
A: I love Dana from Made Everyday. She was one of the first blogs I started reading, and I still love following her. She is so bright and fun. I want to sew everything she shares! On Instagram I love following Angie Burgett. Her style is impeccable, I love everything she makes. 

Q:  Where else can we find you? 
A: I blog at It's Liesel and am on Instagram @itsliesel 

Q:  What else should we know about you and your work?
A: I have a lot to learn, and am always interested in improving my skills. It's also important to me to follow my own style, and not just bow to the trends. It's a skill I'm still honing. 

Q: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others? 
A: Look for the best in every situation. Assume the best in others. 

Q: Do you admire any artists / people? (famous or not!) 
A: The person I want to be like the most is my grandma! She is always up for whatever the moment holds, and figures everything out as she goes.

Q: What is your favorite....
Color: I can't choose!!! I like them all.
Animal: Cats
Season: Winter
Movie: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Book: I don't read (I need the monkey covering his eyes emoji here)
Vacation Spot: Washington Island, WI
Food: Cheesecake with raspberry sauce
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As an ambassador for Sewing Portfolios, Liesel created the looks below using Cat's Cradle (in stores now!)
Click HERE to read more about it! 
Pattern for the skirt is Mingo & Grace :: Gigi Skirt
The blouse pattern is the Symi by Lil Luxe



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