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!
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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