Showing posts with label sewing portfolios. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing portfolios. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Behind the Seams with Michael Miller Fabrics!

Today, on Making It Fun, we're going Behind the Seams...
Dagbjört Linda Sigurðardóttir

My very long and difficult to pronounce name is Dagbjört Linda Sigurðardóttir (you can copy and paste it into Google Translate, choose Icelandic and hit the microphone to hear it.) I'm from Iceland but now I live in Norway. My husband got a job offer here and we decided to give it a try for a couple years and suddenly 16 years have gone by and we are still here. Before that we lived and studied in Seattle, Washington, and back then I was very happy to have my middle name. I am an optician by trade and worked in that field until a little over a year and a half ago when I switched jobs and now I work for an ophthalmologist. I love my job and I have wonderful colleagues but work and life can be stressful at times and that makes me love my sewing time in the evenings so much. I can't remember when I started a profile on patterntesters, I believe it was called, never really finished it though. When I received an email that they were making changes and it would be Sewing Portfolios from now on I was intrigued and followed the link in the email and started my new profile. I haven't added all my previous sewing to my portfolio but I add all my new makes to it. As I see it all I can do is gain from it, costs nothing - I have a diary of my sewing - somebody might notice and like my work. Like getting a chance to be a Sewing Portfolios Ambassador and play with some gorgeous fabric.
*looks feature In Bloom Collection
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 would for sure say that my favorite part of the day is my sewing time in the evenings. Don't get me wrong I love spending time with my kids too but you moms out there know what I mean! When I first started sewing about five years ago my only plan was to make some cute little skirts with elastic waistbands for my youngest daughter who was almost a year old. I was hooked on Pinterest at the time and found a tutorial and made her two skirts. After I washed them for the first time the inside was a total mess and I remember that we learned in school that you should zigzag your edges on woven fabric. This then led me in the direction of sewing blogs and the rest is history, I now have a fabric/pdf pattern/sewing addiction! But starting out with this simple goal of little skirts makes my favorite pieces the three outerwear garments I made for myself and love to wear. The bomber jacket, the cocoon coat and the blazer. These patterns I tested for Wardrobe By Me and with all of them at first I thought jeez what have I gotten myself into, I can't do this! But slowly and carefully with the trusted seam ripper by my side I got them done and I loved seeing them come together bit by bit and I wear them with pride.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: At the moment we are doing a bit of work at our house. My youngest two who share a room are now staying in my sewing room as we make the new room. While we are getting that done all I can do is swoon over the gorgeous makes everybody else is posting.
*Dagbjört next to her sewing machine in her sewing room/kid's room
Q: What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
A: I can't say I have any specific goals, I love my life as it is. All I want is to see my kids happy and grow up to become good adults. Oh and of course keep on learning sewing techniques and grow my fabric and pattern stash.

Q: What are you doing when you're not creating or at work? What hobbies do you have?
A: After work and dealing with housework, homework and after school activities sewing is the only hobby I have time for. My husband is away for work a lot so most of the time I'm doing everything that needs to be done at home myself.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A: Maybe that we have two older kids. On the blog and Instagram you just see me and my two youngest. Our older kids are 21 and 18, I have sewn a couple things for them as well but they refuse to be photographed and shown to the world.

Q: Do you have any favorite blogs/magazines/IG feeds that you follow or read? 
A: I am ashamed to say that I don't spend as much time as I did browsing through the blogs I have saved in my Bloglovin' list. But I love Sewing Like Mad for tips and tricks. My Instagram is pretty much all sewing related and it's full of amazingly talented ladies and a couple of gents. I simply can't choose a favorite.

Q:  Where else can we find you? 
A: I blog here: bydagbjort and my Instagram is @bydagbjort

Q:  What else should we know about you and your work?
A: I don't think there is much more to me really. I'm a bit of an introvert I have a few but very good friends that I love to be with. A good night at home with friends and or family chatting about everything and nothing, a nice meal and some wine and I'm very happy.

Q: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others? 
A: Not all your projects will turn out as great as you thought in the beginning but don't be afraid to try again cause practice makes perfect!

Q: Do you admire any artists / people? (famous or not!) 
A: Can't really say that I do. I admire good honest people that treat others with respect and kindness, pretty corny perhaps. I don't like idolization and I never remember names anyway.

Q: What is your favorite....
Color: All the variations of blue and lately pink too.
Animal: Well we have a dog and a cat.
Season: Summer!
Movie: A good romantic comedy like the Bridget Jones movies
Book: So totally different from my movie taste, I love crime novelles f. eks. by Jo Nesbø a Norwegian author.
Vacation Spot:The Greek islands, we once stayed in Skiathos and what an amazingly beautiful place.
Food:Spicy Indian food.
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As an ambassador for Sewing Portfolios, Dagbjört created the looks below using In Bloom by Sandra Clemons (in stores now!)
Click HERE to read more about them! 

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Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Behind the Seams with Michael Miller Fabrics!

Today, on Making It Fun, we're going...
Jennifer (Kate) Morgan, Northern Illinois
I'm a wife and mom to four kids ages 21, 18, 13 and 6. I stay at home 42 weeks of the year, and am a full time CPA/tax preparer 10 weeks of the year. I've been sewing most of my life, as early as age 5 or 6 if I remember correctly. This is my first time working with Sewing Portfolios and it has been great fun!

Q: What's your favorite piece of work that you have created, your favorite project or your favorite part of the work day?
A: Apart from my wedding dress, I will have to say that my favorite piece that I have created to date was Isla Eve (Snazziedrawers) for my daughter's 3rd birthday. A lot of time and love went into that dress!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm working on Christmas gifts at the moment (I usually procrastinate - not this year!) I keep telling myself I'll take a week off of sewing to organize the craft room, but that never seems to happen.

Q: What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
A: I have been working hard to improve my photography. It's been a long slow process, but my goal is to one day really feel comfortable with my camera and editing software. My life goals are to maintain a happy healthy home and remain close to my family and friends.
Q: What are you doing when you're not creating or at work? What hobbies do you have?
A: If I'm not sewing or working, you'll find me running my kids to and from their activities, bike riding/walking, and organizing church youth activities.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A: I can recite all 50 states in alphabetical order!

Q: Do you have any favorite blogs/magazines/IG feeds that you follow or read? 
A: I've been following the Soul Mama Blog consistently for almost 10 years. I haven't made it into the world of Instagram yet, although my kids tell me it's where I need to be.

Q:  Where else can we find you? 
A: Blog: Kate and Crew & Facebook: kate.jennifermorgan

Q:  What else should we know about you and your work?
A: I've been sewing most of my life, being taught by my mom, and she was taught by her mother. My favorite things to sew are little girl's dresses. I also love to make doll clothing and accessories.

Q: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others? 
A: Be grateful and create happiness wherever you are in this life.

Q: Do you admire any artists / people? (famous or not!) 
A: I admire my parents for setting a great example of how to live life.

Q: What is your favorite....
Color: Green
Animal: Cat
Season:Summer
Movie: Forrest Gump
Book:Little House on the Prairie
Vacation Spot: Camping
Food:Nachos
*Kate's beautiful cat!

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As an ambassador for Sewing Portfolios, Kate created the looks below using In Bloom by Sandra Clemons (in stores now!)
Click HERE to read more about them! 


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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