How I Make All My Own Clothes With 5 Kids and No Time

In this video, I'll take you through the chaotic yet fulfilling journey of how I manage to sew my own outfits while juggling the responsibilities of being a parent to five energetic kids.

Life as a busy parent can be overwhelming, but I've found solace and joy in expressing my creativity through sewing. Join me as I share my tips, tricks, and time-saving hacks for creating stylish garments that fit into my hectic schedule.

From selecting fabrics to stitching up the final piece, I'll walk you through the entire process while giving you a glimpse into the chaos (and love!) that comes with raising a big family.
So grab your sewing kit and join me on this sewing adventure! Don't forget to hit the like button, subscribe to my channel for more sewing content, and let me know in the comments how you balance your passion projects with your busy life.


⏰ Time Stamps ⏰
0:00 - Intro
4:46 - Balancing Productivity With Flexibility
7:37 - How (and Why) to "Find the Time to Create" As a Mom
13:41 - The Worst Mess Up Ever
18:36 - Starting the Top Half of the Dress
25:00 - Vintage Sewing Machinery
35:00 - The Heating Problem
40:00 - Finishing the Wrap Blouse Neckline

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[glendagai]

So Mom of 6, grandmother of 10 looking back. …..Believe it or not, I would go back to those days in a minute if I had the opportunity and ENERGY. I quilted, sewed and took care of the children. My husband was a very troubled man who never worked consistently so we were poor. I also worked as a nurse part time. I have no idea how I did it….. but I did… You said something that was quite interesting. You did not always play with your children when you were sewing. Smart Mothers…. You don’t need to entertain your children every second. Think about our ancestors. These women could not play, they just had to work to survive. Please be kinder to yourself. Give yourself grace. Take a deep breath and take it day by day. I knew discouragement also. Remember when the Bible says Her children arise and call her blessed. Your children will. You are doing a great job.!

[WomenLivingTorah]

I’ve dabbled in learning to sew the past five years, but machine issues always left me frustrated. I switched to hand sewing two years ago, and it made me fall in love with sewing— not just for the functionality of having clothes to wear, but as a genuinely enjoyable skill and satisfying labor in its own right. I have in the past month gone back to a machine, and it’s been crazy how much sewing I can do!

The challenging part for me currently is cutting out the fabric. I’m drafting my own nursing dress patterns (as an amateur seamstress, so there’s lots of research, thinking & math involved), and I’ve learned after two cutting mess ups on two different dresses that I have to cut out in peace and quiet. That leaves either when my husband is home (and dinner is on the table— which doubles as my cutting/sewing table), or after the kids go to bed (I have four, one who is a baby). Somehow, I’ve managed to get four dresses sewn in the last three weeks (two for my daughters, and two for me)….

I think it’s just taking the opportunity when it presents itself & doing what you can in that opportunity— as opposed to an ‘all or nothing’ mentality. The other day, I had ten minutes before dinner was done, so I pulled the table cloth back & quickly helped my daughter cut out just the bodice for her next dress. Not the whole dress, just the bodice. But we’ll find another day soon to get the next step done. Then the next…. Little by little, over time…. 😊

[barbaraness]

Anytime I’m hand sewing something I think of how it must’ve been to sew entire garments that way before there were sewing machines. I actually got a good taste of that the first year being married. I wanted to surprise my husband with a plush robe for Christmas. I didn’t have a sewing machine, but I figured if other women could hand sew everything back in the day, then I could to. The robe turned out beautifully, and lasted many years! My husband was so impressed with my determination to see that he took me to buy a sewing machine. I bought a nice, but not expensive Kenmore machine that lasted me many years. I actually passed the machine down to my “adopted “ (unofficial) daughter last year.

[fernlintner]

Lol I have 6 girls… we wear dresses not Amish and I have sewed all of our clothes for 41 years. I applaud you! The struggle is real but it is doable. Oh and one of my daughters is 100% disabled quad. It’s doable be encouraged.

[averykempf]

Whoever did the filming while you were working on the blouses in the studio is someone who makes you happy. Your demeanor was so jovial.

[elisabethprice]

I love hand sewing! I rarely use my machine because hand sewing is so much more relaxing and no machine acting up! I just love to hand sew everything I make!

[barbaraness]

5:38 Wise choice! I did cut out multiple pieces that never got completed. Part of that was because I wouldn’t get them done before I, or the child had changed sizes. I still have a blouse cut out from 41 years ago! Luckily that style has come back in fashion, so if I finish it this year it won’t be a loss. 😁

[bernadettecardona]

Love seeing all your children!
I have three boys and two girls. The oldest boy is 13 and the baby girl is 5 I love sewing and gardening!

[ChristianAustinite]

I used to babysitting for my friend, she's a nurse, but because of so many hours of work I decided not to charge her, she was so happy. I used to live in Austin, she moved to Garland TX. I miss her and the kids. I would do it ALL over again.

[AuntNutmeg]

For gathering, I've rediscovered a fabulous trick: zigzag over #10 crochet thread. It makes gathering VERY much easier, and there's no risk of thread breaking! Mom of five now-grown children, with my sixth grandbaby on the way. 😊 Keep going Mama, you're doing just fine!

[Leah_Tewari]

You have the sweetest demeanor and I just adore seeing your family! God bless you!! ❤

[turteltaube]

Love the choice of fabric, it's gorgeous. It is fantastic what you can achieve if you set your mind to it. My mom had 10 children and knitted each of us a pullover for Christmas. And each pullover had our name crafted on the front. Hilarious!

[crafty_capricorn]

This video made me cry. Thank you for sharing the real parts of being a mom who is worthy of creating. I’ve been discouraged with my own hobbies as mine gets older and needs more supervision. But your positivity and determination really encouraged me. Your outfit looks amazing and I loved the vloggy yet cinematic style of this video! ❤

[jessicaneal]

One of the reasons I picked up crochet when I had my 1st was because it was portable, if stitches got pulled out it was easy to pick back up again (not like knitting and picking up all those stitches!)
Well done on getting your sewing done 😊

[shelleychristensen]

My mom loved sewing and made a lot of clothes growing up I'm the 8th out of 9. She worked in early mornings and evenings. And she gave a lot to us kids

[jnnschnll]

Thank you so much for sharing your daily life with your family with us. My family is so small, I have no siblings, no husband, no kids, and my father sadly passed away. Having a big family like yours would be my dream!

[lovingthecrazy]

I am enjoying this video SO much! I am currently 3 days post-partum with my 7th baby. Sewing/creating is when I feel the most like myself and so this is very inspiring!

[heatherbowser]

I just found your channel. I am a homeschool mama to 13. I still have 7 at home. I sew for myself and my children and grandchildren. I have enjoyed following along with your daily life and how you add sewing into your day. My sewing area is a tiny spot in my laundry room, the benefit to that is that I am right near my children while I work on my sewing. I do little bits here and there. It all eventually adds up to a finished garment.

[lorrainedempsey]

Much respect to you, for your patience, organizational skills, determination to accomplish, and your loving attitude toward your family. God bless you and your family. 😘😘😘

[cjshively]

Thank you for showing the realness of life! As a mom, it’s easy for me to get discouraged and feel alone in my struggles. I love watching you create your clothing. It’s beautiful!