It then evolved into pursuing a design degree at Texas Woman’s university, and I THRIVED in this environment. I was able to learn patterning, draping, couture techniques like beading and tambour. I was able to play with felting, textile dyeing, and even was able to do research on 3D printing for mass production. I graduated and immediately went into the industry as a technical designer. A technical designer is someone who manages the fit, patterns, and communicates with the manufacturers overseas to ensure samples and products are sent on time to the design team for fittings. I loved this, but always felt like I was missing something. 

When the pandemic happened, the entire industry was flipped upside down. At the time, I was already toying with the idea of going full-time with my first blog, The D. Diaries. Through the loving support of my husband, I was able to put in my notice a week before we were going back into the office and I became a full-time blogger! I posted with The D. Diaries for 2 years post covid, and then in 2022, I launched Just Lillia, and thus my sewing on the internet was born! 

Nowadays, you can find me teaching sewing workshops and classes here in my hometown of Denton, TX with my sewing school, The Denton Sewing School, and at TWU as an adjunct while I am in grad school. I love to experiment with natural dyes, both one’s I’ve grown in my dye garden and ones I source. My garden also boasts a variety of veggies and food that we eat in our house! I’m learning how to tambour bead and use a knitting machine now, which are both skills I am so excited to share with y’all here!