Hi Everyone! I’m pretty much all packed and I’m moving most of my stuff to San Jose this weekend. I finished two outfits but I probably won’t have time to do a shoot before I leave Fresno. I wanted to do a quick picture tutorial of how to sew sev plooj before I move. This is highly requested and I know people are going to request a video as well, but honestly recording is too much of a hassle for me to do myself and I don’t enjoy editing videos at all. So if you are waiting for a video it won’t happen because I tried and failed. I usually don’t finish that project and loose the drive to. Once grad school starts there will be less tutorials as I will be busy with school, work, and eventually committing to working out again. Last year, I made numerous outfits and that was one of my biggest excuses for not working out.
:: Sev ::
There a different types of sev or aprons. The type that I am showing today is sev plooj. Typically, White Hmong in Luang Prabang, Sayaboury, and Luang Namtha wear this type of apron. Traditionally the middle or plawv sev is a different color than the outside. Sometimes embroidery or paj ntaub is used in the middle was well. I try to make each section about the same size, but I usually prefer for the middle to much skinnier especially if I’m making a full length sev. If I know I’m just planning on wearing it with a skirt I tend to make my sev quite short anywhere from 18-22 inches long.
:: Instructions ::
1. For the lining pick a stiff fabric that creases well but don’t feel limited to doing so. I crease the edges of the lining before I sew the outside fabric onto it. I fold and sew by hand, but you can turn good side to good side and sew and flip if you choose not to sew by hand. I personally never tried it but in in theory it should work. I try to have it be 9-10 inches wide and 20+ inches long. The length is up to your preference. Traditional sev are about 1 yard long. 
2. Cut out the fabric that you will use for the outside. It should be about 4.25 inches wide and about 2 yards long depending on length (traditional you’ll need at least 2.25 yards). 
3. Fold one edge as you sew it onto the lining. You can iron it all the way down too. 
4. I usually leave excess to fold in at the top later. I start on the left side of the lining and work my way around using small stitches. For the top and middle section, cut a piece of fabric off the end. Center and sew 
5. Now fold the bottom corners of the sev. I try to make a 45 degree angle.
6. Cut excess fabric from under the corner. This gets rid of the bulk.
7. Fold the sev in half and iron a crease down the middle
8. Center the middle of the sev and pin. Use large stitches to hold it in place
9. Fold the inner edge of the bottom portion of the sev in and baste stitch
10 . Fold the inner edges o the outer side of the sev and baste stitch
11. Fold in the top pieces and hand sew
12. Use the sewing machine to sew the middle section. I usually start from the corner. Make sure you sew in the same direction
13. Take out the baste stitches and attach fabric to tie it around the waist.
Hopefully the pictures of the two different sev aren’t too confusing. I wanted to show with a plain middle and one with the paj ntaub. This is how I was taught to sew it and isn’t the only way. Apparently it’s prettier the flatter and thinner it is. I usually just iron it at the end and then fold it up for storage. If you are beginner use fabric with little stretch and that creases well. I prefer cotton.
I opted to wear my blue hat with my 
I woke up on the 6th day with puffy eyes probably because I’ve been outside consistently without taking my allergy medicine. My cousins and I had agreed on wearing Thai outfits on this day months ago and we picked on of the coldest days. My outfit barely fit me as I gained a bit of weight since I bought mine 2-3 years ago.
