a living room makeover + a new nomad friend (?) 

This has to be one of the most fun episodes to watch. The two of u together is such fun and entertaining. I sure hope Elisa and u get to make more videos together.

I just rebuilt a 26 foot long camper for my daughter to live in. Leaks are the biggest thing to be concerned of. I agree the scamp or airstream would be the best choice but will be higher cost. I spent 2000 on the one for my daughter and about 1500 on the rehab so far. It took about 8 weeks and I had to replace a lot of the subfloor and frame. But she is living in it on the Olympic peninsula down to 16 degrees and it stayed around 70 with 2 small electric heaters

Wow she really did have a legit shop!! I think everyone would love to have her make our cushions

Alyssa was the just the help you needed to concur your past sewing fiascos and succeed at making your new couch cushions.👏👏👏 As for the camper…any used camper will need work. Deal breakers will be ones with a lot of water damage. Most used, affordable, ones may have some. Be sure to check inside cabinets where water damage could hide. Also, your truck may only be able to tow 3500 lbs. (like my Tacoma). Find out for sure. Then be sure the camper you choose, fully loaded and with tanks full is less than your trucks max tow weight. Good luck on your search!

Alyssa is very skilled, always a joy to watch a professional do a nice job like this.

1 - AWESOME EPISODE 2 - Alyssa's bag/backpack design is AWESOME 3 - Golden Retriever = AWESOME 4 - Since Alyssa wants a camper that's so small...might as well find a van that she can stand in and kill 6 birds with 1 stone.

Red flags to look for - 🚩 soft spots on floor 🚩 wavy exterior paneling 🚩 bad axles/tires My bus will hopefully be ready to hit the road soon! #nomadfriend Your couch turned out great! 💫 Your

I know the sewing machine fear all too well. I think deep down, you know you can do whatever you need to do. I'm always impressed watching you overcome a fear, or mastering a new thing that would normally send most of us into a panic attack. Nicely done Emma :)

My best advice for buying a camper/trailer is to keep the tow vehicle's capacity in mind and remember it will be hauling the weight of the trailer plus clothes, food, water, camp chairs... all of the things that quickly add up. The teardrop trailers are great light option for outdoorsy camping if all she wants is bed. But hanging out in them all day is a little restrictive. And as others have said the Scamps are great but since they are popular prices reflect it.

Great job Emma and Alyssa

Emma, the cushions look a-mazing. Not too shaby a job for a newbie, your next project will be easier, if you should decide to try your hand at something else. Tell Alyssa that she is a wonderful instructor and that her messanger/backpack prototype should go into production. Have a great weekend.

Even in my regular house, a small change feels like my entire house has had a facelift. So I understand your excitement for the new cushions. I’ve also fought with my sewing machine, I still think it betrays me every now and then, but we’ve managed some things I’m proud of, even though sewing isn’t my main hobby.

Emma, Tell Alyssa that she will find her camper and it will be the perfect one for her. This will happen very soon and she will love it when she sees it. She will have it the way she wants it in no time at all. I personally would have taken the one showed in this video because I know how to do the work it needed. Tell her not to give up, her camper is out there. We are supporting her.

Tell Alyssa to look for Scamps, they are great! Well built, full fiberglass.

For trailer campers: look at Intech! I tow the Flyer Pursue with a 4runner and it tows really well. It's all aluminum construction which I appreciate a lot

I hope Alyssa is able to find a camper that she can hit the road with real soon so you both can enjoy exploring!

Nothing more satisfying then doing it yourself..................4 or 5 times.

I'd love to have a friendship like you and Alyssa!

Looks like a million bucks! camper red flags: THAT ONE!!!!!! 🚌

I didn't know it was a sewing video, but the first thing I noticed when it started was the unfinished curtain on the front of the bus (for the first time), and then the unfinished curtains in the windows (for the twelfth? time). I did the same things (like I comment a lot on your videos). My first window curtains I used hot glue to make the part that goes around my curtain rod because I hate trying to sew and never learned. Then I tried, and half finished the rest of my window curtains, then double sided my front curtain, both for privacy and warmth. I got more comfortable and sewed my couch cushions, and finally fixed my window curtains. (since then my dog ruined my couch cushion, but I want to build a new couch anyway). Now I kind of wish I had my own sewing machine to maybe try to sew my own shirts. Someday, maybe lol. I think when I build the new couch, I will use pillows like you did instead of a back cushion. That looks really nice.

Make sure floor is level. Check all water lines and propane limes. Check tires and suspension..

When are you just going to realize or accept that you are a brilliantly smart individual AND YES YOU CAN !!! Awesome job 👏

Love the cushions n covers. Have to have some made for boat combination couch/bed. Idea of zipper on back is great. Enjoy. Lots of campers out there. Removing toilet and replace with compost way to go. RU-vid for self build!! Thanks, Emma

Alyssa should buy either a Scamp or a Casita. Both are rock solid, and easily towable behind her Four Runner.

The bus is starting to look really fantastic you are doing a excellent job

Emma she needs to look at the plumbing and drain out leet they are in good order she can also push on the inside panels to feel if there is soft spots . Also look at the tanks underneath it.

I used to buy old campers and fix them up and sell them. Look for soft spots on the floor and water damage on the floors and ceilings. Climb up on top and look the roof over well. Try out all the appliances and dont forget the air and heater. Look at the axles and check the tires. Mostly common sense stuff. I am in the process of fixing up a short schoolie and hope to be on the road sometime this year. Also your cushions came out awesome

They look fantastic. It is great for you to have a wonderful friend like Alyssa. One major red flag to look for on any used camper of any kind is water damage stains from cracks in seams or the roof. Happy New Year.

So cool that you got to work with a pro, learn stuff and get awesome cushions!

Encourage. I have redone some campers. Top 3 no nos, 1 Title, 2 Massive frame damage 3 Mold and Rot, (but can honestly be removed and replaced on plus money). Idea. FourRunner light camper travels with you and your bus is main shelter. BTW, you sew way better than me. My lines are garbo.

My brother in law was an upholstery shop owner and it always amazed me to watch him assemble projects he always made it look so easy

To make the pillows more firmer add summer clothes to fluff them up vice versa in summer use winter clothes.

Awesome shop Alyssa

I hope Alyssa finds a good camper. The couch cushions look fantastic the color is perfect. Great job ladies.

I can relate, the last time I touched A sewing machine was in high school.I hated it and it hated me.I hope Alyssa does find a camper.

Hey Emma, great job so far on Birbie so far. If you need advice we can try and help you out! For suggestions on campers, make sure to keep an eye out for roof leaks in the ceilings, rotting walls/mold anywhere, and bent/damaged frame. We've also have a fair amount of knowledge in wood and stone work, as well as epoxy finishes. We have helped other youtubers film and finish their projects as well. Good Luck and happy travels.

Emma if she going to pull with her current car, find out what it much weight can tow (pull) , how much tongue weight the bumper or hitch can handle. This helps to find size she can tow safely. Now looking at used trailers? Look everywhere for signs of damage. Does floor sag when stepped on. What things work; stove, furnace, water heater, fridge, plumbing? Cost to repair or replace. Stick head in cupboards closets smell for mold, look for water stains. How much is she willing to change? Remove dinette? Basic Floorplans on towable small trailers has not changed. Online she can study some before randomly searching. Is best if she can find rv tech that could inspect trailer before buying. One that she can explain what her needs are. You now have experience at tearing down and building from scratch. So you can advise on what projects are easier, cost efficient. Good luck

Alyssa need to find a camper with mild fix me ups,such as re-painting,wall papering,new vinyl flooring. Nothing under the year of 2000. Major problems of campers going back past 2000,water leaks (Faulty wiring) ,rot etc. I would recommend she look for a Jayco Jay Feather 165 (16 foot) or 185 (18 foot) years 2000 and up,2004. Buying from someone,Alyssa needs to ask if the camper has had any water leaks , any mold problems,weather damage in the past , (busted pipes).

Hi Emma, you guys did an awesome job on those cushions! Looks very comfy.. I noticed at about the 21:25 mark on the video when you open the door and step out and down that those long bolt ends could be a possible shin and or knee scraper.. you probably already have plans to cut them off but, thought I would mention it. Look forward to your next video!

Check All corners floor to ceiling in cupboards etc for any possible water leaks, push paneled walls to find soft spots (water dmg) soft spots in the flooring due to water damage usually from roof leaks and broken water heaters. Basically anything water related ass campers are built cheaply/disposable. Electrical/ converter and check all electrical outlets inside n out. Check black n grey tanks for leaks, tires n brakes if any. Check lp for leaks.. furnace, stove, water heater. Make sure furnace is cleaned as I almost lost my entire family in an older camper that coated everything in light layer of black soot including us could of died from carbon monoxide poisoning thank God we had a broken glass window pain that aloud fresh air to enter.. very scary.

Emma, look like you found a road buddy to view the country and she has great skills too. I'll keep an eye out for a camper also for you. Best wishes!!!!!

Your abode on wheels looks very comfy and homie. I think the popular thing is to have a love puppy and name your bus.☺ I like it. New sub. BTW, Alyssa should market her designer purse/backpack, it's amazing and what a great friend. fr Wild Rose Country🌺

have your friend check out a trailer named Scamp... they are small and easy to tow, full fiberglass bodies the rarely leak... things to look for is water leaks under windows, soft wood under vents and windows... smells like mold or rotten things...

hi emma.oh lord, this brings back so many memories from home economics class . the covers look pretty sweet. .

Great work on your couches your friend is just as funny as you are and yes that travel trailer was a big red flag. Great Video Emma 👍

Emma, Alyssa should research Scamp campers. They are what is called a molded shell camper.. much lighter weight very nice units

Emma!!! This is in the top 2 of., "How I did it" RU-vid videos, that I've seen! VERY VERY well done. I was riveted and at 80 y.o., that seldom occurs.

You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Thank Alyssa for bringing you back to life.

Alyssa, I hope you find a camper. I have a pop up 19 foot folded up 24 ft open. I have had it for 3 years now. If you want something easy to haul these are great . You can already see if if need curtains or canvas worked on. Any questions feel free to ask.

Your home is really shaping up nice.. Alyssa made things look so easy good thing you hand help...

Great video Emma

The FIRST thing Alyssa needs to do is learn how to reverse a trailer! BEFORE she buys one! Check the chassis (frame. We've spoken about that before) for excessive rust, no damage to the corners or sides because they can leak, check the roof for leaks, also. Depending on the age of the van, check the gas certificate. The rest you can deal with in a renovation (including the propane lines, if need be).

Always check the roof, especially inside cabinets and closets for water leaks, and check for soft spots in the floor..

You and your team of experts are doing such a great job on your bus. It has been fun to watch the progress this past couple years.

hope Alyssa gets a camper and join you with the traveling

Please know that you once again brightened up my late Friday evening. I so admire your will to do the things you dread the most. Like sewing. Amazing what you pulled off! With help of Alyssa that is for sure. A profi is always nice at your side. Also if she finds a camper and would camp with you. You two make an awesome couple as the fellowship of the soft seated benches. Have a great week ahead and till the next episode. 👋🇳🇱

I think you both are adorably cute working together! I hope that Alyssa finds a camper soon so you two can explore together.

I’m drooling over that sewing workshop ! I love the color you picked out. So glad you have a friend like Alyssa to help, she’s a real pro!

Love the cushions and pillows

Your friend is so sweet

So cool💕 Have you watched.. Ame in a Van? She's awesome too. She built/converted her van..Gloria.. Girl power🌺

Wow I like your couches the colors are cool and all your pillows

Love the color! It’s my classroom color! Love the outside of your bus too!!

Great job on the cushions Emma. Many years ago, I decided to make cushion covers with piping for a couch, 2 armchairs and a footstool, I will NEVER do them again 😱😱. Alyssa - go for it, Emma will teach you all the tricks she's learned.

You have a great friend, Alyssa has it together with her work ethic. I'm sure that will work out with getting a trailer! That will be where you get to help her out with your knowledge and tools! Y'all seem the best of friends and it will be fantabulous to be travel bestie's!!! Alyssa, if you see this, I have the confidence that you can do it! Don't be afraid to ask for help along the way! Start a vlog so others can follow you on your journey, just like Emma! Oh, love the furry little buddy 🐕 you have! Great job by you both. 🚍 🚐 😁👍

brilliantly done. It's great to see you will take on any challenge. love your work and enthusiasm.

I too have a love, hate relationship with my sewing machine. You both did a amazing job. I hope that she finds a trailer so you guys can travel together. And the dog is sooo cute 😍. You are doing a great job at overcoming your fears. I have been following your progress on your bus from the beginning and I am so very proud of you. Hope 2023 brings you happiness and new adventures. Safe travels

Looks comfy 🛋🚎🚎🚎

Excellent work on the cushions. They look great. Alyssa is a champ. Her shop, with those Juki sewing machines, is totally professional. Step by step, you’re making the bus a beautiful, comfortable home. Go For It

The cushions look so good. I love seeing the decorating process and the small final touches that really add to spaces! I want to learn to sew. My mom has been sewing for a long time, she loves sewing her own clothes and has made me some stuff in the past. It's a tough & time consuming craft. 💞♥ You could get a throw blanket to add some extra coziness :)

Love this video, everyone has there own talent, great friend you there.♥️♥️♥️

Double up on the pillows in each pillow cace for better comfort.

It's nice to watch your satifaction of completing the cushion project after overcoming your doubts of your abilities and working though the challenges, congrats Emma, looks nice and a bit more homey. That whole trailer looked like a big red flag! The first red flag to look for when checking out an RV is water staining and musty odors which can mean rotten wood, mold and major structural repairs.

Emma - great work on the cushions. One thought - when you have a moment - grab an angle grinder or cutoff wheel and crop the ends off the bolts at the base of the door. I can see them catching someone's ankle and it could hurt quite a lot... Just use the grinder to round off any bolt thread ends, and there'll be nothing sharp to cause injury. Your next challenge in needlework machines is an overlocker... Wonderful device - don't be scared to thread it, DO be wary of the tungsten carbide knife. It cuts cloth well and won't go blunt - but it needs to be kept away from fingers... Suspect Alyssa will have one - and they can save a bunch of time. Hope the current weather isn't too bad with you -- good luck for 2023

Hey Emma. Hope you are having a great day. Keep up the good work on your bus. Looking really good. Love you 💛

have you thought about buying formica laminate sheets from home depot (or somewhere) and just gluing that to plywood for a quick easy, really nice looking counter top?

That whole camper was a red flag. Watch out for soft spots in the floors, water stains on the walls and ceilings, water spots under sinks. Look under the camper for frame and floor damage, and also make sure the axles are tight and all the bolts are there. Great job on the seat cushions and it looked like the two of you had a blast making them. So great working with friends. Best of luck finding you camper and looking forward to seeing the two of you nomads doing what nomads do best.

oh alsooo... Mention your merch and memberships more often! I didn't even realize you had merch until I got to "Final Countdown to living in a bus" or you did and it totally flew over my head. (Watching on a AppleTV so the description is rarely seen)

Casitas and similar fiberglass trailers are light and durable and never leak. THey're on the small side. Down side? you're stuck with the floorplan it comes with because it's largely molded into the fiberglass.

Excellent video, great job,I'm glad you have a good friend to share and help!!!!!! That makes all the difference!!!!!!

Great job! Soak it in!

Have her think about a cargo trailer conversion… she can design it and pick the best size trailer for her vehicle

I'm totally in fear of sewing machines!!!!! Like will that needle go through my finger 😳 I love that tiffany blue, it's so pretty!

Hi Emma, Great work with the bus and just doing the things you want to do... the ay you want to do them. For our family, I have bought 3 used travel trailers over the last 5 years. We still have 2 of them. Id say the biggest things to worry about when trying to buy a used RV for me are: 1- Know your towing capacity of your tow vehicle and stay well within its capacity. 2-High wall and roof leaks are the worst. I would stay away from anything that has been leaking from the roof(unless an obvious leak in a seam) as leaks are the hardest to track if they are higher or in the ceiling. Plus roof replacement is very expensive. 3-Frame and Axle. Make sure they are straight and not rotted through. 4-Layout. Make sure the layout is the correct one for your comfort zone 5-Major components. Make sure they work. With our small trailer, I wasn't as worried about the components. If the fridge was bad, you could replace with a fridge like yours. Furnace can be replaced by a a diesel heater and pumped through the current ducting. Water heater can be replaced by a tankless system like yours. This is why I don't prioritize the major components over the seal, and structural of the RV. Anyways, my two cents worth.

The advice/encouragement I would offer her on this journey is actually something I’ve learned from you and continues to motivate and inspire my build. That it’s okay to fail!!! I never wanted to get started on mine (on top of recording it) because I have no idea what I’m doing and things may not end up perfect. I’ve definitely learned from your journey that “good enough” is definitely a worthwhile goal when balanced with functionally and budget. And messing something up is also fine. Cover it up with trim, sand it down and repaint or start over with a fresh mind the next day. 😊

Looks great 👍

We’ll done. Upholstery is a real PITA. Keep up the good work. Your new video and coffee is my Saturday morning routine.

I worked in a upholstery shop for many years. Never took on sewing projects. But i can suggest that you should wrap the raw foam in dacron. It will extend the life of the foam for over 5 years and fill out the cushions more, along the boarders and the field of the cushions.

so lively and peaceful 🌟

If and when I build my bus I definitely need to find someone like your friend has that shop or go to her shop

Yes, I can relate about sewing. That is a talent I don't have. Your friend is awesome. You are doing great too.

I like the diff colors,,, that looks so good

We had an old camper, that was in very bad shape like that. Some guy came by one day, and offered to buy it. we're like sure, because it was just sitting behind the garage looking like shit. Cut to the end of the story, After a few months, he got ahold of us again, he'd completely disassembled the camper, and reassembled it, and it looked absolutely beautiful. These old wrecks can be brought back. 🙂

Nice to see you smiling again, Moving along on the projects.

Emmy, you're doing great. Every time there is a new proces or machine to use, fear not, just keep trying to understand it and you'll master the skills. You have to start somewhere since there is a beginning to everything. 😉 Keep on going, slowly but steady and before you realize the task will be accomplished. The first everything is a little crooked, experience will take over over time, so trust in yourself, even if you have to redo or repeat the proces, when the result is...well...unforeseen.. 😇 Cheers!

Looking good!!

Love it !!! Great job❤

Great job!

I have not watched all of your video s and I love how you tackle all of your project s head on. The bus is old and expensive to fix, especially out on the road. Do you have a plan for the bus as far as engine, transmission, or a lot of other things.? And the covers are badass! Keep it up...

A pre-owned Livin Lite CampLite is prob the best small trailer money can buy. All aluminum, very lightweight, and will last for decades. And hold its resale value. Amazing product. A circa 2014(ish) 13QBB, or something similarly sized, would be absolutely perfect for her 4Runner. And super easy to tow. Great job on the cushions!