Debora Coelho

The Green Clover Dress - Simplicity pattern #1354. Just a quick update of my sewing week. This morning I started on a new dress, which I’m calling “The Green Clover Dress.” I made a few adjustments on the pattern. I went with a smaller size and dropped the waist line down by 1 ½ inches. I also doubled the lining. The fabric is very thin and sheer, so I felt it could use an extra layer for support. Once again, I applied boning on just about ever seam. The dress is looking really good. The only thing is, when I actually did my first fitting, to my surprise it was still too big on the top and side seams. I have some adjustments to make. I hope to continue with this project on Monday morning. Meanwhile, yesterday I made a trip to Joann’s Fabric store and found Vogue patterns on sale. I purchased four more patterns. I’m addicted to patterns. Right now I’m fixated on making simple summer dresses. I’m taking a break from vintage dresses. And finally, my husband has promised to take me ou...

Voilà! The Quilt Dress. I broke my own record this week and made two dresses. I love the way this dress came out. There are several changes I made to the Simplicity pattern #1354. The back band has no seam. I was able to omit the seam by lowering the front “V” neck. I also used a smaller bodice size and still had to adjust it. The armholes are more open due to the added bias. I did not want to sufficate the dress, so I really opened it up. The inside lining required some hand sewing on the back band, the waist as well as the zipper. No big deal. I love the contrast of colors. This is one of my special pieces. I feel like I made this one my own. I can’t believe how much pleasure and excitement sewing is giving me. As you may know from my mission statement, I’m my mothers caregiver. I’m spending more time at home now a days. I know it won’t last forever. My mother loves to watch me cut up dresses and see them come together. She’s 80 years old now. She was a professional seamstress all ...

The Quilt Dress Hello again. I’ve been assembling my new project which I’m naming “The Quilt Dress.” Reason being that it’s actually from quilt material and the print is so cozy and comfortable. It gives you the feeling that you can cover and shelter people with it. Anyways, I was inspired to try something different. I love fabrics. Every time I see fabrics I have visions of …more fabrics. Fabrics needs fabrics. When I saw this fabric I knew I wanted a colorful contrast and lining. I went for the granny smith green. At least that’s what the lady from the fabric store called it. I just loved it. It cost more than the quilt fabric itself. Oh, but what a match. I actually went to bed thinking about how to incorporate both fabrics into the same dress pattern. This is what I came up with. Don’t laugh, I’m still practicing sketching my croquis. I still can’t seem to sketch feet, so I just staple fabric to hide it. You get the idea. Here are some pictures of how it’s coming along. I ho...

Paisley harmony Dress - Simplicity pattern #1354. Good morning everyone. I’m “sew” progressive this week. I finished the Paisley Harmony Dress from Simplicity pattern #1354. I made it a bit on the lose side. This is going to be an everyday dress. It’s very comfortable and pleasing to the eyes. It gave me a lot of pleasure make it. I’m getting more confident with the pattern and hope to take it to a different level on the next dress. I have an idea of what I want to do and probably will get busy with it tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted. I promise! And as always thanks for sharing in my joyous sewing adventures.

Quick update on the paisley blue dress from Simplicity pattern #1354. I got a head start on the paisley dress this week. Actually, it was all cut up and ready to go since Friday. This pattern is fairly simple and with the practice and experience from the previous week it is just coming together really quick. This time, I used a bias finish on the armholes instead of sewing it to the inside of the lining. It’s not a faster or simpler process, I just like the weight of it. Here is few pictures showing the details. 　

All my life I’ve been attracted to paisley prints. As I’m getting older I find myself becoming more obsessed with paisley anything, I.e. shawls, dresses, fabrics, upholstery, quilts, etc. I have a few beautiful paisley print shawls, dresses and even my bedroom wall paper is paisley. It‘s been there for over a decade now. Please don‘t tell me its time to change it. I just love it. It’s a very soothing blue. Which brings me to this weeks dress project. This week I’m making a paisley blue dress. It’s actually from the quilters cotton fabric collection. Seeing that I find myself buying paisley fabrics when I see it, I wanted to see why I have this love for paisley. So, I did a quick research on the origin of paisley design. It seamed to originate in Persia or India and eventually traveled to Europe. There are several meanings to the design itself. Which I’m not going to get into detail right now. All I know is, to me it symbolizes endless harmony that one never seams to get tired of lo...

#19 Dress - The Paris Dress - Simplicity pattern #1354.