Debora Coelho

VOGUE  V9266                                                                                                                             Hello sewing fans!    Here is another dress using the same pattern by Vogue V9266. https:// voguepatterns.mccall.com / v9266 This time around, I made raglan sleeves and added a turtle neck collar. The material is a weave mix of silk and wool. You can tell it holds well and has a beautiful shine and texture. I’m...

V9266 Misses' Lined Raglan-Sleeve Jacket and Funnel-Neck Dress Hello sewing fans! I'm excited about wearing this beautiful matching jacket and dress set by Vogue. It's a true winner. I worked hard on the actual fit of the pattern. That was actually the hardest part. The fabric is a two sided color wool. I love the blue and green combination. I didn't have to line the jacket. You may notice that I also added several inches to the jacket, making it more to the natural waistline. I didn't think the crop Pattern length would work well for me. In addition,  I also added length to the dress. I used this pattern several times over. I hope to blog more about it as I use the outfits. Meanwhile, I hope your exploring new ideas and creating new thing only you can create...and as always, thank you for sharing in an endless sewing journey. Debora   

 Happy New Year!  This is a great way to start out the new year. I'm wearing a gown I restored from the 80's. It's a piece of art. It looks simply untouched. However, I can assure you I spent a great deal of time on it. I reshaped and relined it. In addition, I made it fit my shape. I like how it came out. I even made a matching purse. It was truly a joy to see it all come together. As most of you know, I can't stand to see something so beautiful tossed away. I found it several years ago in a  thrift store. I'm glad I finally had a chance to restore it. I believe in restoration. What a great way to ring in a new year! I hope you enjoy this creation as much as I enjoyed putting it all together.  Meanwhile, I hope your exploring new ideas and creating new things only you can create...and as always, thank you for sharing in an endless sewing journey.  Debora  

Simplicity 8247 – 1930s Vintage collection pattern. I made several versions of this perfect fitting afternoon dress. Hello sewing fans. Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful time of the year. As I had mentioned in earlier posts, this holiday season I am sewing a few items. I’m very excited over Simplicity 8247 – 1930s Vintage collection pattern. I made several versions of this perfect fitting afternoon dress. Or at least that's what they called it back then. This particular one is made from a beautiful chiffon feel fabric with built in textured velvet polka dots. It’s self-lined and easily slips on for perfect comfort. In addition, I made a simple  scarf from the left-over material. I have this tendency of making matching scarfs and wraps with just about anything I make. It’s always a great accessory and a good use of any leftover material. It always gives it that custom made look that says homemade with love. It’s the look you can’t buy anywher...

This was an interesting project. This sequin top came from a vintage 1980’s dress found in a thrift store. I just love the blue color. Really rich. I stored it in my fabric closet for a few years. Finally, last year as I was going through my fabric stash I came across it again. This time, to my surprise, on the same pile was a beautiful floral fabric. The color combination was perfect. I brought them to the sewing studio. I knew eventually I was going to bring it back to life in another form. This holiday season, I did just that. I tore off the old lining. I then played around with the floral fabric to see what worked as far as adding sleeves. Finally, I pleated the rest of the fabric and made the skirt and of course, added pockets. Finally, I lined the entire dress. The cl utch bag, i n case your wondering, I had previously made from the bottom of the original sequin dress. I wore it last night for the first time. It felt mine forever. I’m not afraid to admit, I love restoration p...

Hello, sewing fans from near and far. It’s always such a great time of the year to inspire our creativity. This holiday season I’m having a bit of free time to sew. I made a few items I would love to share with you. I’m going to start with my winner pattern of the season, Simplicity 8247 – 1930s Vintage collection. This is one of a few from the same pattern. It’s an easy pattern for an experienced seamstress. However, I must say that the front pleating can get a bit frustrating. You must pay close attention to the right and left of the skirt, as this pattern is asymmetrical.   Also, if you apply self-lining… remember to reverse it. You ‘ll figure it out. Meanwhile, I hope your exploring new ideas and creating new things only you can create… and as always, thank you for sharing in an endless sewing journey. Debora

Fascinator Hello everyone! I’ve been experimenting with fascinators lately. I’m having a lot fun looking through pinterest for ideas. This is the first one I put together. It’s a lot of fun to create and even more exciting to wear. I’m not sure what triggered my interest, all I know is, I’m willing to try to create things that bring me joy.   Hope you like it as much as I do. Meanwhile, I hope your exploring new ideas and creating things only you can create… and as always, thank you for sharing in our sewing journey. Debora

"For the Love of Mother Dress Collection" Dear readers. I started this sewing blog four years ago, as a way of sharing my joy of sewing as I took care of my elderly mother. My beautiful mother is now in her resting place. I’m so glad I was granted the opportunity to spend so much time with her. It was the greatest experience of my life. She leaves me with so many wonderful memories. In my thoughts and dreams she remains alive. The best of her continues to grow in me. The greatest inheritance she leaves me with is faith, love, joy, patience, kindness, and an endless talent of sewing and creating just about anything. Thank you for sharing in our sewing journey. Debora

Simplicity pattern 1011 Well, hello everyone! It’s a beautiful time of the year here in New England. It’s nice to cozy up and sew. I’ve finally got around to completing this fall dress. I used Simplicity pattern 1011. The fabric is a gift from my sister Dorinda from her last trip to the Azores, Portugal. It's vivid flowers with a feel of the island itself. The skirt is my own design with panels on the sides and of course pockets. I've come to enjoy pockets in all my garments. The dress is fully lined and the top is layered to create support. I've spoiled myself with this look. It's hard to go back to wearing store bought flimsy dresses without any built in foundation. Well, that's all for now. I’m hoping to make a few more pieces this season. It’s exciting just thinking about it.   It’s such a great feeling to create. Hope to post again soon. Meanwhile, I hope your exploring new ideas and creating things only you...

Hello everyone! Here’s another 1920’s piece that I wore for the first time today. I’m still obsessing with the 20’s. Actually, the more I make of these dresses the more I want them. They are very comfortable, slimming, easy and carefree. I feel great in them. I also think they go well with my persona. The kimono style top, I actually made over a year ago. It hung in my closet like a lost soul. I think we all have lost souls in our closet. I thought at the time I made it that it would hold as a single piece. It didn’t. I just couldn’t seem to wear it with anything else. Finally this year, I committed myself to finalize some of these pieces into outfits. I have a  few left I hope to do the same for. The Kimono was made from a pattern. I don’t remember the make. As for the rest of the outfit, it’s all my own cut and design. The dress underneath looks like a two piece, but it’s not. It’s all sewn together and the skirt is pleated, and with side pockets of course. The pleat...

Honeycomb Smocking Dress Hello everyone! I’ve been working on this dress for some time now. I never thought I could take so long in making a dress, but I have. First, I pleated the material and then I cut the dress. I kind of made it up as I went along. The dress was too big at the waist, so I decided to smock it. It’s a long process. It was the first time I’ve ever did anything like it. I had no idea where I was going with it. But that’s what makes it exciting. Overall, I’m pleased with it. I’m just tired of looking at it. I still have two more rows of smocking at the waist and I want to make a matching purse. And when I’ve completed this dress, I will be putting it away and hopefully only look at it next winter. I don’t have anything lined up right now for a new project. Which is a good thing. I want my sewing adventures to be fun and un-expecting. Sometimes, it’s good to just take some time to reorganize yourself. I might just do that for a short while. Meanwhile, I...

Jacket - Simplicity  #2149 Hello everyone! It’s been a quick month. We are enjoying early signs of spring. My most recent project is this light wool jacket fully lined with a zipper. This is a great pattern and fairly easy to follow. It does not come with a lining, but you can easily use the same pattern pieces and it should work. The sleeves ran a bit short, at least for me. Which is OK, seeing it’s a light  weight jacket and not meant for extreme cold temperatures. The pockets too were a bit small. And the collar could have been higher up and closer to the neck front. Overall, I think it has great lines and wears really comfortably. This is a pattern I hope to revisit soon. Meanwhile, I’m working on a dress that is nothing like I’ve ever made before. It’s all pleated and more pleated. It’s driving me crazy and it’s been taking up a lot of my time. I’ve become obsesses in making it work. I believe that by the end of this week I should have it ...