Debora Coelho

Blizzard 2015 - We’re experiencing a serious snowstorm here in New Bedford with more to come for the end of the week. In some areas the snow is as high as six feet depending on the snow drifts. This photo is right in front of my house. It took two days to plow us out. I’m wearing the first fleece coat which I made several years ago. It’s one of my favorites and I seem to wear it on just about every heavy snow storm. It’s as warm as it looks and I like how it looks up against the snow. I’ve been working on another fleece coat. This time it’s for my husband. It’s just about finished. I’m waiting for the zipper order to come in. Snow days are great sewing days. Let’s see what else I’ll be sewing up in this blizzard. See you all soon, and for those of you who are experiencing this same blizzard, please stay safe, stay home and sew. It’s fun and sew cozy. Debora

Hello everyone! Here’s my latest project. A fleece coat from an old pattern by Donna Karen. I love the color combination of the magenta and dark orchid together. This is such a fun coat to wear. I've worn it several times already this week. I can tell this is going to be one of my favorite “wear it everywhere” coats. It’s so cozy and warm. Perfect for this time of year, especially for the bitter cold weather we are enduring here in MA. This was an easy pattern to follow. The trick is to use canvas material as a binder and stiffener for the front facing as well as sleeves and hem. It gives great structure to the fleece. I’m hoping to make a couple more coats this winter. I want to make use of all the fleece I still have left in my fabric collection. This is the winter of the coats. I can’t believe how many I actually made this winter. I’m just in a coat role. Lol. Well that’s it for now. I hope all of you have a great week and for those of you who are in cold climates, please sta...

Happy New Year everyone! It’s been exciting times here in New Bedford. I attended First Night at our world famous Whaling Museum. It was a really cold night and I was happy to wear a mink coat that I just restored. Some of you may already figured out that I just love to make old things new. I also like it when we can wear something that has a story. I've had this coat hanging in my closet for a couple of years now. I wasn't sure what to do with it. A few years ago, I saw the coat hanging on the sidewalk at one of our local thrift vendors on Acushnet Avenue. I spotted it as my husband was driving past it. I couldn't believe it. I quickly had him turn around the block and pull over. The mink was still in a half decent condition. The lining however, was old and falling apart. I bargained with the guy and paid only $20 bucks for it. Wow!!! Was I happy. I brought it home, tore off the lining and aired it out. This week I brought it out, home cleaned it the best I could and tota...

2017 - Audrey Hepburn Inspired Hat  Three years later, I finally had the chance and inspiration to make this hat from the left over material from this off-white faux fur coat. Oh what fun! Happy Holidays everyone! I can’t believe this week with everything going on, I finished making this coat. This coat comes with an interesting story. It was originally bought at a thrift shop about a year ago. The fabric was all beaten up. I bought it for the beautiful faux fur. I had the coat cleaned and took it all apart. I used the old coat as a pattern to make this new coat and used the original faux fur collar as is. The fabric is high end fleece that I purchased in bulk many years ago. I always wanted an off-white coat and never really got around to making it. This coat wasn't all that hard to make. What gave me some trouble was sewing down to fur to the coat. It required some tough hand sewing. Even so, I’m really excited how this project ...

Official City of New Bedford Christmas Tree Lighting Hello everyone! This week I made this coat from  fleece material from Joann’s Fabrics. I used vogue pattern V8164. It’s a fairly easy pattern to use. It’s a fun coat which I hope to make at least one more of. The lining of the coat is actually dress material. I wanted a fabric that would slide easy with the fleece’s outer layer. I thought the dress material was a good choice and I really like the print. The fur collar I've had for several years now. I collect fur from thrift. I don’t purchase any new fur, however I believe in restoration projects. I think old restored furs are worth the time and effort to re-use and bring new life to them. I  enjoy wearing the old glamour look. They are very warm and add incredible texture to coats. The hat is my original design. I love making hats and decorating them with whatever excites me. I like having fun with sewing. I’m not afraid of experimenting with different ideas.  I wor...

Hello everyone! This evening I attended the Festival of Lights Celebration at Clasky Common Park in New Bedford. Each year out city fills this beautiful park with Christmas displays and thousands of dazzling lights. This is our tradition. The kids just go crazy over it. Tonight was the official countdown for all the lights to turn on at once. It was actually very cold. But everyone was just as excited to be there. I just love it. Really fills you up with the holiday spirit. I made and designed the coat and hat I‘m wearing. It’s the first time I wear it in public. It’s warm, cozy and light. I worked the coat with a Vogue pattern of which I can’t remember right now. The hat is totally my original design. I made a few of them actually. I love warm hats, especially those that cover the ears. I’m all about covering the ears. Well It’s a great time of year to wear fun things. I hope your inspired to create some fun hats and coats of your own. Enjoy! Debora ...

Good evening everyone! The Holiday season has officially begun. There’s so much excitement going on in our city of New Bedford. The New Bedford Art Museum had their annual Under The Stars Holiday Party last night. It was just spectacular. local artist displayed their work for Christmas gifts. Our city is a great growing hub for so many artists. I meet the nicest people at these parties. In case your wondering what I wore…I wore a sequin dress probably from the 1980’s, art deco style dress. I bought it at flee market and completely restored it back to life. First of all, it was full of dust, stains and attic damage. The sequins were coming apart and needed some serious restoration. I cleaned it all up and sewed missing sequins and torn seams back together. I was very pleased with the way it came out. I thought it was a perfect dress to wear to the under the stars anything. I only got one picture of myself with my beautiful friend Daniela. Even so, I thought it would make a nice holiday ...