Debora Coelho

Dress # 49 - update photos Hello again, sewing world. Here’s a few pictures of the dress I made this week. Easy Summer -  Dress # 49 from Butterick B5918. The hat is from a project I created last year. I only use it as a display piece. It’s fun to wear for short periods of time. It also serves as a great décor piece in the entrance of my home. Hats do have their use. I think. Well, I hope you enjoy the photos and that it inspires you to create and as always thank you for sharing in our sewing journey. Have a great weekend everyone! Debora Easy Summer -  Dress # 49 Hello everyone! I made another dress this week again using Butterick B5918. This time I wanted to lighten things up. I used a light weight material  purchased last year on clearance at JoAnn’s Fabrics. The fabric is very slippery and difficult to work with. It was me against the fabric and of course, I won. The Butterick pattern too is still a bit of a struggle on the front pleated bodice. T...

Hello everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. I finally finished this “Sunny Dress” using Butterick Pattern B5918 - View C. I’m very pleased with it. I struggled a bit adjusting the neckline to stay straight on the body. I used canvas material as interfacing which worked really well with this fabric. The shoulder line also needed some structure and I placed in self-made shoulder pads. The dress is completely lined and has an invisible zipper in the back. I added pockets to the pattern and a simple belt. I even had material left over for a wrap that I will use on those chilly days when a lady could use a simple light extra cover around her back. The best part, is always the sentimental value of the dress. The hem lining is beautifully covered in double lace left over  from my mothers’ fabric store from her years in the fabric business. She can’t seem to get enough of looking and feeling it. And that’s why I sew…“for the love of mother.” Have a great weekend everyone and...

Loving her every stitch of the way! Everyday matters. This is my mother. She is eighty one years old. She suffers from dementia and requires 24/7 care. In addition to giving her that care,  everyday I strive to give her the best quality of life possible. In her working years she was a self employed seamstress. Last year, I embarked on a sewing journey in order keep her mind engaged. She loves to watch me sew and from time to time I give her simple tasks to work on. Recently, I decided I was going to bring up one of my sewing machines and see if she wanted to set out in a new venture of machine stitch embroidery. To my surprise not only was she up to the task, but she is actually re-learning a lot of her old sewing skills. I am so blown away with how the mind works. She won’t remember that she did this today, but tomorrow she will have a  better day because she did. Loving her every stitch of the way!

“Whale Watching” Coat Here’s the spring coat I made this week, once again using burda pattern 8292. This time I used a jean material and lined it with a cotton nautical print both from JoAnn’s Fabrics. I used a different collar and I was excited about incorporating bonded buttonholes as well as self covered buttons from the same fabric as the lining. I’m very happy with this coat. It’s super comfortable and just the right weight for this time of year. I think this is one of those pieces that I’m going to use for many years to come. It kind of grows on you like an old friend. Well, I hope you enjoy the pictures as well as the beautiful scenes from Gooseberry Island at Horseneck Beach. And my favorite picture is the one of my mother removing pins from the garment for me. I’m so blessed to have her. Thank you for sharing in our sewing journey. Good night everyone! Debora 

I don’t usually blog during the week. As a matter of fact, I’m more into sewing than bloggin. But tonight it’s different! Tonight, I have an inspiration that can’t wait. Tonight, I went to Joann’s fabrics and bought this beautiful fabric to make this spring coat that I have been dreaming about since spring arrived. You see, spring is here, but it’s still cold! And I need a spring coat,  but I want it to be special. And sew, I think that this nautical fabric mixed in with jean fabric is it. It is a perfect fit for New England. I’m going to make this and when I’m done…I’m going to make my husband drive me all the way to Cape Cod to take pictures of me wearing this coat, so you can see how fitting this coat is going to be for New England! Ah, isn't life “sew” special!

I finally had the right occasion to wear “The Champagne Lady Dress.” It was a lovely time last night at the Cape Verdean Association Anniversary Gala filled with culture and celebration. These folks do so much in our community. They are now in the process of totally renovating an old movie theater into a Cape Verdean cultural center. You can check out their site @ http://www.cvanb.org/. New Bedford is so rich with diversity, cultures an of course so many beautiful people. Enjoy.  The Champagne Lady Dress When I was a kid back in the 70’s we used to watch The Lawrence Welk Show. Lawrence Welk for those who may not know, was a great Polish accordion player and orchestra conductor. His shows were full of lovely musical numbers celebrating great music, singing and even dancing. The costumes were perfectly fitted to everyone, they even had matching hair, ok “wigs.”  There was this one lady who sang like heaven. Lawrence Welk referred to her as the “Champagne L...

Good evening everyone! I just came back from attending “The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick 74th Annual Dinner” at Whites of Westport. It’s such a wonderful event with such great people who do so much in our community. Tonight, I wore the dress I made this week from Vogue V8899. The sleeves are my own design as well as the matching clutch bag. The fabric is from JoAnn’s fabric store. It is completely lined and I used canvas material on the neckline as well as the sleeve facing and the “V” front piece. I’m naming this dress “The Irish Spring Dress.” The snow is melting away and we can finally see land. This has been one of the toughest winters I ever remember. I’m tired of wearing hats, boots and coats. Tonight, it felt great to wear something springy. Well, good night everyone. Hope you enjoy it and as always, thank you for sharing in my sewing journey. Have a great weekend everyone! Debora