Cinzia's work

Recently, Cinzia had been sewing so many things and now she really needs holiday after all. Any of these projects not for her. She worked for her daugthers' friends. That her daughters can give to their friends as birthday presents and leaving presents.

Cinzia despite using her sewing machine she does paing on T-Shirts.

Now she is ready for holidays in Algarve before starting quilt camp on 15 and 16 July.

Doris Teixeira's workshop in Caldas da Rainha

The first day at the Caldas da Rainha with Doris Teixeira's workshop was so exciting. She is a very talented woman, finding time to make gorgeous work while juggling with eight children. She started sewing when she was a child and then carried working while upbringing eight children. She said "she makes time." I do not havetime to do all my things although I have only two girls. Now I have to learn to make my time.

Here is gallery of some of her work. She loves birds or parrots in her work and her works show a great reflection of Brazilian life. From time to time I hear news about someone's paintings sold in millions. I wonder, in the future how much her work will gather collectors eyes and their money or it will appreiciated by public.

13 women gathered to learn from Doris. We divided us into two groups to make two different patterns. When I started working on my project of flowers I understood why Doris said she has to make a time. Stitching went on and on. These gave me an opportunity to experiment my Pfaff Creative 2.0 stitches. First time I used many different types of variegated threads on stitches and result was fantastic.

These days were my opportunity to practice my Portuguese. At lunch table several of us had a great conversation about how we have been making patchwork or sewing. There were very interesting ladies with their work and family they tried to make time for their hobbies.

In the evening many ladies left for home and couple of us stayed at Caldas International Hotel. It is nice hotel but there is still some room to be improved. Mário, Bernina dealer, who is organising this workshop took us to Nazare, a small see side town on the cliffs. At the town centre old women wearing seven layers of traditional skirts were selling nuts and dried fruit. Wearing many skirts it is a very local custom.

At the beach there were some shelves of fish frying in a traditional way. An old boat was waiting for it is photo opportunity.

After visiting Nazare we went to Sao Martinhos do Porto. Another seaside town with it beaches and we took more photos of the town and beach. My camera and me now are inseparable. Everytime when I leave the house I have my bulky Nikon D80n with me. Unfortunately, I am not always taking my video camera and tripod. Another weight to add to my backpack.

Bernina workshop

This Friday, 25 June at 2pm we will have Bernina artists in the Quilt Bar, Caxias, to give a talk about everything what you could do with your Bernina machines.

Doris, a Brazilian artist will talk about her experience in Patchwork.

Rosemarie, from Switzerland will demostrate My Label 3D fashion software (berninamylabel.com)

Alda, a Portuguese, will explain embroidery software Desinger Plus V6 and cutwork software (bernina.com/cutwork)

Wokshop is free of charge. Let me know that you will attend the workshop. Tell your friends who can or cannot sew.

My contact: patchworkpt[at]gmail.com

We made bags today

It is a very satisfactory that when you make bags. I think it is a sort of therapy for women.

Cinzia decided to use red and blue fabric with teddy bear print. She made smaller version of a bag because she had to make a present for her daughter's friend's birthday. She had red lining which makes this little bag stand out!

Ann just returned from her two weeks trip to France with bagful of fabrics. I like her husband, who says to her all the time "buy more". I wish I could train my husband saying these words.

This bag was made from her French collection. At the end of the day the bag was almost finished and only handles left to be attached. She has been making bags for her daugthers and friends. This pretty black and yellow bag is for her friend.

While I was teaching how to make a bag I tried to make my star quilt but instead I undid stithces many times. I could not do multitasking. I thought I am good but today was not multitasking day.

Embroidery First, Appliqué After

2 days class „Embroidery First, Appliqué After“ by Brazilian Artist Doris Texeira.

23 and 24 June, Caldas Rainha, International Caldas Hotel

Workshop Description

In this work I wanted to honour the old hand embroiderers women “simulating” in a contemporary flavour the richly textures and volume, believing that all is possible with a Bernina. Superposing and juxtaposing machine stitches, using bobbing work, couching, double needle, the fake needle felting and others tricks, we can create a delicious and different work of art.

if you are interested in contact at patchworkpt[at]gmail.com

I am making a star

One of our meetings Ann brought a quilt book and there was a Bethlehem Star quilt. So I decided to try. The book was not very helpful but friends were. With help of Ursula, I managed to go forward with my work.

Here are some of my work so far. It is still long, long way to finish.

Working on our own projects

Therese was showing her finally her's, it is really her's quilt. At the end of the meeting it was ready to be spread on her bed.

Cinzia made two wall hangings before going to Italy to attend family ceremony.


On 27 May the Quilt Bar welcomed a new lady, Kate from Australia. Actually, she is from England but lived there for forty years. Now she is visiting her daughter and granddaughter in Portugal. She brought with her two projects - socks and a scarf.

Irene worked on her little stitches and was making pin cushion.

Cinzia was making flowers for her bag. Therese bind her quilt.