Deb Walz
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
Don’t you love being around kind people?
Deb Walz is a kind person! She has lived in Melrose for 35 years and has been active in the Girl Scouts, a hockey team manager, and school volunteer.
For the last 20 years, she has organized the biannual Veterans breakfast. Deb solicits donations and with the help of teen volunteers provides a lovely free brunch for our veterans!
Deb, a self-taught sewer, is the head seamstress for the Melrose Nutcracker Youth Ballet. She provides alterations for Belle of the Ball – a nonprofit that collects used prom dresses and distributes them to young ladies to wear at their prom.
In 2007 she started Deb’s Sewing Table. I have used her to hem pants and make pillows. Her expert skills range from making curtains, cushions, bags, surgical caps, and anything that can be made with a needle and thread.
Her homemade creations can be found at Paper & Clay or the Beauty Café. Or on her website: debssewingtable.com. A portion of all sales are donated to local charities.
One of her designs is a memory bear. She uses clothing from a deceased loved one to create a memorial bear. I love this idea; it must be comforting to someone grieving.
Her favorite project is making alterations during prom season – she loves to see the students shine and feel good about themselves.
Deb shares her passion with youth and adults by providing sewing lessons.
What she loves about Melrose is the sense of community. The community has been very supportive of her during hard times.
I think Deb Walz is one of the reasons Melrose is such a great place to live!
