The new Fit for Art pattern for Tabula Rasa Knits, Clever Crossing Variations (CCV), provides two ways to make a knit top with a crossover yoke front in addition to the surplice front. While the surplice front is limited to a tee hem line, you can easily use either crossover style with the tunic or […]
As I return to the studio after almost 6 weeks away, I am itching to sew for fall. It is such a refreshing time to be planning and sewing with the cool nip in the air each morning. A lovely floral linen, purchased at the ASG Conference, was really calling to me, but I knew […]
When designing and constructing jackets that will illustrate a magazine article, there is a certain level of anxiety that accompanies the project. Most of my days in the studio are spent designing and testing new patterns or sewing up new clothes to hang in the booth and write about on the blog. This is most […]
One of my new favorite samples to wear is this Tabula Rasa Jacket based on the Rain or Shine Variations. I made it from an Indonesian cotton batik sarong that I had had in my stash for a few years. (No personal history; just found it in a box of similar fabrics given to us […]
Is sewing for summer different from sewing in the cooler seasons? If you live in a seasonal climate like I do, the answer is yes. Hot and humid weather calls for clothing that is effortless, light, airy and washable. No opportunities to get lost in layers of facings, interfacings, linings and heavy fabrics in the […]
As we in the United States wish a Happy Birthday to America, we often sport clothes in the colors of the flag. Red, white and blue is such a classic color combination. Since all our patriotic holidays are in the summer, it’s the warm weather wardrobe that calls for red, white, and blue additions. Newspapers, […]
If you follow fashion you know that each season the magazines identify trends to help you curate a wardrobe that is “Au Courant”. We don’t usually think of our pattern collection and design direction as trendy, but this year some of the spring and summer trends fall right in line with our Fit for Art […]
We have a handful of quilted jacket samples that draw oohs and ahhs at every show, folks wishing to buy or make. So, Fit for Art is creating a series of directions for “Specialty Quilted Jackets” that provide step-by-step instructions to replicate some of those admired jackets. Currently we have two specialty directions available, for […]
Sewing together is such fun. You are energized by the projects and ideas of the friends and teachers sewing around you and better yet, there are no distractions that take you away from the sewing machine. Well, perhaps eating diverts you, but in my opinion it is almost as fun as sewing. We were delighted […]
When I was learning to sew, the word “Tailoring” put the fear of God in me. It represented sewing on a higher level than I ever imagined for myself. The thought of stitching up jackets with lapels, hair canvas interfacing and bound button holes seemed impossible. My mother, who had taught me to sew, did […]
