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Take Time to Make Jackets

Make time for Tabula Rasa Jackets as we move into a new season and want a little wardrobe refresh.  Where I live, we are moving into fall, the perfect time to make time to make a jacket.  Or you could say take the time to take a jacket making class.  The words make and take in the title can be used in a number of ways just like the Tabula Rasa Jacket Pattern.

Wearing a shirt variation of the TRJ, holding a basic TRJ at the Artistic Artifacts Trunk Show.

If you live in the Washington DC metro area, you can sign up for a wonderful group of classes to help you master the Tabula Rasa Jacket pattern and become acquainted with its possibilities.  If you cannot make it to Artistic Artifacts, the location of these classes, and live in the southern hemisphere where you are headed into spring not fall, begin by personalizing a mock up using the pattern directions and all the supporting materials on our Jacket Help Page in the Helpful Hints Tab.  Add in some personalized virtual coaching appointments with me via zoom as you tweak the fit and plan increasingly advanced designs.

Here is a look at the Artistic Artifacts series.  (If you are working on your own or with a sewing friend, structure your appointed time the same way we are structuring the class.)

A fabulous mock up, color blocked to imagine the possibilities

We will start with a one day mock up making and fitting class on September 24.  If you have already made a mock up, bring it along for final tweaks and use the time with us to make a wearable mock up: a simple unlined version of our versatile square armhole jacket that can be worn in public to really test the fit.

Getting started with the correct size using our mock ups.

In October, Saturday the 15th and Saturday the 29th are reserved for an advanced and quilted jacket making class.  By now the wearable mock up must most certainly will have been finished and worn. Any fitting adjustments based on the wearing of the garment must be made to the pattern.  The amount of fun design and stitching work that goes into an advanced jacket must be preceded by finding a great fit.

A wide variety of Tabula Rasa Jackets.

There are 13 days scheduled between the two class sessions to work toward the completion of a variation, pieced or quilted jacket using a personalized pattern.

The first session will present several options for piecing and quilting and lots of time to plan the advanced project.  The second session will be spent with final construction and all the finishing for your advanced jacket.  A fabulous opportunity to really stretch your creative muscles and create a masterpiece.

If you don’t have an idea about what sort of advanced jacket you would like to make, the Artistic Artifacts store is full of unusual fabrics and mixed media ideas.  If you don’t live nearby, take a spin through their website and watch some of their Facebook live recordings for a plethora of inspiration.  Fit for Art will be bringing along a number of our advanced jackets to our class but if you are working at home, visit our gallery and search through the Jackets and follow the links to the related blog posts to find ideas.

A fitting in our booth at an expo.

At the Fredericksburg OSQE Sept 29-Oct 1 stop by the booth to see many of the gallery jackets in person. Take advantage of the complimentary jacket sizing with pattern purchase to jumpstart the process.  Catch Carrie’s trunk show about her 4 Core Patterns travel wardrobe.  Sign up for the Sew Garments that Scratch your Creative Itch or Creative Hemlines to find some new jacket inspiration.

Two soft swingy TRJ’s in my future.

I have two sets of fabric on my cutting table that are calling out to be Tabula Rasa Jackets with the Swing Variations.  This has become one of my favorite styles for working from home, the new normal.  I want to feel polished but be super comfortable.  As you begin this jacket journey, think about what sorts of styling and comfort goals you have with regards to your new creations and design with them in mind. With these two fabric groups they also are perfect with some buttons I have wanted to use for a while. The jackets front band is perfect for featuring favorite buttons so choose a project with that in mind.

Perhaps in 2023 we will offer an online class that moves students through this process.  If that interests you, please let us know in the comments.  Your interest will give us inspiration to take the time to make the class a go!

Happy Sewing! RAE

14 thoughts on “Take Time to Make Jackets

  1. I would love an online Zoom class, using the same class structuring as above. I live in Washington State so the time would be important.
    Also, I believe you have come to Sew Expo held in Puyallup, Washington (Washington State Fairgrounds). Will you be coming in 2023? It’s usually held the end of February into the first week of March.

    1. We are not planning on coming to the Sew Expo at present. It is a fun event. RAE

      1. Will you possibly be an online presence @ Sew Expo if they go online again? This is how I learned of your patterns last year and I thoroughly enjoyed your trunk shows and lectures. I would love to take a zoom class with you or an in-person if you make it to the west coast. Thank you for the classes last year @Sew Expo – my favorite part of the show!

        1. If they offer virtual opportunities I will definately try to participate.

  2. These jackets look so beautiful and easy to make with their simple design. What makes these jackets, in my mind, is all about how you design and dress them up. Keep up the great work ladies.

  3. An online call would be a splendid idea! Thank you!

  4. An online, preferably downloadable, series of classes would be wonderful as I live in the UK. Since breaking my right shoulder sewing has become a painful and difficult hobby, which I need to work at quite slowly. I would not be able to keep up with 1-off scheduled classes, especially if they were only available in the evening/night time for students based in the UK/Europe .

  5. I would love an online class opportunity.

  6. I think an online, downloadable class would be great!

  7. I would like to be on your mail list to hear about an online class you may have in the future on this jacket. Kay Hutson

    1. Hi Kay, Sign up at the bottom of any page on our website to receive our monthly newsletter and weekly blog posts. That way you will be the first to know when we schedule a virtual class. Thanks for your interest.

  8. Definitely interested in an online class.

  9. YES! I would definitely sign up for online TRJ class! It would be extra awesome if online sessions were recorded so I could go back and rewatch to further cement my learning.

  10. Would love to be able to take a TRJ class online!

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