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Quick Tops with Tabula Rasa Tee Variations

It is so gratifying to be able to whip up a new knit top in just a few hours! Having a fitted core pattern for the easy-to-construct Tabula Rasa Knit Tee & Tunic and its variations makes this possible. This post features two tops that Rae and Carrie sewed up in the midst of busy holiday preparations.

Cowl Sweater Knit

Carrie made a knit top to wear with those magic gray denim Eureka pants you read about earlier this fall. She acquired the very soft gray marled sweater knit in a fabric swap with fellow chapter members of the Association of Sewing & Design Professionals a year or so ago. It was perfect with those pants and there was enough fabric for her favorite cold weather Tabula Rasa Knit variation – the surplice top with cowl collar from Clever Crossing Variations – so she had a pattern all ready to go. The steps for making a surplice top with simple binding was covered in detail in the post Confetti Surplice Knit Top. The only difference is that the neckline is finished with a deep cowl collar instead of a binding. Here are two additional cowl collared knits in Carrie’s wardrobe and one from Rae’s.

If you are interested in sewing this style for yourself, keep in mind that the cowl collar is a large pattern piece requiring nearly 1/2 yard additional fabric. It can be cut in a single piece on the fold, or in two sections joined at center back. Find step-by-steps for preparing and attaching the collar in our blog post Cozy Cowl Collar.

Favorite Wide Neckline

Many of you commented last week on Rae’s social post about making a new knit top with a festive silver knit fabric. You were right – she did get it finished in plenty of time for holiday festivities! Rae has made many tops with Wide Neckline Variations for Tabula Rasa Knits, so she also had a trusty pattern ready to go. This fabric was purchased from a remnant sale at the online source Sawyer Brook Fabrics last year; she was able to squeeze the top out with careful planning and cutting each sleeve separately. Don’t forget to turn the pattern over on a knit like this with a definite right and wrong side.

Rae added a little collar to the ballet neckline in order to support a big pin she wanted to wear with the top. Here she is ready to party as she gets settled into her new French home!

Perk up your wardrobe with a new top in a hurry with your Tabula Rasa Knit Tee & Tunic pattern and variations!

Happy Sewing, Carrie & Rae

1 thought on “Quick Tops with Tabula Rasa Tee Variations

  1. You look so great Rae. Wishing you and Jim a wonderful holiday in your new home!!!

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