
At the change of seasons, we like to refresh the collection of garment samples included in the banner on the home page of FitforArtPatterns.com in hopes of inspiring your sewing, and ours! With Fall arriving where we live, on the East Coast of the US, we’ve selected a group of transitional garments to share. They are equally useful for days in which the temperatures fluctuate dramatically! We know many of you live in places where the seasons are different, so file some of these ideas away for the appropriate time in your hometown. We cannot say it often enough—Fit for Art’s Four Core Patterns, along with a few of their variation patterns, are all you need to sew up a wardrobe for all seasons and occasions.
Tabula Rasa Jackets

Three very different jackets, all based on the Tabula Rasa Jacket pattern, are featured in this banner. Prayer Flags is the basic TRJ pattern with a simple band-style cuff (Sleeve & Cuff Variations) added to the sleeves to match the kimono band. The finished jacket is far from basic though! It is crafted in beautiful jewel-toned dupioni silk and embellished with appliqued hand painted “flags” and couched trim to represent the string tying the flags together for display. Visit Prayer Flags to follow the links to Rae’s description of her creative process. The light silk and batting in this quilted jacket make it a great choice for mild temperatures in transitional seasons. See more quilted jacket inspiration in our photo gallery and in our soon-to-be-released book Sewing Quilted Patchwork Jackets.

The Rayon Ruched Jacket was also designed from the basic TRJ Pattern with just one variation – a ruched band (Band Variations) which is perfectly suited to this soft and drapey batik rayon fabric. The ruched style of the front band was echoed in the jacket’s cuff, which is described in the post Rayon Twice. SewBatik‘s lovely rayon is a versatile weight for all seasons; it has inspired numerous Fit for Art jackets and tops which you can find in our Photo Gallery including the Blue Batik Swing Shirt, Batik Splendor, Indigo Batik Dreams, and Rayon Fireworks Shirt.

The lined Toile Spring Jacket was a more complicated project, incorporating several variations for the TRJ. The front zipper closure, back pleat, collar and detachable hood are all included in Rain or Shine Variations for the Tabula Rasa Jacket and the turnback cuff is found in Sleeve & Cuff Variations for the TRJ. It’s made from upholstery weight fabric and is fully lined, making it a fun coat for cool weather whatever the season. Look for bold and beautiful upholstery weight and home dec fabrics for your next transitional Tabula Rasa Jacket. Other examples include the Blue & Gold Brass Zip Jacket, Its a Spectacle, and the Retro Home Dec Jacket.
Carpe Diem Tops

The Carpe Diem Dress & Tunic pattern is equally adaptable to the season and occasion. The banner features three Fall friendly Carpe Diem based tops. The Trimmed Up Tunic is a basic Carpe Diem tunic embellished with store-bought trim that draws out the colors in the rayon fabric and lines of the tunic. The trim is carried to the back of the tunic with a belt, adding gentle shaping at the waist.

Drapey silk is also a great choice for an all seasons Carpe Diem top, as seen in the banner sample Silk Top with Handwoven Vest and the similar Green Silk Tunic. Both of these tops, made from silk Carrie picked up during her travels in India, are wardrobe expanders that can be dressed up or down. The sleeves were extended to wrist length and finished with elastic in casing to take advantage of the silk’s weight and drape. For a very special occasion Carpe Diem top, view this exquisite Embroidered Downton Abby Blouse, made from vintage silk.

A clever embellishment technique creates a special top for the Carpe Diem with Beaded Seams. Rae explains this technique in Bead the Seams for Festive Garments, featuring an elaborate silk Tabula Rasa Jacket crafted for Threads magazine in 2020, issue #212. This banner Carpe Diem sample is sewn in SewBatik rayon, like the jackets and blouses mentioned above, making it easy to wear across seasons and amenable to dressing up and down. It’s drape is also great for a dress length Carpe Diem, like this Minty Fresh Dress.
Tabula Rasa Knit Tops

Knit tops are foundational in every woman’s wardrobe and the banner includes two fun examples. Believe it or not, the Tiger Zen Tunic is based solely on the basic Tabula Rasa Knit Tee & Tunic pattern, but brought to roaring life with a combination of exotic knit fabrics. Read more about how Rae planned and pieced this striking knit top from print, solid and lace knit fabrics in Olive Pieced Tiger Tee. Find more inspiration for pieced knits in Turquoise Patchwork Tee and Rolling Bubbles. All three knit tops are constructed with one of our favorite piecing techniques for knits, employing the rolled edge or narrow hem stitch on a serger to join the blocks.

Twin Set Variations for Tabula Rasa Knits is made for transitional weather with its tank top and two cardigan styles for knits. The banner sample, Flower Basket Cardigan, shows the Tailored Cardigan style twin set with a collar and cuffs, perfect for when you want a more tailored look. For a layered seasonal tailored cardigan, see the Fabulous Fall Twin Set, which is also embellished with leaf shapes. Alternatively, choose a Waterfall Cardigan style for a more relaxed look. The Periwinkle Waterfall Cardigan and French Terry Waterfall are both made from french terry, which is warm and cozy for cooler weather and drapey enough to suit this waterfall style. Find several more examples of Twin Set cardigans and tank tops in our twin set photo gallery and get sewing for your transitional wardrobe.
And of course all of your tops and jackets need pants to complete the outfit. Once you’ve fitted Eureka! Pants that Fit to your satisfaction, you can make comfortable pants for all seasons and occasions. Rely on the three Pants Details patterns to change up the styles to complement your tops.
What are your favorite Fit for Art styles for cooling or transitional weather? What’s on your sewing table? Please share!