In a few weeks, Rae will be teaching a Quilted Jacket class at Capital Quilts in Gaithersburg MD with limited spaces left. On the Saturdays that serve as parentheses to Thanksgiving, she will be teaching a Tabula Rasa Jacket Class at Spring Water Designs. So it is, Opus or Tabula Rasa – Which jacket pattern to choose for your project?
The Tabula Rasa Jacket Pattern from Fit for Art is our original pattern. The Latin name means “blank slate” and the design really is a blank slate for the sewist. This jacket pattern drove the origination of our pattern company. It is full of wonderful features — two different fronts for a good fit in the bust, two different sides for a good fit in the hips, and a wide variety of variation patterns and blog features to give you a limitless set of design options. The jacket itself is designed as a lightweight jacket for one layer underneath, but it can be fit for a number of different situations and silhouettes.
The Opus Jacket was developed for the book Sewing Quilted Patchwork Jackets. The Latin name means the “pinnacle” of all jackets, your greatest work! This pattern is similar to the Tabula Rasa Jacket with the signature square armhole/side panel construction. It is a looser fit, designed as outerwear to go over more than one layer if desired. There are two front style options, a Kimono Band or a Collar style, the shoulder is slightly extended, and the armhole lower. While there are no front or side pattern fitting options, we offer video tutorials on how to adjust both the Opus and Tabula Rasa jacket patterns for a personalized fit. If you have already made a Tabula Rasa Jacket, you would use the same size to make the Opus Coat.
For Kids we offer the Opus Coat in size 2-12 and the Tabby Jacket, also in size 2-12. Like the adult version, the Opus pattern can only be found in Sewing Quilted Patchwork Jackets. The children’s Opus is a great pattern for outerwear. The Tabby jacket pattern is cut slightly smaller, again for light jackets, and comes with a booklet with excellent directions to help a kid who is reading make the jacket themselves with some assistance from an adult.
We are so proud of our jacket patterns and think you cannot go wrong with either of the Fit for Art jacket patterns. We do recommend to you that if what you want to make is quilted jackets, the Sewing Quilted Patchwork Jackets book is an incredible bargain with the pattern in both adult and kids sizes and 10 complete projects to tempt you.
Feeling confused or wondering about taking the TRJ class if you are interested in making quilted jackets? Starting with the TRJ is a wise move. It will get you started on your garment sewing journey. With a personalized TRJ in hand you can easily make one or more of the projects from the book or transfer your fitting adjustments to the Opus pattern. The classes at Springwater are such fun, it is a terrific classroom and there is plenty of fabric to inspire if you want assistance choosing your quilted jacket fabric combinations. There are still openings in the Springwater class and you will have time between the Saturday classes to work on your jacket projects. It is an excellent opportunity to get going.
We also have a few spots remaining in our Fall Retreat November 13-15 at the Maritime Institute near BWI airport. If you join us, we will guide you in deciding Opus or Tabula Rasa – which one will you choose?
We also want to share a special opportunity! On Saturday, November 8, Carrie and Rae will be at Mekong River Textiles with our friend Susan McCauley and her beautiful collection of Asian handmade fabrics, for a Book Signing and Trunk Show. This is a free event and we would love to have you join us between 10 and 1 in the Silver Spring area.
Happy Sewing and Planning, RAE
