About Us

Fit for Art Patterns

Our patterns and pattern variations come from our own desire to create comfortable and creative clothing that fits our figures and our busy lifestyles. Fit for Art Patterns introduced its first sewing pattern, the Tabula Rasa Jacket, to the market in 2011. Designed for sewers, quilters and wearable artists, it offers a flattering “blank slate” for creative expression. Our second major pattern, Eureka! Pants that Fit, followed in 2012; after all, great looking jackets need to be worn with well-fitting pants! In 2014, we introduced the Tabula Rasa Knit Tee & Tunic, a very versatile pattern for knit tops. Our fourth core pattern, the Carpe Diem Dress & Tunic, debuted in 2021. Once you’ve fitted our patterns to your figure, you can use them to create a wardrobe for every season and occasion with the supplemental Variation and Detail patterns and inspiration in our blog archive.  Read more about our sewing philosophy.

In 2023, Fit for Art added its first pattern for kids, the Tabby Jacket.  Sew the easy to construct Tabby Jacket for the kids in your life or use its kid-friendly directions and method to teach a kid learning to sew beginner garments.

Rae Cumbie, Creative Director

Rae Cumbie
Rae Cumbie

As Creative Director, Rae gets to spend her days dreaming up new designs and sewing new clothes!  A nationally respected teacher and author, Rae inspires sewists and the Fit for Art community to learn new skills, express their creativity, and sew themselves the wardrobe of their dreams.

For over 20 years Rae was known for her skills as a custom clothing professional, receiving many awards and accolades for her skill and creativity.  Rae began creating wearable art jackets for herself and clients in the Baltimore area.  As a result of teaching jacket making to weavers, Rae began to envision a pattern that offered the versatility and fit textile artists wanted.  A grant from the Potomac Fiber Arts Guild provided Rae with an opportunity to collaborate with quilters and weavers that ultimately resulted in the introduction of the Tabula Rasa Jacket pattern in 2011.  The company and pattern line has grown by leaps and bounds ever since.

You can find out more about Rae and her work at RaeCumbie.com.  Contact Rae directly at rae@fitforartpatterns.com.

Carrie Emerson, Managing Director

As Managing Director, Carrie spends her days keeping the business running and products flowing. Her eye for detail and organization, and experience as a lawyer, is a natural fit for managing the business side of the company.

She is, however, no stranger to sewing and fitting garments.  Carrie began sewing in middle school when she made her first quilt and “Home Ec” projects.  Since then, she has cycled through sewing for the home and gifts, sewing garments for kids and herself, and ultimately designing garments that incorporate piecing and quilting as well as her mother’s weaving. In 2011, Carrie joined forces with Rae to start this independent pattern company.  Over Fit for Art’s decade plus, Carrie has polished her sewing skills, learned pattern drafting and garment fitting, and grown as a teacher and author.

Like many small business owners, Carrie and Rae wear many hats!   Contact Carrie directly at carrie@fitforartpatterns.com.