When Rae began playing with ideas for her lovely turquoise top featured in the post about Pinterest Inspiration, she longed for the fabric to match some Eureka! Pants already in her wardrobe. But every time she compared her tan, ivory, olive, black and navy/denim pants to the fabric her heart sank…
Author: Rae Cumbie
Asymmetrical Top with Circle Design
In early spring we wrote about an asymmetrical front opening—another new design that uses a personalized Tabula Rasa Jacket pattern. If you have not tried this design, now is a good time to pull out your pattern and try these pattern adjustments by following the step-by-step directions in the blog. You…
Sew a Twisted Tee
A couple of years ago, Rae made a tee with a twist at the front hem and one at each sleeve hem. She did lots of searching online to try and figure out how to adjust a pattern to accommodate a twist, but once she made the navy tee, she…
Pinterest Inspiration to New Top
Mythic fabric calls for inventive design and so it was this spring that for the third year, Rae pulled out this beautiful silk blend gazar and began imagining a design. If you follow us on social media, you have had glimpses of this project before. Keep reading to learn how…
Terrific Reads about Style Icons
Three recent books have dropped onto our desks, and each one tells the story of a woman style icon. All three are very enjoyable, but in different ways; consider them for your summer into fall reading list. Inspirational and Entertaining Let’s start with the most colorful: Behind the Seams, My Life…
Vintage Buttons that Can Burn
Here’s a mystery story about buttons that can burn. Two years ago, Rae made a series of lawn Tabula Rasa Jackets, to introduce summer TRJ design options to the readers of Classic Sewing Magazine. Lovely lawn was ordered from Farmhouse Fabrics for the tops. She was especially fond of a piece covered…
Band Hem Knit Tunic
Finish a Tabula Rasa Knit Tunic with the swing side using a contrasting band hem. This is such a great alternative on a shaped hem that resists a straight finish. Plus, a hem band offers up another place to use a contrasting fabric and provides weight for better drape on…
Spicy Summer Looks for Hot Days
With this year’s French adventure in the rear view mirror, we are back to the basics of sewing garments that look and feel great. Our current home page banner offers a look at some spicy summer looks that can be stitched up in a hurry. (See an image of the…
In the La Cascade Studio
We are finishing up our week of Enchanting France – Embellishing Fabric at La Cascade studio retreat center, so it’s a busy time. Here are a few photos to inspire you to join us next year! Stay tuned for reports about our day of pastel dyeing and our visit to…
Postcards from ASG National
The American Sewing Guild held their conference this past weekend in the festive city of San Francisco, where the evenings are delightfully cool and the food is exceptional. On Thursday, full- and half-day pre-conference classes were held while the leadership board had their meeting. Rae was privileged to lead a…