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Sewing with Plaids and Checks

Rae and Carrie modeiling plaid shirts

While we love the square armhole construction of the Tabula Rasa Jacket and its progeny, it can be a challenge when working with fabric that has plaids or checks, or some other strong directional motif.  The square armhole method creates four side seams around the body of the garment that… 

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Hand or Machine Finishes?

How do you choose the final finishes on each sewing project?  Utilitarian clothes are often finished by machine, but pretty clothes feel special when finished by hand. Hand Finishes for the Blouse Early this spring, I made a tunic length blouse using my Tabula Rasa Jacket pattern modified with the…