The autumnal season and quilted jackets are ideas that belong together like latte and pumpkin spice. Each fall we have at least one blog post and class about quilting Tabula Rasa Jackets. For my September OSQE Quilted Jacket Class I started a pair of quilted jackets which were used as…
Changing the look of sleeves on a DIY jacket or shirt can really personalize the garment. We knew this when we created the Sleeve and Cuff Variations pattern for the Tabula Rasa Jacket. It was the very first variation pattern we developed and is still a fun and useful resource. …
This week we are reaching back into the archives for a look at several summer weight Tabula Rasa Shirt Variations that we’ve written blog posts about over the last 5 years. Hopefully these will inspire you to dig through your stash for some cotton or other light fabrics to sew…
Welcome to Sew! Let’s Get Dressed, a weekly blog that encourages you to sew successfully. Welcome to another installment in our series “Three Core Patterns – One Great Wardrobe.” We hope to inspire you to create your dream wardrobe with the 3 core patterns from Fit for Art, a little…
I was surprised by how much attention this new Tabula Rasa Jacket received at the Fredericksburg and Schaumburg Expos. Many times I found myself explaining which pattern variations were used to create the rayon batik top, and then sending the asker to the Sew Batik booth to get their own…
It is a fun exercise to examine two garments made from the same fabric. In this case the tops are similar Tabula Rasa Jackets (TRJ). I made one for Laura Murray, wearable artist extraordinaire, and one for myself. Look closely at the next two photos and see if you can…
One of my new favorite samples to wear is this Tabula Rasa Jacket based on the Rain or Shine Variations. I made it from an Indonesian cotton batik sarong that I had had in my stash for a few years. (No personal history; just found it in a box of…
Is sewing for summer different from sewing in the cooler seasons? If you live in a seasonal climate like I do, the answer is yes. Hot and humid weather calls for clothing that is effortless, light, airy and washable. No opportunities to get lost in layers of facings, interfacings, linings…
We have a handful of quilted jacket samples that draw oohs and ahhs at every show, folks wishing to buy or make. So, Fit for Art is creating a series of directions for “Specialty Quilted Jackets” that provide step-by-step instructions to replicate some of those admired jackets. Currently we have…
A colorful bundle of Echino fat quarters came to me as a gift from my daughter several years ago, and I immediately wanted to make them into a Tabula Rasa Jacket (TRJ). But, fat quarters (18” by 22 1/2 “) are challenging when designing garments, especially if you want to…
