Every group that comes to La Cascade for a refreshing week in the French Countryside, have lots of good things to say. We were particularly grateful to our friend Barbie who wrote us this French Testimonial about her experience and agreed to let us print it to inspire you to…
Rae has dreamed about finishing this strip of modern surface design and making it into a band on an asymmetrical vest for years. The project began before the final design was even envisioned and then it became an intention mired in the complexities of life. But as we are thinking…
Fit for Art Patterns invites you to refresh your creative spirit at La Cascade Artists Retreat in Durfort, an enchanting medieval artisan village in the Languedoc region of France. The one-week program is lead by textile artists and Fit for Art owners Rae Cumbie* and Carrie Emerson.** Together we will explore the…
At the change of seasons, we like to refresh the collection of garment samples included in the banner on the home page of FitforArtPatterns.com in hopes of inspiring your sewing, and ours! With Fall arriving where we live, on the East Coast of the US, we’ve selected a group of…
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…
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…
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…
Every now and then there is an exhibit that really speaks to one’s current interests. This exhibit Woven Histories, currently at the National Gallery of Art on the Washington DC mall, was such an experience for Rae. A very informed art history buff and friend recommended the exhibit, knowing how much I…
We have been playing around with an asymmetrical band front for the Tabula Rasa Jacket for many years. It is now time to show you the adjustments needed to change your Tabula Rasa Jacket pattern into this less predictable style. You have recently seen a garment made in this style…
There is a movement in sewing, like in many other old established practices, to move back to the pre-industrial methods of creating. Embrace the process, one teacher might say. Another will say, experience the calm and creativity of a hand stitching practice. As a custom dressmaker, my career prior to…
Carpe Diem Dress & Tunic
Price range: $20.00 through $30.00
Sewing Quilted Patchwork Jackets
$22.99
Tabby Jacket
Price range: $15.00 through $20.00
