How to Mix and Match Print Fabrics for Sewing: Part 4

Welcome back!  If you missed the first three parts of this series, you can go back and check them out
at the links below.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Today we are going to look at fabric matches that don't work, and why they are not great choices.

First we will start with this brown fabric.

You can see that it has the right colors and it is a different scale from our base fabric.  So why doesn't it work?

As you can see the scale is VASTLY different. In my opinion, it is too much of a difference.  But, that is only the first thing that I find wrong with it.  The print in this fabric has these flourishes which are almost kind of a baroque thing.  It's much more of a classical feel to me and so that doesn't really fit with the vibe that our modern base fabric has to offer.

Then there is this pink houndstooth check.  Just wrong...

The check is, again, the right colors and the scale is better than the first example, but the feel is wrong, again.  When I think of houndstooth check, I am immediately thrown to the glamor gals of the 1960's era.  I specifically think of Jackie Kennedy for some reason.  So the retro essence of this fabric really doesn't match the modernness of the base fabric.

And our third example.  Once again the vibes of the fabric just don't go together.  I love this little aqua print, this fabric is totally me, but it doesn't go with our base fabric.  This print, while still modern, has a much more whimsical, childish feel to it than our base fabric.

So there you have it.  We have looked at choosing a base fabric, toning it down, livening it up, and what not to do.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!