Don't be Afraid of Colors and Patterns!

Did you know that Sir Issac Newton developed the first circular color wheel in 1666? The color wheel is based on three colors known as primary colors; red, yellow and blue. These three colors cannot be mixed or formed by any combinations of other colors. By mixing these colors we can form secondary colors; orange, green and purple and by mixing secondary colors we  form  tertiary colors; yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green and yellow-green. The color wheels used today have primary colors positioned equidistant from one another and bridge the secondary and tertiary colors. The colors opposite each other on the wheel are complimentary colors, monochromatic colors are variations of the same hue and analogous colors are located adjacent to one another.

It is the harmony of these colors that make things pleasing to the eye and it is the interaction between these colors that makes a piece interesting. Warm colors, such as red, orange and yellow are known as active colors and cool colors such as, blue, purple and green are known as passive colors. 

When I make appliques for my clothing line "beaucoup baby & kids" I try to use a combination of warm and cool to make my pieces interesting and pleasing to the eye.  Everywhere I go I always have my eyes open for new and interesting colors with different patterns . I have only purchased the same fabric once, believe it or not! (http://www.worqx.com/color/color_wheel.htm)

Right now the fabric area of my workroom looks pretty good. I have organized it and have everything neatly folded and visible for my picking and choosing, but it will not stay like this. As I start designing, I start pulling out coordinating fabric and it is a mess. I do not stop and put things back or try to keep organized while I am designing because I loose my designing edge.

 

Below I am posting pictures of coordinating fabrics I would use for appliqueing so you can see the different fabrics and patterns that I mix and match to get a design that is pleasing and interesting to the eye. I love to add a little something that is unexpected. Stay with me, and I think you will agree, do not be afraid to mix it up a little!

 I love this grouping! Starting on the left with a green and blue stripe that folds into blooms, with a pop of white in the flower/paisley print. Notice, I then bring in a stripe introducing oranges and reds, with another stripe that has a pattern interest. Moving on and pop-ping with colorful dots and blooms with a vivid hot pink back-ground, this really adds a punch of color. Who would have thought all from a little green and blue striped piece of fabric?

These fabrics coordinate beautifully. The very pale green lattice fabric on the left, my anchor fabric and tends to be more neutral in this group. This folds into a patterned stripe that has a hint of brown (another neutral), pink, and blue. Then wow, a bold fabric  with shades of  pink, orange, green and an anchor color of white. Notice how I bring in a fabric with a blue background to compliment the patterned stripe.

My best example of slipping neutrals in with bold fabrics. The polka dot fabric on the left grabs your eye as well as the argyle in an unexpected way. Look at how well the brown and blue paisley blends and is also unexpected. The bold dots and argyle along with the paisley bubble into the grayish fabric filled with dots. It works-sneaking the grays in with bold colors.

Easy picks red, white and blue! But would you choose the star pattern to the right? Probably not! Now notice the subtle green checked fabric, look  how well it goes with the red and blue, surprising, isn't it? Little unexpected things make a piece interesting.

Again, no brainer....black, white and red! But would you dare add hounds tooth or a hexagon pattern with skull pirates? I do not think so.....a preppy pirate,  arrrrrggghhh!

This group looks simple, but most of my customers will tell me to exclude the fabric on the far right.....why I say? They feel it has too much blue. No, it does not! The monkey fabric blends beautifully with the soft green and brown polka dot while spicing it up a little with the red and other polka dots. The fabric with the brown and blue polka dots draws the eye and that is what you want to do when you applique.

Love this cute group....the puppy fabric has a flowered puppy and a polka dot one, now add a sassy hot pink zebra and wow! Who would have thought? Notice how the zebra and puppy fabric is drawn to the black geometric looking fabric with punches of color. Add a few dots and stripes 

then wow it with strong bright florals. See how the floral back-grounds seem to be reversed-they are not the same fabric, but give you that same impression. Interesting, that is what I want!

Anchor fabric, cats and dogs, boys fabric on the left-girls on the right. I apologized for not adding a stripe and some gingham for the boys, but look at how well these colors go together giving you bright colors and interest. The bone fabric causes a double look and that is what I look for! Again, hot pink zebra with cats and dogs....push the envelope! The geometric fabric adds interest and  folds into a diamond fabric and the polka dots add pizazz. Notice the pink and green that is re-peated as well as black and white.

Have fun and allow yourself to play with colors and fabrics. Primary colors mixed with secondary and tertiary colors tie your piece together. Adding a complimentary color adds interest along with your pattern choices! Have fun and create!