Choosing Fabrics- Tricks of the Trade

I think one of the most common things people say to me is, "I just don't know how to put fabrics together" so today I am going to give a few quick tips for putting fabrics together.  This is not the only way to get them to look good, but this is a good way to start.

There are three things to pay attention to when picking fabrics:

1. color

2. scale

3. pattern

First step is to find a fabric that you like that has multiple colors in it.  Now...once you pick this one look at the pattern and the scale.  If it is a large, floral pattern you now know that the next one you pick needs to be something different then that.  For example the lovely Schumacher Chiang Mai (online pictures are deceiving so it really helps to handle the fabrics in person ...this pattern is larger scale then it looks here)...

Next...choose one of the colors that is in the first fabric you chose.  I am choosing orange.  Now find a fabric that has the color in it and is a different scale and different pattern type.  For example I found a medium scale geometric pattern, City Square by Thom Flicia

 

Now that we have a medium and a large scaled fabric, we need to find a small scaled fabric.   At this point it could really be either a floral or a geometric print.  As far as color, it would pull things in nicely to pick another color from the first fabric or possibly something neutral.  Remember that when it comes to color...things DO NOT have to match exactly.  As long as it is in generally the same family of color it looks nice to have some contrast.  For this example I have chosen a Schumacher print called Betwixt.  This fabric also adds some nice texture.

 And here they are all together.

Here are a few gorgeous samples of pillows using this technique done by the the etsy shop Woodyliana.  Don't you want every single one of these pillows, because I do!  Her shop is full of designer fabrics.  It is beautiful!

If you are interested in any of these fabrics contact me for details.