I’m often asked how I make decisions when mixing fabrics. My joke is that I throw it all up in the air and see where it lands. In truth, I tend to labor over what I’ll put together, but I am also usually very brave in my choices. And sometimes, just when I think what I’ve done will never pull together—it does.
I don’t have any real rules about mixing, and maybe that’s why it does work out. However, I can tell you a couple of things that go through my head as I design. For starters, I think that odd pieces (the ones you’d never guess belonged together) make a design interesting. But in using those odd pieces, I do make sure they are repeated somewhere within the design. For example, the Tree of Dreams Wallhanging project (page 70) has some blue and purple velvet motifs in it. At first I wasn’t so sure if that would work, but I repeated those pieces at the top and bottom of the tree, which I think pulled the design together.
Another thing that I’m sure to do in my designs is mix the scale of fabric patterns. You’ll see in the Flowering Container Garden Pillow (page 65) that there is a large variety of patterns in differing scales. As I layered the pieces, if I noticed a particular section was becoming heavy in a certain color or scale, I added a varying piece.
Additionally, I really do try to step out of the box when I design. Rather than stick with fabrics that are safe and easy to put together, I tend to think I should be a little more courageous about my choices. I try to mix textures and add in unusual items—found buttons, vintage brooches, scraps of ribbon and lace. And I try to do this without fear. My motto: Thank goodness for the inventor of the seam ripper. What can be sewn can always be unsewn.
So have fun, get creative, and step out of that sewing box.
Keeping It Real
sewing basics
• Yardage listed under Materials is based on 44"/45”-wide fabric.
• Sew all seams with right sides facing, using a ¼” seam allowance, unless otherwise indicated. Backstitch at the beginning and end of all seams except darts.
• Press each seam after sewing to set it, then press it to one side.
• Keep the enclosed tear-out patterns intact. Trace onto new paper before you cut them out.