Perfecting the Art of Print Mixing
Mixed prints – within an outfit or within a single garment – are showing up a lot a we start to thing about Spring wardrobes. But how can you adopt the trend without looking like a clown? Here are some tips …
Get some great inspiration online. I find SoftSurroundings.com a great source for ready-to-wear examples. Cabionline.com pushes the envelope with their “everything goes with everything” approach, making it a good exercise in figuring out where you draw the line. And if you sew – go RIGHT NOW to the Mixing Prints Contest on PatternReview.com so see how nearly 90 of your fellow sewists rose to that challenge.
Need some guidelines for your own combinations? Look for both connection and contrast within your pairings:
From Soft Surroundings, the Paramour top connects the color and the plaid pattern while contrasting the scale. In the Hermosa, the more subtly patterned (contrast) parts of the garment connect to the colors from the main print.
From a past-season Cabi collection, the plaid jacket contrasts with the curved shapes of the print while connecting to its colors.
I sewed this dress (Leisl&Co – Belgravia) using specific strips cut from a crosswise stripe fabric to trim the main floral print, connecting the colors (and emphasizing the cool element) while contrasting the shapes and scale.
This jean jacket (StyleArc – Stacie) is actually only two fabrics, but the woven pattern shows up quite differently on the front and back sides to give the look of four. All the patterns connect the black/silver color scheme while contrasting the floral and geometric motifs.
Now head over to Pattern Review for lots more print mix inspiration.
Happy New Year, Nancy!
So happy you’re back! Thanks for the pattern mix tutorials. Borderline petite girls often shy away, but you’ve proven we should give it a try.
Thanks for the inspiration,
Trish
The Belgravia dress is my favorite silhouette on you so far, and the color is perfect for you. Thank you for your blog; I always love your posts.
I love reading your wonderful emails, and I have missed you!
Fun post, Nancy! I’ve really gotten into pattern mixing in the last year or two, remembering that some of the most fun sewing I ever did was when I worked for Liberty of London in the early ’80s and we did a lot of print mixing. I’ve found good inspiration on Anthropologie, particularly with its Maeve brand. Last year I made a “collage” button-up, and I now I have another collection of prints to make another one this spring.
Mixing Liberty prunts fall just this side of Heaven on Earth – lucky you! Would love to see pics of your reent collage shirt and the collection yoy’ve accumulated for the upcoming one.