Pattern Mixing Made Sew Easy

Pattern Mixing Made Sew Easy

 I am here to talk about this scary thing called “Pattern Mixing.”  I love to express myself through clothing, and pattern mixing is such a fun way to do so, but I, like many others, don’t really want to end up looking like I belong at a circus. (Well, maybe I do sometimes… after all I am a K4 teacher…) So, I have a few basic points I take into consideration when I’m deciding on a match, and here they are for you!

Pattern mixing… oh my!

Hey there, ladies. My name is Diana. (You may call me Wonder Woman… I do not mind.) I am a K4 teacher, an Air Force wife, a mother of a crazy 7 year old boy, a JV cheer coach and a youth leader’s wife… I love (live in??) chaos! I have always had an interest in fashion, but I was always too afraid to take the plunge and learn to sew until almost a year ago when a friend showed me how easy it all really was… needless to say I was hooked and thanks to all the beautiful and easy to follow patterns from Ellie and Mac, here I am!! Ok, ok… enough about me. I am here to talk about this scary thing called “Pattern Mixing.”  I love to express myself through clothing, and pattern mixing is such a fun way to do so, but I, like many others, don’t really want to end up looking like I belong at a circus. (Well, maybe I do sometimes… after all I am a K4 teacher…) So, I have a few basic points I take into consideration when I’m deciding on a match, and here they are for you!

Dominating  print- Find a print you love and make it the focal point, work with that print, then bring in some smaller prints to use as accents.  Let the main print be the bride and just add some bridesmaids. If you pick a full floral, go ahead and add some stripes or polka dots. You can always add a smaller floral pattern to the mix, but don’t try to have the patterns fight each other… unless you are confident you can get out of that alive.

Be Curious Sewing Pattern By Ellie and Mac

Girl's Be Curious

Stay in the same color family-  Find a color you like in a print, and tie in another print with the same color in it. I am a sucker for all things black and white, but, alas, we need some color in our lives to brighten our day. If you are stuck, usually most fabric stores will put coordinating colors in the same section. Start there!!

 Pattern Mixing Blog Fabric ChoicesAdd a solid to break up prints- Use a solid color fabric to break up  different patterns. When in doubt, put a solid colored sweater or jacket over the pattern, and cover part of it up, so it’s not so overwhelming.

 Sewing Pattern Women's Going Home Sweater

Women's Going Home Sweater

Play with texture and print size- Leather, lace, chambray, or denim will add texture to an outfit and count as a print.

Women's Sewing Pattern mashing for Ellie and Mac Sewing Patterns

       Womes's Beach Dreaming Top                            Women's True Beauty- skirt

Play with different geometric shapes- You can play with circles, triangles… you get the idea… but always remember to coordinate colors.  

 Girl's PDF Sewing Pattern Be Curious Dress Pattern by Ellie and Mac

                                         Girl's Be Curious

Use accessories- One of the most important parts of making an outfit work is having the right accessories… for real, an accessory can make or break an outfit. Use a belt, some patterned shoes, or a necklace that coordinates..  lots of bracelets, chunky rings... The sky’s the limit when it comes to accessories, but be careful the accessories do not take over the outfit… If you have a loud pattern, don’t fight it with a loud accessory. They should be a background.

 Women's PDF Sewing Pattern Urban Leg Leggings Sewing Pattern for Ellie and Mac Patterns

                       Women's Urban Legs

Use stripes as solids- A black and white stripe goes with pretty much anything… so, if you don’t know where to begin.. here it is! When using colored stripes, remember to keep it in the color family! 

 Women's PDF Sewing Patterns Kimono Pattern and Half Pipe Tee Pattern for Ellie and Mac      Women's Half Pipe Tee                                       Women's Free Spirit Kimono

When in doubt- Polka dots, stripes and leopard prints always look amazing together, and Pinterest is a great friend when searching for good pattern combinations.

Women's PDF Sewing Patterns Dashing Dress Pattern and Discoverer Tee Pattern for Ellie and Mac

           Women's Dashing Dress                         Women's Discoverer Tee

Last but not least- Have fun, do you, be confident, and be happy about what you are wearing. If others can see your confidence, what you are wearing won’t matter!             

  Sewing Patterns for Women  for Ellie and Mac Sewing Patterns

                                         Women's 90s Dress

 Women's Leggings Sewing Pattern by Ellie and Mac Perfect Fit Leggings                                         

                              Women's Urban Legs

 

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