Quilts, dresses, and other sewing projects are a wonderful gift to pass on to a special person.
While a lot of work goes into cutting, stitching, and finishing a project, one of the most
important parts of sewing is choosing the right fabric for the design. Without the right fabric,
a project will look dull and uninspired, which is the opposite effect of what people want.
Finding the perfect printed fabric for a project may seem difficult, but the process can be
made a lot easier by simply considering the following things when shopping.
Consider the Overall Color
Every sewing project is going to have a color scheme, which means that it will have a few
colors that are used overwhelming throughout the design. Using one of these colors to bind
and finish the project, such as clothing, or as a main part of the top of the quilt is a great way
to tie the entire piece together. The important thing to remember is that by opting for a
main color, the project will look much more cohesive.
This is why using a gorgeous printed chiffon is so important. The right colors on the fabric
will help tie the entire piece together, creating a look that is gorgeous and professional.
Using too many colors can make any sewing project look scattered and unprofessional.
Look for a Repeating Pattern
Repeating patterns are another great way to tie a project together without a lot of work.
Some fabrics, such as handblock fabric, tend to have a lot of great repeating patterns to
choose from, making it easier to choose the right option for a fabric. The pattern needs to be
engaging and interesting without being so busy that it is difficult to look at.
One of the great things about patterns is that they can be used to add movement and feeling
to a project without a lot of work. This is why the pattern has such a huge bearing on the
overall piece, as it can greatly affect how it feels and if it feels slow and relaxed or busy and
fast. Choosing a pattern can be difficult, but it is incredibly important to the overall piece.
Look at the Secondary Colors
In addition to considering the primary colors in a piece of fabric, it’s important to also
consider any secondary colors that exist. These are not going to be the main focus of the
fabric, but will allow the primary colors to really pop. The great thing about secondary colors
is that they can be used to help set the fabric apart from other final projects by using
embellishments.
Adding ribbons, beads, buttons, and yarn to fabric in the color of the secondary color of the
fabric really brings those colors to the forefront of the piece. That’s why it’s so important to
look for a fabric, such as printed georgette or kalamkari, which has a number of secondary
colors to choose from. As long as they are varied, interesting, and bright, they can be used to
add pops of color to the project.
Think About Scale
The scale of a pattern is just as important as what the pattern is, as well as the colors of the
piece of fabric. Smaller patterns that repeat over and over will feel much busier than fabric
that has large patterns on. Additionally, if the final project is going to be very small, then
using large patterns will look out of place. The opposite is true, as well.
Using a gorgeous ajrakh fabric or printed rayon with the right size pattern is important.
Choosing a pattern that is the right size will ensure that it doesn’t look out of place and that
the final piece has a good sense of size and form.
Touch the Fabric
Finally, it’s important to consider the feel of the fabric and how the final project will be used.
Some sewing projects, such as quilts, will do much better with cotton and other similar
weight fabrics. Clothing, however, can be made out of more options, depending on the
desired feel of the final piece.
Printed silk is a great choice for clothing and other lighter projects, as it feels great to the
touch, is cooling, and is incredibly comfortable. Choosing the right feel and weight of a fabric
is key to creating a final piece that looks and feels amazing and will last for a long time.
With so many incredible printed fabrics available on the market, it’s important to be very
careful when choosing the right one for a certain use. Doing so will ensure that the final
