Mood board

Neutral Colours and Patterned Fabrics

Grellow pattern
It has become apparent to me, through my Polyvore mood boards, how much I enjoy mixing patterns.
Okay, this isn’t a big surprise. I’m always attracted to patterned fabrics when shopping. I have to remind myself to buy solid colours so that I have some background pieces.

And oh boy, did I ever buy pattern fabrics at the Knitting and Stitching show!

fabric pile
The patterned stash grows after a trip to the Knitting and Stitching show

I think I’m going to start including stripes and spots as “plains” in my wardrobe. The striped dress in the mood board makes this outfit more exciting for me, but still works well as a background to play other patterns off.

What’s your Neutral Colour?

 Do you have a neutral colour that you base your wardrobe around? I can see how this is such a sensible idea; It would help when selecting shoes, tights, undershirts, everything really.
But I can’t do it. I love greys but I also love the warmth of browns. Especially in the Autumn.
Colour study of warm browns by Kirstie van Noort
Colour study of warm browns by Kirstie van Noort
I don’t really do black as a solid in my wardrobe (scarred by the 80’s again) but I can’t resist the punch of a bright pattern on a black background; folk art style.
barkcloth print
barkcloth print
Russian Textile Print
Russian Textile Print
Stig Larson Print
Stig Larson Print

Ususally I can find some black in my wardrobe to mix-in. Red almost always works too.

I can’t do white or even cream as neutral colours. I’m just too messy and it would make me feel self conscious. So when I need a light neutral, I turn to greige or natural/oatmeal. This is getting more appealing as I get older.

Natural colour mood
Natural background with bright pastels
Painting by Anne-Sophie Tschiegg
Painting by Anne-Sophie Tschiegg

So maybe my personal neutral colours are seasonal: Greys in the winter and spring, overlapping with greige in the spring and summer, moving into brown in the autumn. I can live with that.

I’d love to know what other sewers think about this. Do you have a neutral colour or play around?

2 thoughts on “Neutral Colours and Patterned Fabrics

  1. Black was my urban uniform but as I age am more drawn to charcoals and dark cool chocolate browns. Definitely agree with you about using stripes and dots as neutrals!

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