The Art of Choosing: Harmonizing Color Schemes

Wednesday, November 23, 2011


The Art of Choosing is a series discussing fabric, color, and the fabric selection process! For past posts, click here.


As I mentioned in previous Art of Choosing posts, I want to spend the next few weeks talking about different color schemes that can be pulled directly from the color wheel! :)

Harmonizing Color Schemes
Today is all about Harmonizing color schemes! Harmonizing color schemes are super simple but can still have a big impact. They're made of two colors that are right next to each other on the color wheel! So, let's explore the 12 harmonizing color schemes in fabrics!

Red, Red-orange
Red, Red-orange by jenib320
Red, Red-orange, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Red, Red-orange by jenib320
Red, Red-orange, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Red + Red-orange!

Red-orange, Orange
Red-orange, Orange by jenib320
Red-orange, Orange, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Red-orange, Orange by jenib320
Red-orange, Orange, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Red-orange + Orange!

Orange, Yellow-orange
Orange, Yellow-orange by jenib320
Orange, Yellow-orange, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Orange, Yellow-orange by jenib320
Orange, Yellow-orange, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Orange + Yellow-orange!

Yellow-orange, Yellow
Yellow-orange, Yellow by jenib320
Yellow-orange, Yellow, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Yellow-orange, Yellow by jenib320
Yellow-orange, Yellow, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Yellow-orange + Yellow!

Yellow, Yellow-green
Yellow, Yellow-green by jenib320
Yellow, Yellow-green, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Yellow, Yellow-green by jenib320
Yellow, Yellow-green, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Yellow + Yellow-green!

Yellow-green, Green
Yellow-green, Green by jenib320
Yellow-green, Green, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Yellow-green, Green by jenib320
Yellow-green, Green, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Yellow-green + Green!

Green, Blue-green
Green, Blue-green by jenib320
Green, Blue-green, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Green, Blue-green by jenib320
Green, Blue-green, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Green + Blue-green!

Blue-green, Blue
Blue-green, Blue by jenib320
Blue-green, Blue, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Blue-green, Blue by jenib320
Blue-green, Blue, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Blue-green + Blue!

Blue, Blue-purple
Blue, Blue-purple by jenib320
Blue, Blue-purple, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Blue, Blue-purple by jenib320
Blue, Blue-purple, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Blue + Blue-purple!

Blue-purple, Purple
Blue-purple, Purple by jenib320
Blue-purple, Purple, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Blue-purple, Purple by jenib320
Blue-purple, Purple, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Blue-purple + Purple!

Purple, Red-purple
Purple, Red-purple by jenib320
Purple, Red-purple, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Purple, Red-purple by jenib320
Purple, Red-purple, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Purple + Red-purple!

Red-purple, Red
Red-purple, Red by jenib320
Red-purple, Red, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Red-purple, Red by jenib320
Red-purple, Red, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Red-purple + Red!

Now I'd like to share with you a project I made using a Harmonizing color scheme.

Notebook Cover by jenib320
Notebook Cover, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Green + Blue-green: I used this great tutorial to make a simple composition notebook cover! If you look through your stash, you'll find that a lot of fabric designs use harmonizing color schemes, which makes your job easier!

Again, if you'd like to pull some harmonizing fabric stacks of your own, or share your harmonizing color projects, feel free to post in the flickr group! Until next week! :)

Happy Sewing!

Note: I created the color wheel graphics myself, so please don't borrow them without crediting me and linking back! Thanks! :)

15 comments :

  1. Now these colorways talk to me. I just love them, both in sewing and in yarn dyeing.

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  2. I have to agree that it is nice seeing the "color wheel" with actual fabrics. Great job Jeni!

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  3. I'm seeing so much potential for new colour combos I should be using.
    Are these pics taken in your new lightbox?? They're looking fab!

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  4. Wonderful and so informative.Thanks so much.

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  5. Your series on the Art of Choosing is a great lesson for me. I've never really utilized the color wheel and have always had difficulty putting together fabrics. What a difference it makes! You have a great eye for fabric combinations. Thanks!!

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  6. These posts are so helpful! Having the fabric shots really shows how the colours work together. Thanks again!

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  7. I am learning so much from this series, Jeni. Before I start my next project I will re-read it all.
    Happy Thanksgiving, di

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  8. I love this series ( and the graphics you created!) and appreciate you putting it together; I am sure you have slot of time invested in it. Hope you enjoy a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  9. Your Art of Choosing is fantastic, Jeni! Thanks a lot!

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  10. You are a rock star ... thank you so much for all this great information. I can't imagine how long it takes. to write and organize these posts.

    margie

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  11. Newcomer to your blog here and I just love it! Thank you for all the information, lessons and beautiful photos of even more beautiful projects!

    You have me so inspired to try something new and crazy (crazy in my world that is ^^) fabric and colour wise and I'm so happy =D

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  12. Thank you so much for refreshing my memory and teaching me new tricks. I went to two art schools after high school but have been working in the corporate world for a long time and didn't realize how much I've really forgotten.

    Your blog is so refreshing, thank you!

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  13. I'm new to your blog. It really makes a difference to see some fabric choices to display what you mean by each colour wheel selection. Thanks for this.

    I really enjoy your photo streams. They are so colourful and cheerful and chimes such a chord with me. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  14. Thank you for all this wonderful help and info - I'm hopeless at matching colours and prints! x

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  15. I really appreciate this series! I definitely plan to come back for reference in the future.

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