How I Pick Fabric for My Sewing Projects

When it comes to a sewing project, the most important part to me is the fabric I choose to make it with. This to me is where the fun begins. Picking the fabric and then turning it into a masterpiece. Some people like to use a single fabric collection – which is fine, but I prefer a more eclectic or scrappy look. This is achieved by using a variety of prints from lots of different fabric collections and designers. Truth be told, I rarely ever buy collections, but rather certain prints that appeal to me. Sometimes this means I only like one print from an entire collection. Yes, you read that right!

There are no right or wrong ways to pick fabric for your project.  My number one rule is to use fabric that you love, not stuff that is trending, from the most popular designers, or new.

To some, however, the thought of combining a whole bunch of fabric together from different designers can be quite overwhelming, doesn’t come easy, and a little extra guidance is needed. When I choose prints for my projects, whether it be from my scrap basket or straight from my stash, I like to use a good mix of different prints that are from the following categories:

You can also use solids, which are one uniform colour. I tend to use these for my linings or more so in quilting, not as much in my smaller patchwork projects.

If I include as many options as possible from the list above, I find my project has lots of variety and interest. Don’t be afraid to be completely random in your choices either. Your fabric does not have to have a theme, or you are going to find it very limiting.

If my prints are completely random, I like to try and stick to a bit of a colour scheme sometimes, to avoid getting too overwhelmed. So, for this one below (an Itty Bitty Needlebook in the works), I was trying to pick prints from the above categories that were either purple, blue, orange, or pink.

Choosing just a few colours to stick too meant that there was a certain cohesiveness to the diversity of my choices.

So, what do I do if I want to use just one colour? Again, I use the checklist above when I’m picking my fabric. Then when I’m arranging my fabrics together in the project, I try and make sure I have contrasting fabrics next to each other. E.g., light pink next to dark pink, solid print next to low volume, large scale prints next to small scale print, text print next to a floral print and so on. This is what I’ve done for these two Toddler Pocket Bibs one with a blue theme, the other pink.

If all else fails, pick some random fabric you love, make sure the prints contrast well and put them all together. I’ll also note that In the beginning I did feel rather uncomfortable with my choices and like I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. The more you do it however, the less uncomfortable it feels, the better you will get at it, and you will find yourself doing it without too much thought. Hopefully even enjoying the entire process.

If you want a fun project to try out your scrappy fabric selection with, check out my Itty Bitty Needlebook pattern.

If you want to try something a bit different to test out your skills, check out my FREE tutorial on ‘How to Scrappy Piece”.

Happy Fabric picking, Kellie. x

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