9 Tips for Choosing Fabric Combinations

Add some texture

Let’s talk about the actual fabric for a second. Mixing textures is a great way to add really subtle interest to your decor. If you look closely at these pillows, you can see the amazing texture of the linen–it’s so subtle, but it’s a nice dichotomy when put next to the leather couch. (I also added invisible zippers so they’re easy to wash.)

Throw Pillow Fabrics6

Keep the background and tones similar

You also have to make sure the fabric backgrounds aren’t competing. You don’t want one with a white background and another with ivory or beige. It just won’t look cohesive. I chose fabrics that all have white backgrounds, but you could also have a colored background as long as it’s intentional (so a same yellow or aqua background could have worked, but not ivory).

Make sure you love it

You have to live with it, so make sure you want to look at it all the time. If you do, you’re set! Choosing fabric combinations is a personal thing, and with a few tips to help you mix your style with design principles, you’ll be sure to find a winning combination.

These are simple and practical Tips for Choosing Fabric Combinations

What tips do you have to add for choosing fabric combinations? What works for you? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!

 

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14 responses to “9 Tips for Choosing Fabric Combinations”

  1. Lauren English Avatar

    Great tips! I especially love the ideas of mixing scale and texture. Fun textures on pillows are perfect for snuggling up to! 🙂

    1. Lisa Avatar

      Thanks Lauren! I totally agree!

  2. Kristie Avatar
    Kristie

    My sister in law just re-did her living room pillows and valances. And she spent just over $100. This would be an awesome give away to win. I was so jealous of how fresh her house was looking!

    1. Lisa Avatar

      It’s amazing what a few yards of fabric can do for updating a space. Good luck!

  3. Janie Avatar
    Janie

    Love your colors. Thank you for the tips. I have difficulty figuring color combinations.

  4. Heidi Avatar

    Wow! I had no idea Minted had fabric! Now I want even MORE things from there haha! They have such a fabulous selection of fun stuff that you can’t find anywhere else. Those pillows are awesome, Lisa!

  5. Catherine Avatar

    I didn’t know Minted sells fabric! Too cool.
    I was just making some onesies last night and had a heckuva time pairing fabrics, but I don’t really have a process. It’s interesting to read about yours.

    1. Lisa Avatar

      I stumbled on it, and was instantly hooked. It’s a really high quality fabric too, which I was excited about. I think we all have some sort of process but we don’t necessarily stop to define what that process is. It was revealing to start picking apart what I do since I do it mostly subconsciously.

  6. Veronica Marks Avatar

    I think my biggest struggle with choosing prints comes from not knowing which scales to put together. I love the basketweave you put with the others, and it really makes them all work together well! I’ll have to try a few different things and see what I can come up with. Thanks for a great article!

    1. Lisa Avatar

      Thanks Veronica! Yes, scaling is important but not always easy to get right. Good luck!

      1. Veronica Marks Avatar
        Veronica Marks

        Thank you! Hopefully I can get my patterns to look as good as yours!

  7. Ashley Avatar
    Ashley

    I have recently started reteaching myself to sew and have been able to complete one project. I had noticed when facing all those rows of fabric it can be a bit intimidating, especially when i decided to take on a few window projects. So far i have the plans but the scaling seemed so foreign to me. Im glad i found your 9 Tips For Choosing Fabric Combinations before making any purchases. Next time I go shopping I will feel more confident that my home wont look like a circus tent. LOL 🙂 Thank you for the awesome tips!

    1. Lisa Avatar

      I’m so glad I was able to help you feel more confident in choosing! Good luck, and happy sewing!

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I’m Lisa

Welcome to Mabey She Made It, my cozy corner dedicated to all things homemade and delightful. One of the greatest things I learned while growing up was to know what “home” felt like. Creating feels like home to me, and I’m at home when an idea translates into something beautiful or functional.

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