Vibrancy Personified!
It’s not a subject that many of us think about!
Visit any high street store and we all can purchase clothes that fit our shape, and make us feel fantastic.
Yet we rarely notice that the colours (usually ran as a theme throughout clothing stores) have been carefully considered, suggested and ultimately chosen by those ‘in the know‘.
Do we as fashion sewers need to be concerned on these somewhat trivial matters?
Yes! We do.
Fashion, is in part, dictated to by colour. It’s one of the important considerations any designer takes to heart during the creation of a new years line.
These seasonal colours, used by famous fashion designers, subsequently influence buyers of high street clothing lines which inevitably, are then worn by ourselves.
As a fashion sewer, we must source our own fabric, and for those wanting to keep up to date with today’s fashion lines, this means hunting down the ‘in‘ colours.
Not an easy task in some fabric stores!
Pantone Colours
sewing
This is, in NO WAY a history lesson.
The Pantone Colour Matching System is a standardized colour reproduction system. By standardizing the colours, different manufacturers can refer to the Pantone system to make sure colours match.
This colour system is used by most manufacturers, from paint and printers, graphic design to our beloved textiles and fabric. So as I hope you can now see, their colour palettes are of vast importance to us all.
The Colour Of 2012
sewing
It’s official! Tangerine Tango is the Pantone 2012 colour of the year.
So look out for fabrics in this colour in your local fabric store for your spring / summer sewing projects.
It is also a colour that will take us into the autumn / winter season due to its tone and warmth.
Tangerine Tango
So what do you think? Would you wear this colour?
Please let me know by leaving a comment. I’d be really happy to hear your opinion.
Not only have Pantone announced their colour of the year (which no doubt you’ll be seeing on a catwalk near you soon) but their new full colour palette has been released.
So, if Tangerine Tango is a little citric for you, then maybe these other colours might drive your creative side to create more wonderful and exciting sewing projects for 2012.
Have a look and tell me which you like!
The Pantone Colour Palette
Credit: Pantone LLC www.pantone.com
Now I am acutely aware that some of us do not enjoy wearing the bolder colours, or even have the knowledge in how to choose tones correct for our very individual complexions.
Fear not, a great way to introduce colour into fashion sewing is to accessorise.
Experiment with your style and make / wear what’s comfortable for YOU.
Was this article useful? Do let me know!
If you have any questions then please contact me.
You can also follow me on Twitter (@ColleenGLea), Facebook and Google Plus.
Happy fashion sewing
Colleen G Lea
(Read more about Colleen at linkedin)
I actually love the Tangerine Tango and the Solar Power, and I think I just bought some material in the Tangerine Tango color. The think is now that I have it, what should I make out of it? So I guess in theory I love the colors!
Hi Janel,
Maybe you should join one of my sew-alongs!!
Thanks for the comment.
I am doing the skirt, but the sale for the pattern starts on March 4, so I’ll be doing a bit of catch up. It will be good though.
Hi Janel,
Don’t forget to upload photo’s of the finished skirt to Sewingista Gallery when your done. Look forward to seeing it.
It was time when I wore bright orange and creaming green… I do like the colors on the chart, starting with Margarita down.
Hi Iryna,
They are nice, cheerful and bright colours. Bring on the summer!