Color blocking is a great way to add interest to a simple design. It’s also a fun way to play with color. I’ve always loved the multicolored paint chips at hardware stores and I think just doing a gradient of one color would be lovely.

You can definitely go wild with color blocking and cut out different shapes and sizes. This sweater dress is flush with patterns made by different geometric shapes. It’s easy to go a little wild, and I prefer the more graphic look of sixties dresses. Especially ones that look like Mondrian paintings.

If you try color blocking, think carefully about the placement of colors, the size of the blocks and where they fall on your body. Do you have experience making a color blocked garment? What colors would you choose or what type of garment would you make out of color blocking?

Images: Isabel Marant Dress, Heidi Merrick Dress, Vintage Pattern, VintageKnitting Pattern

Patchwork is often associated with fixing holes or adding a cutesy detail to a garment. That’s why it’s a lovely surprise to see patchwork come into its own as a really beautiful detail. These Erdem dresses play with pattern and color to create a unique fabric design. Think about ways you can make patchwork beautiful like these dresses. These are simple silhouettes and it’s the fabric that really makes them stand out.

The edgy leather dress plays with the different textures of leather to create an interesting effect. You don’t have to use leather to get this look, think about double sided fabrics with different textures such as charmeuse. The shiny and matte sides, while the same color, have two very distinct looks.

This dress has a patchwork look but instead of being actual patchwork it’s a printed pattern. While it’s tricky to find a good print, you can always try your hand at making your own with sites such as Spoonflower.

What do you think? Do you like the patchwork look? How would you incorporate it into your sewing?

Images: Black Leather Dress, Printed Patchwork Dress, Erdem Dress 1, Erdem Dress 2