Pantone Colors for Spring Coloring

I have been matching the Pantone colors with my best colors. I have light red hair, brown eyes and light-to-medium skin color. In the American Color Me Beautiful system, I am a spring; however, in the European version I am a warm/soft. My color varies slightly based on how recently I have dyed my hair, so I wear the softer colors as the color washes out.

I am not a color expert, but I thought the information might be useful to others with my coloring. I tried to match the colors to the Color Me Beautiful books, but I was not able to match some of the colors exactly, but it is close enough that I think the information will be helpful for those of you who order fabric online.

Whites to Beige
11-0601 soft white
11-0606 cream
13-0000 stone
15-1305 taupe
12-0807 shell
11-0104 buttermilk
Brown
15-1309 natural beige
18-1326 rose brown
17-1045 cocoa
19-0815 chocolate
16-1432 oatmeal
19-1034 bronze
16-1326 camel
17-1134 golden brown
19-1020 coffee brown
19-1430 mahogany
18-1449 rust
Gray
17-0000 pewter
19-0405 charcoal
Yellow
11-0616 primrose
13-0850 daffodil
15-0751 mustard
12-0736 light gold
Green
16-0435 lime
17-0610 sage
18-0312 moss
17-0613 gray-green
15-6316 verbena
16-5907 jade
18-6011 spruce
18-0420 olive
18-6024 evergreen
14-0223 yellow-green
150531 light moss
Blue-Green
16-5825 emerald-turquoise
17-5029 turquoise
19-4922 teal
12-4705 mint
16-4529 aqua
Blue
16-3919 sky blue
18-3930 light periwinkle
18-3918 charcoal blue
19-4044 sapphire
19-4118 light navy
Purple
16-3728 purple
18-3211 soft-violet
19-2312 eggplant
Red/Orange
15-2216 blush pink
19-1540 claret
19-1663 geranium
16-1532 coral
18-1661 true red
18-1550 bittersweet
17-1564 orange-red
16-1350 tangerine
16-1441 terracotta
14-1139 amber
14-1316 apricot
16-1539 salmon pink
18-1442 tomato red
16-1329 salmon
16-1454 pumpkin
12-0811 light peach
14-1220 peach

Disappointed

Edited July 13, 2009

I wanted to let everyone know that I heard from Ann at Gorgeous Fabrics about my post. She generously resolved this issue, and explained the cost of the swatches to me. In case anyone else has misunderstood, the cost of the swatch covers the shipping. I also wanted to make clear that I love the knit prints that I received.

Although the knits were too sheer for the dresses I wanted to make, they are a great weight for chemo hats, so I think it will be put to that purpose. The cardigan Sewingsue suggested Simplicity 2603 is a great idea if anyone else has sheer knit.


I received my fabric orders from Gorgeous Fabrics and Fabric.com today. I am very disappointed with some of the fabrics I received from Gorgeous Fabrics. They did not live up to the descriptions given on the web site.

This is the description given of the fabric shown on the left.

Oh. My. Goodness! Can I tell you how much I adore this gorgeous jersey? It's lightweight, but not see-through, and it is perfect for tops, dresses or loungewear (mmm, jammies)! It will work up beautifully into a dress with New Look 6823. Or make a great top using Onion Empire Top. You'll look like a goddess!

Not see-through? Dress-weight? I would not even wear this for a nightgown. I can see the color of my skin through this fabric.

This is the description of the fabric on the right.

I love this jersey! It's a fantastic shade that will work perfectly for fall! It will work up beautifully into a dress with New Look 6823. Or make a great wardrobe with Vogue 8462. Perfect!

I would not make this fabric into a dress, but a wardrobe! No way you would see me in see-through pants.

I am telling you this because Gorgeous Fabrics does not accept returns. I know that many of you have had great experiences with Gorgeous Fabrics, but I will not order from them again unless I get a swatch. The descriptions are not accurate.

On the other hand, the fabric I received from Fabric.com was exactly as described, half the price, has free shipping and returns.

Does anyone have any ideas on what to do with this sheer fabric? Both are knit and I have 4 yards of each.

Window Shopping

I went to a high-end mall last night. The anchor stores are Nordstoms and Neiman Marcus. First I have to say I love trying on clothes at expensive stores. I wear clothes two sizes smaller than at the chain stores. Great for the ego! I have the same fit issues no matter what the cost, but it would bother me more to spend $200 for a dress and still have to remake it. Sorry there are no pictures...cameras were not welcomed.

I am never going to follow trends again. I haven't felt good in my clothes since the 1960's. Now that the retro styles are back, suddenly I look good in clothes again, in spite of the fact that I weight 100 pounds more than I did in the 60's. I feel like I wasted half my life in ugly clothes. Never again!

I went to the mall to look at construction and fabric used. I felt a silk/wool for the first time. It will be great for Florida winters. I also saw a beautiful silk jersey print on a DVF wrap dress. The front edge of the wrap dress was finished with self-fabric binding. I was surprised how many of the sundresses were lined with batiste.....and all the sundresses were lined. All the unlined jackets had Hong Kong finishes, and the lined jackets had piping in the seam between the facing and lining. Seams were pressed open and serge finished on dresses and blouses. Invisible zippers were used on everything. They basicly just used good construction techniques with really great fabric.

I was amazed at the difference good fabric made in the way a garment looks on the body. Things that I thought I couldn't wear looked great because of the drape of the fabric. I have been very frugal with my clothing for years, but it was not a good plan. I am definitely going to change my fabric buying habits.

Here are some of the changes I am planning to make as a result of this experience.
1. Buy only good fabric. The expense is worth it.
2. Make more things with princess seams.
3. Make a-line and straight skirts.
4. Make things with a fitted waistline.
5. Make a gathered skirt out of voile and move the gathers to the center, sides almost flat.
6. Make things out of a mid-weight linen fabric. It drapes but has enough body to keep things hidden I don't want to show.
7. Marry a rich man so that I have the money to buy all that expensive fabric.