Selecting the necessary wools, silks, &c. is technically called, sorting a pattern. To sort a pattern well, it is requisite to consider the capabilities of the various materials. Wools and silks, silks in flox, and twisted,—though dipped in the same vat, would be found to vary materially in the shade of color when dyed. Hence it is important to select such materials as will blend well together, and also wear well when worked.
The following colors may be said to harmonize perfectly:—
Blue works well with the warmer tints of drab, stone, and fawn.
Yellow with the richest and darkest shades of drab.
Pink with soft stone, fawn, and grey.
Lilac with the cold green tints of the same colors.
Lilac with some greens.
Maize and salmon with green.
Scarlet with a slate tint.
Blue with rich dark claret brown.