Page:A complete course in dressmaking, (Vol. 1, Introduction) (IA completecoursein01cono).pdf/74

 green, electric blue, etc. A child or a savage revels in violent and garish colors, while refined people instinctively choose the subdued tones. Large amounts of violently contrasting color are never beautiful.

It is well to remember that reds and yellows are affected more by artificial light than the violet and blue shades. Often, red or yellow will seem to change its shade under an electric or gas light.

Here are a few examples of the applications of the different rules:

1st: You know that blue and scarlet are complementary colors.

The correct combining of these two shades might be expressed in a dark navy blue serge or twill dress. Suppose the dress had a deep V opening in the front, narrow revers, and a small collar. If the revers and collar were piped with a very narrow strip of scarlet (not more than a cord) and then a sheer batiste or net over-collar and vest added, so far as the color was concerned, the dress would be perfect.

However, if instead of the piping you used a broad band of red goods, the effect would be garish. It is never wise to use complementary colors both in their most brilliant shades unless they combine to form the smallest motif on the dress, as bright blue and red interwoven with dark blue embroidery on a dark blue dress.