My Fashionable Life

I prefer the blue. Lovely combination with the 'porridge'.

I LOVE the robin's egg blue with the porridge! It seems so...English to me! The beige just seems so boring. Keep up the good work--I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project. You really do amazing work, you know! :)

I would like the pink better, though I would have to see it with pink or neutral buttons to be 100% sure.

I think it would look more sophisticated.

Oh, I thought it was pink! How about a light pink then? It would look good with light pink or neutral buttons.

Gosh, with brown slacks...

Excuse me, gotta go shop...

I like the bit of color from the blue. Hope you feel better!

I can see what you mean about the acrylic texture, but I think the beautiful blue/porridge contrast is too lovely to lose.

I suppose the ideal thing would be some sky blue ruflette, but if they made that you wouldn't need to ask us... You could always trip over to V V Rouleaux for an afternoon: if they don't have the perfect solution, you can at least console yourself that it doesn't exist and be happy with whatever compromise you decide on.

The blue buttons are darling. I'm not sure about the ribbon, though. I can't quite visualize what you're planning to do with it.

Could you dye the tape? I love the texture of it and that is perfect with the texture of the yarn, but the blue color is so perfect as well! You could try dying just a small length and see if it would owrk.

Just to go against the crowd - I prefer the neutral. With neutral buttons. The blue is pretty but just doesn't quite do it for me..

I'm going to go against the flow - I do like the idea of blue with the porridge, but if the texture is wrong you'll not be happy with it. And to my surprise I do prefer the colour of the Rufflette - although yes, you need different buttons - darker or lighter than the porridge (I personally don't think it needs to match the tape exactly, although if it doesn't it needs to look intentional), but the same hue.

I'm wittering - and probably not helping at all! You have impeccable taste - go with what you think will work!

I prefer the blue too, but I like the idea that was suggested of dying the tape a blue color. I'm a fan of grosgrain, but I think it's more preppy and modern than classic and antique...

(Arrghh - I was posting at the same time as Kerrie - now I look like a sheep, and I was so pleased to be striking out on my own ;-) )

I like the blue better, but I can see your point with the ribbon. I think if you were to give the ribbon a more polished look with some fancy stitch-edge it might match the look of the luxurious sweater. Good luck, I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I'm kind of torn, here. I like the blue, but I think I prefer the neutral, given where the braces are going to go....if I'm looking at the sketch correctly.

the wee blue button is wonderful, i like it with the oatmeal wool.

however, i think a tape which is closer (darker) to the color of the sweater would be better. all that contrasting ribbon might look a bit 'military' by the time it is running up, down and sideways on the sweater.

the shape of the garment is so elegant for something 'found' downstairs.

i like neutral with neutral buttons. it looks better to me.

i like the blue, it's lovely and sweet. the neutral, i think, is too subtle.

I vote for the Robin's egg. Its my favorite color combo! I'm having a wee bit of difficulty envisioning the exact placement of the ribbon, but I think I get it. Would the ribbon be tacked down along the length of the sweater, or just fixed to the pocket and buttoned at the shoulder?

Hmmm....I'm partial to the blue - it's a bit edgier than the neutral (which would also look lovely). I envision it paired with a cotton skirt in the same blue colour.

i think the blue and porridge are darling! but i'm sure you're right about the texture of grosgrain. perhaps you could use blue thread to sew the rufflette in place, or to embroider some simple design onto it? then you could use the blue buttons too.

I'm a little scared to suggest this, but would I-cord be a consideration?

I definitely prefer the natural Rufflette. I love your description of the yarn as 'porridge' - perfect. Having established that it's porridge, then all you need is a dash of cream - ta da! The natural. I think then you would need buttons to match, or buttons to match the oatmeal porridge colour. The natural colour also goes well with the of the original idea, a 'below stairs' frugal simplicity.

Looking at the sketch again, I see the connection to Christopher Robin and the blue ribbon and buttons. Beautiful colour combination, I love it and prefer it to the "cream" one. But a cotton tape would definitely be preferable. I am not helping, am I???

blue buttons definitely. would you be able to find the second ribbon in a similar blue?

if not then some porridge buttons with a natural color ribon

I love the blue against the oatmeal but think the blue ribbon would be too much (even though I love the colour). I think I agree with Derya I would use the rufflette but with the blue buttons. But a fact-finding mission to VV Rouleaux is always a worthwhile exercise.

Oh my,I do love the blue! Have you considered using a strip of blue ultra-suede instead of the ribbon? I think the look of suede would be wonderful against the oatmeal and ultra-suede is easy keep clean.

I love the texture of the rufflette tape and the delicately pinky-beige color. The blue is a little to ickle to me.

I love the blue and porridge combo. Would a velvet ribbon be wrong for this? For some reason, I can really envision that.

I love the blue! and I think the difference in the textures is nice. I really love it.

blue... must be the blue- the cream is just flaccid and washed out without adding anything.
Plus I love Christopher Robin :)

BLUE, definately BLUE and as for the ribbon I would use blue herringbone rugby tape. I don't know if it is called that in the UK but it is the tape used for the neck pieces in rugby jumpers. I think it is cotton and it has a natural look to it so it would be perfect, if of course you could get it in that beautiful blue, otherwise dye it to suit.

My vote is in for blue - looks awesome!

Both are lovely, but I really think the blue gives it that extra dash of something. Like blueberries with porridge. ;)

I vote blue too especially now that you've made the Chrstopher Robbin conection. The rufflette seems unfinished to me.

Can't wait to see the finished project!

I love the contrast of the blue, but the texture of the Rufflette - It will be a lovely sweater.

I think the consensus is blue color and natural texture being ideal, which is what you wanted. I agree, just wanted to add that I think the blue is more important than the texture...look at that button! So perfect. The sweater looks great!

i prefer the blue in colour but the neutral in texture...yes i know, i'm not helping the situation!

I love the contrast of the blue with the blue buttons, the beige just looks too "safe". I don't the the composition detracts from the rustic texture of the jo sharp

Well, I'm coming out of lurkdom to suggest twill tape. It does depend on how you would be stitching it to the sweater though. One idea would be a neutral or natural twill, with a robin's egg blue running stitch the length, to tie in with the blue button. And, of course you could always dye the tape. It is a very lovely sweater design. Can't wait to see the finished product!

I'm voting the blue ribbon, looks SO Enid Blyton
:-)
Blessings
norbu

I'm voting for the blue. It's adorable!

I agree with Derya. I think blue ribbon would be too much contrast, but a natural color ribbon with blue buttons and blue detail on the ribbon would be delightful. Now it has me thinking on a project...

Of course, whatever you do always turns out amazing!
How is your shoulder?

I favor the color of the first, but the texture of the second. Not much help, eh?

I like the blue, but the ribbon seems to shiny. Maybe a tape like the cream color, but in blue, i.e. a flat light blue? If you do go with the cream (which I also like and think it compliments the sweater well) I think it probably would have to be similar colored buttons or maybe mother of pearl. Of course, just suggestions. Can't wait to see the finished product!

I have just seen your blog today (from Kay and Ann) and its syooper. I like the blue button and suggest you could use the beige tape pleated. I think it might give a subtle texture with the shadows picking up the darker flecks in the yarn. You could stitch the pleats down with little bullion knots in the blue, for some interest. Alternatively, if you used all blue you would have a boy's blazer look.

I like the blue, but I think I prefer the natural. I think the blue would just end up being distracting from the overall design. But I adore the blue buttons either way.

I like the Englishness of the blue - but what does it look like layered? The beige looks slightly narrower than the blue... I only thought of this, my second thought was - a beige band with a blue striped edge would be perfect. Otherwise I feel you need the colour of the blue to just add a little lift and a touch of unexpectdness to the porridge. (I'm going to have to buy the pattern from you now! I feel totally invested in this design!)

Also, I'm sorry, but the rufflette just looks like what it is, curtain tape! but if you do go with the beige - use darker brown buttons

The blue is such a lovely, gentle color and looks very nice on the porridge-colour. That would be my choice.

If neither one of those ribbons is just right, maybe you have to keep looking until you find a tape/ribbon that you love. Is there a store in London that sells Mokuba ribbon? They have a great selection of grosgrain ribbons which would be sturdy and have a pleasing texture.

It might be time for silk grosgrain. Maybe at Liberty. They do have that don't they? I wouldn't know, I've not been. I do like the contrast of the blue, both the stablizer and the buttons. But if I were to wear it, I would prefer tone on tone.
I find this part is the toughest part of design. If you have the time, sleep on it and your answer will come.

I prefer the neutral one... if you use it, change the buttons.
The blue one is also nice, but I prefer the neutral.

Didn't read all the comments so I don't know if someone else suggested this, but could you dye the neutral Rufflette to match the buttons?

I like the neutral ribbon. It makes it all about texture. Reminds me of 1920s and 30s white interiors. One neutral colour, loads of different textures.

I love so many of your designs and colors that you choose. Neutral and ribbon is just so simple but classy. I think I have an addiction to beautiful silky satiny type ribbons. It is refreshing everytime I visit your blog.

Blue ribbon with the Jo Sharp yarn, be daring!