Do you admire fun, elegant, bold or crazy patterned papers, but find yourself at a loss when trying to actually use them on your scrapbook pages? Are you a Pattern Wimp, using just one pattern and going with cardstock for the rest of the page?  Do you waste hours comparing sheet after sheet of patterned paper, trying to find the one combination that works, only to end up frustrated?

Using patterned papers in combination doesn't have to be an intimidating prospect. By learning just a few easy guidelines, you'll be empowered with the expertise to easily select beautiful paper combinations! Yes, you!

These are not hard-and-fast rules: they are guidelines. There can always be exceptions if you see something unusual that "works" for you! But these principles will guide you, give you confidence, and drastically reduce your "fuss time" and frustration when trying to figure out which patterns look good together.

When combining patterns, in general you want to either look for contrasts, or emphasize one design.

CONTRASTING

When using this technique, look to combine a line and a curve. That means stripes go with polka dots. Stripes go with paisley. Stripes go with calico-print. All of those options include a straight line with a curvy/shaped line. As a rule, stripes do NOT go with plaid. Why? They are too similar, but not the same. Remember: curves and lines.

Stripes and dots are guaranteed to work almost every time.

Paper: Die Cuts With a View (dots paper)
Basic Grey (stripe paper)
Scissor Sisters (Kiwi green paper)

This page also combines stripes and dots. Notice how reversible paper was folded back, and in continuing the theme, the plain paper was embellished with round eyelets positioned in a straight line.

Paper: Pebbles Inc. (Baby Boy Circle/Stripe Paper)
Prism (Prismatics Cardstock: White, Sunflowers Light)
Reynold's Aluminum Wrap (Aluminum Foil)
 

On this page, swirl motif paper and fancy script paper are contrasted with a bold plaid.  The more delicate the "curve" paper, the more bold the "line" paper can be.

Paper: Provo Craft
Scissor Sisters (Shabby Red)
Basic Grey (Motifica)
7Gypsies (Requiem)
Scrap-Ease
Paperbilities (Orange Cardstock)
Gold Foil Paper (Punches)
 

This memory verse card demonstrates use of a plaid with dots.  Notice the use of Dottie Ann Magic Mesh and brads in continuing the "dot" theme.

Paper: Prism (Prismatics Cardstock: Island Mist Medium, White)
SEI (Vellum)
KI Memories (Patterned paper)
 

EMPHASIZING

Another approach to using patterns involves selecting one shape and using it over and over in various sizes.  For example, large and small polka dots.  Large and small paisley.  Large and small plaids. Remember: one shape, different sizes.
 

This page emphasizes blocks.  The background features large squares; the mats are smaller squares; and the paint chip offers medium-sized, bold blocks.

Paper: Colorbok (Delphinium Blocks)
Die Cuts With a View (The Stack III)
Navy Blue Cardstock
The Paper Studio (Translucent Vellum)
PM Designs (Paint Stripz: Yellow Mono)
 

This page employs three different small and mini-dot prints.

Paper: Basic Grey (Skate Shoppe, Lucky papers)
The Paper Studio (Vellum)
Die Cuts With a View (Yellow Paper)

The background paper on this page was tricky to call because it combines a bold harlequin section in the upper-right corner with a flowing, yet linear, script.  This provides an automatic contrast as we discussed earlier in this article: the bold, blocky diamond shape with the fancy, curvaceous script (I do not consider this particular script "stripes" and as you can see, even though it is linear in style, clearly it is in contrast with the harlequin section).  When working with a paper like this, choose to emphasize either the bold lines or curve lines.  In this case, I chose another script print as well as a floral motif with a flowing, script title. 

7Gypsies (Requiem paper)
Scissor Sisters (Sepia Script, Tattered Red papers)
Die Cuts With a View (Rose, Floral Print papers)
Prism (Exclusive Papers: Ciliegia Red cardstock)
Prism (Prismatics: White cardstock)
The Paper Studio (Vellum)

Using patterned paper in combination offers great depth in page design.  As you become more experienced with patterns, they will become easier to use.  As a beginner, try using different patterns from the same company: in this way, you will be guaranteed matching colors and can spend your time thinking about pattern instead.  Just remember the two basic guidelines of working with patterns: contrast lines and curves or emphasize same shape.  With these basics "rules" in mind, you'll be on your way to well-coordinated pages full of depth and diversity!

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