How To Create A Seamless Pattern Repeat Workshop

Last month I was invited to host a repeat pattern design workshop with Spoonflower at the gorgeous fabric store Sew Over It in London founded by the lovely Lisa Comfort.

I teach regular workshops and love to share my skills to inspire more creativity. I always start my print design process with a drawing and from there turn my drawings into repeat patterns to create a finished surface pattern design. I was joined by eight lovely ladies who were keen to learn a bit more about pattern design, drawing and repeat pattern making.

Almost everyone will have owned a printed garment, piece of fabric, scarf among others in their lifetimes as it’s one of the oldest and more traditional fabric printing techniques so it was great to be able to show the group the differences in the types of patterns designs across the Sew Over It fabric collections in store. There were simpler block pattern repeats where shapes are repeated in a regimented fashion as well as more organic all over pattern designs. The focus of today’s class was the latter an all over print design and how to create one from scratch.

      

I started by demonstrating the repeat pattern making technique using some very simple drawings using textured pencils, pens and crayons to create interesting marks onto paper. They were all surprised at how simple the technique actually is and so I set them off with the challenge to create their own collection of repeat pattern designs by the end of the class.

We had a variety of art materials to work with from pencils and pens to watercolours and crayons so the breadth of mark making was lovely. The class were inspired by their favourite things, nature and the Spoonflower catalogue. It was wonderful to see their designs take shape as they grew in confidence throughout the session. Lisa Comfort herself even popped in to say hi and see how everyone was getting on.

It was so lovely to meet such a great group of ladies and be able to inspire and encourage their creativity. They all left with a brightly coloured bundle of pattern designs that they were ready to scan and upload to Spoonflower to turn into future projects. I can’t wait to see what they do with them!

To find out more about creating print designs for fabric check out my book How To Print Fabric for simple tips and techniques to start printmaking at home.

Zeena X

PS. You can make my jumpsuit, find the fabric over on Spoonflower here and the free in the folds pattern here.

How to Print your own Fabric with Spoonflower

It's been a while since i've sewn anything for myself, i'm always sewing for clients or friends so there was no better excuse than the Spoonflower Spring round up. I was honoured to be asked to be a part of. I also have to admit as a screen printer and hand print addict it was my first EVER Spoonflower order (GASP!). So I was very keen to see the difference between my hand printed fabrics and their digitally printed ones.

If you've never heard of Spoonflower they are a platform from which you can create print on demand fabric, wallpaper, gift wrap, home decor and printed patterns. You simply upload a pattern of your choice or choose from one of their many and off you go. As a print designer I of course had to design my own print despite being very tempted by the incredible selection they offer. Inspired by my love of traditional mark making I went for a simple all over brush marks print i'd designed a number of years ago. 

I seem to be drawn to yellows and citrines 💛at the moment so went for that colour way right away plus it being a Spring round up it was the perfect palette. I also worked it up in navy because you just can't go wrong with navy. FACT.  

If you're wondering how to turn a drawing into a repeat pattern that you can then print on demand like this one there's a great tutorial here i'd really recommend. It's much easier than it looks too.

Spoonflower have so many lovely fabrics to choose from it can seem an impossible task to know which to go for. I'd recommend ordering a sample pack so you can check out the look and feel of their selection before you buy. The print colour density also varies acorss the different types of fabric so it you have a particular look in mind then do get the samples. I did this and went for the linen cotton canvas ultra a gorgeous natural fabric with a bit of weight and nice texture. When it arrived I found it to be really lovely when printed and it washed well too. I love the more natural fabrics personally but have to say they have a great selection of velvets and more too that i'd love to try in the future.

It took me forever to decide what to make with my fabric when it arrived (I couldn't get over how good it looked and that it hadn't turned out to be a total disaster). I've always been more drawn to interiors projects like cushion making so I decided to mix it up and go for some dressmaking instead. I have been in love with independent sewing brand In The Folds patterns for a long time now and haven't had an excuse to make one until now. Even better this pattern is FREE over on Peppermint magazine. It's an advanced beginner so perfect for my rusty sewing skills.

It was a dream to sew, super simple and straight forward instructions meant I had it done in no time at all. I will say the pattern comes up on the bigger side so you might want to size down unless you like the oversized look. It's also quite long as it's designed for someone much taller than me so I ended up being lazy and rolling up the bottoms which looks great and saved me turning up the hems (total cheat!) but if you'd rather a cleaner finish then i'd suggest shortening on the pattern. 

As I was time poor (as usual) I also skipped adding any pockets which I totally regret as I love pockets in clothing, they're so handy. I mean where do you put your phone? So i'll be doing some unpicking this weekend and adding them in. 

So here it is my finished jumpsuit with some sunshine to go with it, I hope you like it. Thank you Spoonflower for sending me this dreamy fabric, it's already had lots of lovely comments on it's first wear today. If you'd like to order some of my brush marks print for a sewing project or have a go at uploading your own design you can do here.

Happy making!

Zeena X