Friday, December 18, 2015

Fabric Design and The Spoonflower Handbook + a Giveaway

A couple years ago, I thought I wanted to be a fabric designer. I thought I might have a chance at having my art licensed. I have seen many artists take this route and so I decided I had better figure out how to build a pattern repeat. Most of my surface design is rather random and doesn't repeat. It is printed or painted by hand and when you are designing that kind of fabric, there is no need for motifs to be ordered and repeat exactly. 

If I was going to design fabric, I knew I was going to have to learn how to properly make a pattern repeat. I decided to teach myself fabric design using Adobe Illustrator - part of Adobe's Creative Suite. I have worked in Illustrator for years, but mostly for drawing charts for my knitting patterns and books and schematics. I knew that Illustrator worked with "vectors" which means that any design you draw can be increased in size a million times and the different bits and pieces would not become pixelated. If I were to design in Photoshop or simply scan an illustration, when it was blown up, there would be the chance of pixelation. 

I spent about 3 weeks, off and on, teaching myself how to design repeats in Illustrator. There was a steep learning curve and lots of frustration but I wanted to conquer it. I used this book and this book and this video. And then I uploaded the designs to Spoonflower, the digital fabric printing website. I ordered some 8 x 8" samples of my fabric designs and once I was sure that the fabric was the color I wanted them to be, I got a couple of the designs printed. I used them for projects in my book Crafting a Colorful Home. You can see and order my fabric designs on Spoonflower here. If you do, I will get a commission of 10% of the fabric sale as a credit towards my own fabric purchase. These are some fabrics that I had printed of my own design. I made them into Tea Towels to sell at our recent Open House. 



Like with lots of things I learn, I lost interest. Some things I continue with but some things I just drop. I knew I was not well-connected within the quilting industry - that is an understatement - I know pretty much no one. I also got wind that the fabric designers that do get licensing deals really don't make that much money. You can read a good article by Abby Glassenburg about that here. And so I dropped the idea and moved onto other projects that I felt had better payback and prospects for me. 



This fall a new book was published by STC/Melanie Falick Books called The Spoonflower Handbook. Boy, I wish this book was out when began teaching myself fabric design. It would have been the perfect starting point. I got a review copy of it and thought it would be a great time to share it with all of you. I know that many of you are interested in fabric and that after the holidays are over, you might spend time sewing. Maybe you might like to try your hand at fabric design too. 

The Spoonflower Handbook was written by Becka Rahn, Judi Ketteler, and Spoonflower founder Stephen Fraser. It is meant to be a beginner primer for those new to fabric design. The first section of the book explains what you need to know to design your own fabric. They discuss the different fabrics they print on. Both vector and jpeg files are explained and how and where to use each one. Working with color and the Spoonflower website is also explained. And then there is a section on working with repeats. 





The second part of the book gives thirty different project ideas. These ideas include how to design fabric and then sew projects out of the fabric you would design. They have some cute ideas - scanning found objects, using photo images you already have on your computer, working with type and more. These are my favorite project ideas from the book. 






The Spoonflower Handbook is just the beginning for those of you interested in designing your fabric. You and I might not get rich designing our own fabric, but it is a way to have unique fabric to use in your home or wardrobe. And now Spoonflower also prints wrapping paper and removable wallpaper too. 

Contest is over. The winner is Spejo on Rav. Congrats! Here's what she wrote: 
I love the idea of this book. I had already set aside a drawing one of my daughters made of birch trees. I 'd love to use it for birch tree fabric, which I would use to make a set of napkins and a table runner. It would make a lovely wintery tablescape. I really hope I win the book. Thanks for all your inspiration. 

So here is what I have for one lucky reader.... Their very own copy of The Spoonflower Handbook donated by the fine folks at STC Craft. 

Answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:


If you were to design your very own fabric, what would be the object you would make with it? 


US residents only. Contest ends December 21st at 11:59 p.m. As always, please leave an easy way to get a hold of you - blogger id, email, or Rav id. 

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristin,
I love your idea of tea towels. I've got a couple of very graphic tea towels on the oven door 'bar' just because I love their color and graphics. I also would like to redo the wallpaper in the kitchen and it would be so cool to make my own as every time I look in a wallpaper pattern book, the design is justttttt notttt quite righttttt.
Helen dot mathey-horn at Hotmail dot com :)

Anonymous said...

Hi! I have a chair. A really big comfy chair that I bought when my girls were little so I could sit with both of them and read. But after years of being made into a fort or climbed on by the dog or cats it was a mess. I spent a year covering it in patchworrked fabric. But even now the patches occasionally need to be replaced. I would design my own fabric and use it to cover the chair! I may just do it!

rei said...

Hello Kristin,
This is a great book review and service on your part.
I am a self taught novice and read everything I can get my hands on in order to learn.
I would design big fat curtains, shower curtains, drapes, kitchen curtains, curtains to drape on the wall, etc.
I look forward to the day when I will be designing interiors and a curtain has always been a great start, sorta kinda like a gift wrap.
Thank you for this article and chance to add my comment.
Reina
ms.ocasio@aol.com

Laura T said...

Thanks Kristin! This sounds so interesting and what a great way to get started on the ins and outs of printing fabric. I would love to make some drapes for my family room with fabric that I design. I've been doing some fabric dyeing and silk painting so this would be a great skill to add to my other endeavors. Thanks for the opportunity! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year:-)
Lauratawney7 at gmail dot com
LauraT

Becky said...

Hi Kristin! I would probably make some throw pillows so I would have them out to look at all the time. Thank you for the great giveaway :)
Becky. Rav id is ppanthr88

calicodaisy said...

I just added this book to my amazon wish list the other day! I would love to win a copy. Since Spoonflower got started, I've wanted to design a fabric with tiny lines and vines that incorporate my "calicodaisy handmade" name and use the fabric to line my bags, pockets on aprons, and even edge the backside of some pillow covers. It's always been a one day sort of thing. With this book, maybe I'm close now! -- michele

Unknown said...

I didn't know aboutthis book. Can't wait to get my hands on it one way or the other. I saw a project idea on Martha Stewart blog suggesting a kitchen towel design made from copies of your mother or grandmothers hand-written recipes. Their hand writing was SO distinctive. I'd know my mom's hand anywhere. I'd love to make that fabric and sew those towels for myself, my sisters and brother.
Sara
sarabyron@att.net
SareBearKnits on ravlery

Unknown said...

So many things I'd be inspired to make: a dog coat, and umbrella, a dress for myself, a duvet cover, pillows, table runner, floor cloth, you name it!

Joan and Kevin said...

I would make a quilt to keep me warm.
With the leftover fabric I would make a
bag, so I could show off my fabric! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Recently I am into creating toilletry bags, project bags and totes...plus taking an interesting print , adding embroidery and creating a pillow or popping it in a frame...if only my creativity meshed more closely with the real time I have to create!
Thank you ...and happy holidays to you and your family
Peace and love-
Joanne

Pattyomi said...

The salt water fish in coral reefs have a way with putting colors together in dynamic ways. It would be wonderful to take their cue and design fabrics with their "native costumes" in mind.
Happy holidays in your little slice of heaven in the hills!

anne said...

I would make tote bags.
annejz on rav

Unknown said...

I would love to create my own fabrics to make clothes for the grandchildren. I would use the scraps in quilts.

sandi said...

Hi Kristen -
I've been idly thinking about designing fabric for new bedroom drapes. You know, in my spare time.
Wishing a very happy holiday to you and your tribe.
Sandi

Fleecebumpkin said...

Dear Kristen,

I envision designing my own upholstery fabric to pick up favorite motifs and colors.

Fondly,
Fleecebumpkin

Bonney said...

I would make a pillowcase so I could enjoy the fabric EVERY single day!

Unknown said...

I would design fabric for a big, comfy quilt.

cecile said...

I would make clothes for my children, a dress, a shirt... and also bedding.

Sally said...

I think it would be a blast to design cut-out projects for kids, toys and bibs for charities. Also fun quilt block panels or applique.

Anonymous said...

I have a recipe card that was handwritten by my grandma. It's her famous buttermilk pancake recipe. I'd probably print that and use it for aprons. I have a ton of cousins so I'd have to make about 20 of them!

Anonymous said...

I would definitely make my own fabric design into window curtains. I think of curtains on a window or passage in the home to be an indicator of the mood of the home. Sometimes closed curtains mean privacy or closed thinking and need to just think in solitude. Sometimes have them open lets the flow of the world through to my interior and I think of things as "flowing" through the house. I know that if I liked a design enough to ordain my windows or walls or passageways, I would be inspired to be a wholesome person too. That's what I would create if I did fabric design.

Robin Shader said...

Thanks for all your inspiration. I went to the Spoonflower website just the other day after seeing it on your blog about your open house. Making tea towels, napkins, placemats would be my first project...I'm positive there would be more!
Robin
Rjshader@ gmail.com

Anonymous said...

~ This book sounds fantastic !! * what a great review Kristin.
I would like to create fabric to make pillow shams, child-sized napkins, kitchen towels, and most especially to make my own simple skirts, tunics & aprons. This all from someone who doesn't know how to use her sewing machine, . . . but I have ambitions. I acquired it from a knitting lesson trade.
I would start with hand sewn & embroidered doll size quilts!
Best,
Shell ~


Anonymous said...

p.s. Shell ~
yarnsoup@yahoo.com

MelissaH said...

I'd probably make an apron from my custom fabric. Unless I wanted to get really wild and crazy and make a sundress from it!

SEG said...

Drapes. I know what I want and I can't find it ANYwhere. Sounds crazy with all the fabric choices out there but what I want is not currently available. I don't have three weeks to figure it out so a reference that could streamline the learning curve would be most welcome.

Unknown said...

I would have my silk scarf designs recreated onto different fabrics....the possibilities are endless!!

Joan

djhitchcock@comcast.net

Robin said...

I am starting to play with stamping on fabric again. In fact, I am working on setting up a small corner of my basement for a little studio! I am so excited and instead of seeing the basement as a disaster, it's a place of potential. With the stamped fabric that I want to make, I am planning on making project bags both for knitting and storing small juggling props. I'm also interested in dish towels, napkins, and pillow covers. Next year for Christmas, I'd like to have my niece and nephew over to stamp up some presents for family members.

Robin
minnknitter on Ravelry

Unknown said...

I would do window coverings. The ones for sale retail are boring. I have a sun room that needs color and cheer
Sharon Feeley themadknitter1@hitmail.com

Ana said...

Hello! I would make curtains for my kitchen window. Also, some cute library tote bags for my daughter. I think the possibilites would be endless. I'm thinking lavender sachet bags and a beautiful tablecloth. Thanks for the giveaway! Ana
helno14@yahoo.com

Say It In Color said...

Oh my ...I would make throw pillows for sofa or chair cushion covers sooo I could see it everyday!! My email is sherry@greenpeck.com

Anonymous said...

I would make a pillowcase or throw using drawings my grandson made over the course of his three years. Bookboxer1 at gmail dot com. Thanks Kristin!

Deb said...

Kristin, I would love to design my own fabric with motifs significant to our family history, and make quilts with it. I love fabric, and am currently making Christmas gifts - zippered box bags, makeup bags, and drawstring bags as gift wrap. ( trying to totally get out of the paper gift wrap habit)
I'm a fan of your knitting books, and am hoping to get your new "Colorful Home" book soon! Thank you for sharing so much on your blog!
Debbie
Winter5mom@bellsouth.net

Unfettered Knitter said...

Hi Kristin,

I would quilt with my fabric. Lots of lovely, useful quilts to share with loved ones and possibly sell. I envision beautiful patterns that have a link to the past and are comforting and peaceful and calm. I do intend to design my own fabrics . . . someday. As always, love your blog, and love staying connected to New England now that I have moved to Virginia. Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration to so many.

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of this book. I had already set aside a drawing one of my daughters made of birch trees. I 'd love to use it for birch tree fabric, which I would use to make a set of napkins and a table runner. It would make a lovely wintery tablescape. I really hope I win the book. Thanks for all your inspiration. Spejo on ravelry

Auntie Shan said...

Like my YARN-STASH "fetish", I also have one for FABRIC... Although it's more along the lines of REMNANT-"RESCUE" -- you know, that LAST Meter or so on the bolt of on-sale cotton or linen or wool... Or, perhaps that really great "find" at the thrift stores... However, the "funny" thing is, I haven't actually really "sewn" [other than the odd mend] anything since high school! [40 or so years!] My mother is the family's long-time "pro"-seamstress, as well as my younger sister and her eldest daughter. It's not that I don't know "how" to, I just prefer more "hands-on" stitchery. And, collecting fabric... [and yarn...] ;-D

BUT, if I were to make "something", I'd probably make "pillow" covers for my wool blankets. I've noticed that once my crocheted wool blankets are finished and folded up, they're very springy like a pillow-form. So, I've been thinking that a nice, perhaps matching, pillow cover would be a great way to store them in..?

:-D

Denise P said...

I would love to make a dress from fabric I design.
flgirl1987 AT yahoo DOT com

Laurie Lasala-Tuttle said...

Hi Kristin,

This book looks wonderful! I'd be so excited & proud of myself if I successfully designed a beautiful pattern, so I'd make a skirt or dress to wear! Merry Christmas & Thank you!

Laurie in California
tuttlefamily@cox.net

Sorenk said...

Thanks so much for letting us know about this book!

I would design fabric with an African theme to make colorful skirts or dresses.

I would love to learn the proper way to design fabric!

Brenda said...

I'm a sock knitter, so I would sew some project bags. That is almost all I sew---I like to look inside my knitting bag and see something pretty.

Elizabeth said...

This sounds like a very interesting and helpful resource. If I designed my own fabric I would make an item that would have an emotional attachment to it, maybe a baby blanket or memento for a special life event. I would also like to make something utilitarian that would be used every day so I could enjoy the fabric during my daily routine. Thank you for the post and the giveaway!

jennifer.auroradesign said...

I'm afraid I'm a little boring but I would love to make dishtowels from my photos.

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