Turn Your Artwork into Textile Designs that Sell
- a quick guide
Textile designers create artwork and patterns that are ultimately
printed on fabric and used by the fashion, quilting and home
decor industries. We are inspired by observing the patterns all
around us in nature, fashion and everyday life.
Textile design is rooted in one of the oldest forms of artistic
expression known to man - printing, drawing or painting on fabric.
As artists, many of us dream of earning a living creating the
artwork we love. I’m Michelle Fifis, creator of Pattern Observer
and the Textile Design Lab, and I want to help you transform your
artwork into textile designs and make a living doing work you
love.
Step One - Evaluating Your Artwork
Getting started in textile design means looking at your artwork
from a slightly different perspective. A textile design is a work of
art created for fabric rather than paper, clay or canvas. This
means evaluating your work by how it will look as a part of a
dress or home accessory. It means having a vision for your work
printed on hundreds of yards of fabric.
Think about the art you create. Are you ready for your work to be
a part of the supporting cast rather than the star of the artistic
show? People will notice and comment on the beauty of a dress or
a home accessory rather than the quality of your design...and in
world of textile design that’s ok. In fact, that’s our goal.
www.patternobserver.com
Becoming a textile designer means moving beyond your passion
for a single sketch or image to developing a love for the way your
work translates to fabric. It means understanding the production
process and the purpose of your work. It means manipulating
your original artwork until it prints as beautifully on fabric as it
does on paper.
Are you ready for the challenge? What patterns can you observe
in your original artwork? Can you picture these images on fabric?
Step Two - Transforming Your Art into Textile Design
You’ve invested countless hours creating the perfect sketch,
painting or pattern. Selling your artwork as a textile design
means understanding how beautiful pattern layouts are created
and preparing your original artwork for printing.
How can you create a repeating pattern? Start by changing your
original artwork as little as possible. Use it as a foundation and
build from it, adding elements and motifs to compliment the
work and create a beautiful pattern layout. Here are three tips to
help you get started.
Create multiple motifs.
Does your work contain irregular or
hand-drawn motifs? Consider drawing more than one version to
give the print variety. Creating a second or third flower with a
similar look and feel but slightly unique motifs, for example, will
give your print a more detailed look and professional feel.
Flip and rotate motifs.
You can create a repeat by flipping, rotating,
and scaling the main motifs of your print as you duplicate it
www.patternobserver.com
within your layout. This type of repeat also helps you avoid any
unintentional directionality in your print.
Think bigger.
It can be tempting to create a 4” square of artwork
and then use a software like Illustrator’s pattern tool to create
the repeat. Instead, take the time to create a larger pattern
layout. I recommend at least 32cm (12.5”) of artwork as a base for
your pattern. This extra investment will increase the quality of
your textile design.
Step Three - Preparing a Pattern Collection
A pattern collection is simply a set of three to seven patterns
with a consistent color palette, artistic style and trend focus. The
patterns work together and support one another aesthetically
and are often sold as a group.
Why should you create one or more pattern collections? They
simplify the decision making process for buyers, making it easier
for them to purchase your work. Apparel and home decor
manufacturers, for example, use collections to help them
merchandise their products. Consumers are looking for a duvet
cover, sheet set and bed skirt that coordinate but aren’t identical.
That’s the idea behind a collection.
A pattern collection usually has a main print, often referred to as
a “focus print” which is often the boldest in the collection. This
print draws buyers to your work. The supporting patterns in the
collection are known as the “coordinates.” Their artistic style and
color usage matches the focus print and together they tell a
consistent story.
www.patternobserver.com
How can you prepare a pattern collection? Select one of your
original drawings, paintings or designs and turn it into an
exciting focus print that expresses your style and creativity. Now
challenge yourself to create several complimenting patterns as
coordinates for your original design. Remember, the coordinates
should draw from the focus print but not overpower it.
This approach will not only amp up your creativity and allow you
to practice your textile design skills, you’ll end up with a pattern
collection you can use to market your work.
I’m excited about textile design. So...now what?
No wonder you’re excited. The textile design industry is full of
creative opportunity for artists and designers. Your work can be
used to create fabric for quilting or home decor. Clothing
manufacturers and retailers are looking for creative designs that
interpret the latest fashion trends in a unique way.
I hope you’ve caught the vision of clothing, home decor or quilt
fabric featuring your designs and artwork. I hope you’ve
recognized the potential financial benefits of a career in textile
design. So, now it’s time to take the next steps.
● Market your work. I’ve created a five part course to help you
get started in the textile design industry. How to Sell Your
Artwork will walk you through your marketing options and
give you the strategy you need to start making money selling
textile designs. Click here to
learn more.
● Build your business
. Where can you go to improve your textile
design skills, connect with other designers, and learn from
www.patternobserver.com
experienced designers with the inside scoop on the
industry? of course !
Textile Design Lab, Learn more.
● Be inspired.
I created
Pattern Observer
to share inspiration
and industry information with the textile design
community. My vision is now one of the top blogs serving
our industry. Visit us at
www.patternobserver.com .
www.patternobserver.com
