Ever since I got the sewing bug while I was pregnant with Brenna and in my last days of art school I’ve thought it would be fun to design fabric. Then I became a quilter, discovered designers like Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner (who also has 6 kids) and have thought over and over, “I could do that….. if I could just figure out how to do that.”
Well, I decided this is the year that I will learn to be a fabric designer. I got myself some books
which have helped me immensely. I learn by reading. If I can read about how to do something in a book, then I can do it, but reading directions on the computer, experimenting by trial and error– they just don’t do it for me. Kim Kight’s Field Guide to Fabric Design is fantastic. All the tutorials for digital design are for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, but since those aren’t quite in the budget I’m having to translate things into GIMP and Inkscape, which are free. I also got a vector drawing app for my iPad call iDraw and a stylus so I can draw right on my iPad. It’s like a glorified sketchbook, though I have been using my real sketchbook a lot too.
And then there’s Spoonflower. I’ve known about it since it first started in 2008 or 2009 and signed up as soon as it wasn’t just by invitation only, but have never figured out how to make designs until now. And look!
My first test swatches came in the mail!!! My designs are printed on real fabric!!!
Anyone remember the story I told about Ian coming downstairs one morning and telling me, “Mom, we’re going to get a girl baby and her name is going to be Eva and she is going to be zero and she will have a pink shirt that is a dress”? Well, he further described that pink shirt that is a dress as having blue butterflies on it and a skirt that is blue with pink butterflies. I’ve been on the look out for pink shirts with blue butterflies, pink fabric with blue butterflies, blue fabric with pink butterflies. None. I guess I’ll have to make some.
And I can!! How fun is that?
Oh yeah!!! LOVE these!! I love the blue with the pink butterflies the most and pink with the blue butterflies. Least favorite is the pink polka-dots. Not so sure about that one. Really cool butterflies. Love them!
I LOVE the brown with the big flowers and all the coordinating pieces to go with it. Are you thinking of using the one with the big flowers for your chair. I think that looks like YOU and would be way cool.
Awesome design on you iPad there. Way cool What else can I say, way cool!!!
Are you thinking of printing some of these for your place-mats, to go with that other fabric? Because I am still feeling like I should get some more of it. But if YOUR fabric blends in, that would by cooler.
Love you. I did finish sewing my quilt top together last night. Will go down to the shop and look for a bit of border fabric today. Not my favorite quilt but I have to finish it.
MOM
Oh Jess, They are amazing! I wish I could see them in real life. Way to go!
How AWESOME!!!!! That is too cool! What a thrill to have your designs become so tangible! Great job!
I keep saying the same things about you and it is so true…you are totally amazing!
Those are beautiful!! I especially live the gold flowers on the gray background.
Those are beautiful!! I especially live the gold flowers on the gray background.
I wish you were closer to us! I would love to see your new toys! I also would love to learn how to quilt!
I’ve always wanted to do this too… only on knit fabric to make cute diapers :o) Someday! I love yours… LOVING that large yellow flower on a dark background. Go you!
So pretty! You have talent! I wouldn’t even know where to start.
Now I have another reason to really want an iPad. Your fabric is beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you make with it.
Swoon! Love them all and am so happy to know someone who is living their dream!
Love you!
I’m with your mom. I love the light blue with the fluttering pink butterflies, and also the brown one with the large gold flowers. So fun!