We’re excited to shine a spotlight on our next featured designer, Virginia Das Neves. Her work is full of rich colour, thoughtful motifs, and a unique sense of storytelling that brings each pattern to life. Curious to learn more about Virginia’s creative process, inspirations, and how she turns everyday motifs into timeless textile art?
Keep reading to step inside her world.
Hello everyone! My name is Virginia Das Neves, from Gin Das Creative, and I am thrilled to announce that I have 9 patterns up on the Digital Fabrics website as part of their Designer Project. If you’re feeling inspired to make yourself a new wardrobe or brighten up your home interior, there’ll be plenty of beautiful fabric options to bring your project to life!
I’m a Textile Designer and Illustrator based on Norfolk Island, which is an island paradise located in the South Pacific. This collection of patterns features a variety of motifs inspired by my love of nature, travel and objects. My Ancient Vessels pattern below was created from a series of photographs I took at the archaeology museum in Florence, back in 2019. I used to be an Archaeologist and have always loved ancient pottery so when I saw all these beautifully shaped pots, I knew I had to make a pattern out of them. Everything was hand drawn in pencil and pen, then scanned into Adobe Illustrator where I digitise the drawings, add colour and create a repeat pattern. It’s one of my favourite designs and it always reminds me of my trip to Florence. I think a pair of linen pants with this pattern would make a bold and fun statement in your wardrobe! As a sometimes- perfectionist, I recently updated this repeat pattern and removed the original background. I find that as an artist and designer, I often go back to my work and try and improve it.
My love of textiles really started when I worked as a Costumer for theatre, opera and film back in 1997. I always loved the patterned fabrics we used to create the costumes and wondered how they were designed. In 2017 I took an online surface pattern design course and learnt how to create repeat patterns based on my drawings using Adobe Illustrator…this was a pivotal moment for me as far as extending my creative practise and finally being able to design my own fabrics.
My patterns start off as either pencil sketches or gouache paintings, and my favourite part of the process is drawing or painting in my sketchbook. Norfolk Island is such a beautiful place to live and I often go for a drive up to Anson Bay to draw in my sketchbook. It’s such a peaceful and inspiring spot and often hours go by without me realising! Recently I taught myself to use Procreate on my iPad and am working on a new
collection of patterns based on the marine life of Emily Bay lagoon on Norfolk Island. You can see a couple of my fish illustrations I am working on below. The original drawings were in pencil, then I redrew these in black and white in Procreate, and am now working on the coloured digital paintings for the final pattern. I still have a lot of work to do for this new collection, but I am am enjoying the process!
I hope this has given you some insight into my process and sparked ideas for your next sewing session! Maybe cushions for your loungeroom, or a party dress with some bright olive branches or animal print!
You can browse my patterns in the fabric shop and choose the perfect fabric base you need as well as how many metres you’d like to get printed. The great thing with Digital Fabrics is that the minimum is only 1 metre.
Thank you so much for reading this post and I look forward to seeing what you create! Please make sure you tag Digital Fabrics and myself so we can see your beautiful projects. If you’d like to follow along with my design stories and posts, you can find me here on Instagram.
Much love,
Gin x
ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Wild Forms & Ancient Echoes brings together bold colour, nostalgic motifs, and layered techniques inspired by nature, travel, and heritage. Expect rich hues like burnt orange, cobalt blue, lilac, peach, and jewel red paired with playful and meaningful motifs — from ancient vessels and olive branches to jaguar markings, doves, and whimsical animals. Each pattern blends traditional and digital techniques, creating vibrant, medium to large-scale designs perfect for fashion, interiors, and storytelling through textiles.
It’s come that time again, where we say HELLO! to our latest featured design in The Designer Project. Welcoming Janice Sheen and her textile collection ‘Boho Adventures‘. Join us as we dive into her world of creativity and innovation as we explore her unique design journey. Get ready to be inspired by Janice’s captivating designs and artistic vision. Let’s embark on a journey through the extraordinary work of this talented designer.
Hi Everyone 🙂
My name is Janice. And I love being able to bring colour & texture into folks every day lives. I believe that the things we surround ourselves with are not just a reflection of who we are or want to be, but also have an influence on our moods and outlook. I want to create patterns that affect our lives in positive ways, from bright joy and excitement to quiet calmness and peace.
I am excited to have the opportunely to join Digital Fabrics and be a part of The Designer Project, and am pleased to be able to present my first collection, Boho Adventures. For this set, I started with the colour palette, wanting to explore the beautiful soft desaturated tones that the bohemian style is known for, then played with a wide range of patterns types. I loved discovering how the mutual colour palette drew such different patterns together into a relatively cohesive collection.
I first dabbled in patterns for fabric around 2010/11 before becoming distracted by my ‘day job’ as a senior tour guide. For the last 4 years I have been (& continue to be) a fantasy cartographer, drawing maps for role playing gamers. Late last year, needing an additional creative outlet, I dove back into patterns and have been loving the rediscovery.
As well as surface design & fantasy cartography, I also crochet and occasionally play with photography and abstract art. Ceramics and Photography are the only things I have formal training in. Ceramics in year 11 & 12 and photography as a ‘class on the side’ for 2 years while studying Outdoor Education at Latrobe Uni, Bendigo about 25 years ago. Otherwise I am ‘self-taught’ through books, video tutorials and play.
Colour & texture are the core hubs of interest that all my work spins around …. I tend to lean towards the textural, abstract and geometric, with a preference for the imperfection of hand drawn lines – I love how those imperfections give a pattern a gentler more organic feel.
Currently, I am a ‘digital nomad’, living and working all over the place in Tasmania in my little Hiace camper-van. In-between traveling, I stay with my Mother when she needs me and house sit when I can. Being able to spend time in different environments is incredibly inspiring.
(And that is Eddie, my stuffed Echidna keeping an eye on things)
As a result of the lack of space in my ‘studio’, I mostly work with digital tools (Procreate, Photoshop & photographs). For example, The Rock Garden Block Print pattern is not a traditional block print. For this one, I started out with a bunch of sketch ideas in Procreate, trying for something that felt like abstract rocks made from potato-cut sort of shapes. Mostly, my ‘sketches’ (top left in the image below) stay very rough, incomplete & unformed. From there I dove straight into making a set of Procreate ‘stamp-brushes’ which I then digitally ‘stamped’ all around to make the pattern; infilling with a few dots in-between. I also added splatters and a bit of watercolour texture to the flat-colour shapes, to give them more life.
Occasionally I include ink-on-paper elements. The Beach Diamonds pattern started out life as a series of little doodles drawn about 8 years ago. I scanned had them into the computer at the time and filed them without doing anything with them. More recently, I dug the scan out of my archives and selected a few that made me think of beach shells and rock strata the most. Using Photoshop, I enlarged them a LOT, cleaned them up, arranged them and coloured them, adding a splatter texture over the top to break up the flat colours.
So there we go…. I hope this little snippet of time has given you some inspiration for your own projects and creativity.
Don’t forget to tag me on instagram ( @janice_sheen ) if you post a a photo of something made with any of my designs… I am looking forward to admiring what you create 🙂
About the Collection
Boho Adventures started as a limited set of 15 warm and cool colours inspired by the Bohemian style trend.
Apart from that, I did not have any grand plan apart from wanting it to feel hand drawn and textural. I tend to let creative projects flow and ‘grow themselves’. If I try to plan too much, the result can sometimes feel stagnate and over-worked. I played with & explored a variety of different ideas, including elements inspired by more traditional designs and motifs, as well as the more abstract wilder ones, and then tied them all together with the chosen colour set.
The result is a varied set of patterns that are vaguely rustic and inspired by rocks, water and textures found in nature… But also modern & fresh, and best of all, with a few unexpectedly large scale, bold patterns that I truly looking forward to seeing used.
This month, we shine the spotlight on Jennifer Reid, an artist, illustrator & surface pattern designer. Her creativity knows no bounds, and her work speaks volumes. In this post, we’ll take you behind the scenes of her creative process. You’ll discover what inspires her and learn a bit about her creative process for her prints and patterns. Get ready to be inspired by Jennifer’s unique vision and artistic flair.
Welcome to the joyful world of my design process — a journey that weaves together the vibrant threads of my upbringing in Western Sydney Australia, and my deep connection with nature and everyday life. As an artist, my canvas is an intricate dance of diverse culture, Australian florals and cherished memories of home.
I live in a beautiful semi-rural town on the outskirts of Sydney Australia, with my hubby and two kids, who are the loves of my life. Before starting my design business over 15 years ago, I worked in a few different areas – as a primary school teacher, retail assistant, finance manager and even a beauty salon owner. But it was actually a really scary cancer diagnosis some years ago that changed my career trajectory, when I started using art as therapy to get through some pretty tough days. Art saved my life. It calmed me, helped me to dream and hope, and literally sparked joy and sunshine in my darkest days.
My adventure begins with the raw and tactile nature of gouache, watercolour and acrylic paint, or the cosy familiarity of coloured pencil and ink. But thankfully, the modern artist isn’t bound by traditional mediums alone. Enter Procreate on the iPad — my invaluable companion that breathes digital life into my creations. It’s a tool that allows me to add a contemporary touch, enhancing the dynamism of my patterns.
My designs often take another digital leap when I scan them into the realm of Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator – my fun digital playground, where the true magic unfolds. The scanned elements become the building blocks for my intricate patterns, layer upon layer of creativity blending seamlessly as I navigate through the endless possibilities these powerful software programs offer.
At the core of my designs is a homage to the wonders of nature, with Australian florals and birds usually taking centre stage, paying tribute to the diverse ecosystems that have inspired me since my childhood days exploring the great outdoors.
But my work is about cultural roots too – the nourishing ingredients from my mama’s kitchen and garden find their place in my patterns, a visual celebration of my heritage and the warm embrace of home. Home and sanctuary emerge as recurring themes, mirroring the cherished memories of my childhood – the kitchen and garden as hubs of gatherings and creativity, serving as an emotional backdrop for my designs.
Art, for me, is not just about aesthetics; it’s a therapeutic outlet. The process of expressing myself through these patterns has been my healing balm, guiding me through many of life’s challenges with each brushstroke. A healing power that extends beyond my studio walls, I believe that art has the ability to offer solace and inspiration to others. Through my patterns, I hope to share a bit of the comfort and joy that I’ve found in creativity. My ultimate goal is to spark joy. I want those who encounter my patterns to feel a sense of delight, to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary of everyday life, just as I have.
Life is a journey filled with challenges and art has been my constant companion through it all. It serves as a reminder of the comforts of home and the resilience found in the embrace of nature. As I continue this artsy adventure, I am crafting a patterned world – one that speaks to the heart, embraces cultural richness and invites others to find joy in the tapestry of life. Join me on this colourful journey, where brush strokes become pixels and every pattern tells a story.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I’d love to see the beauty you create with my designs, so please be sure to tag both Digital Fabrics and me @jenniferreiddesign in any of your amazing projects using fabrics showcasing my designs! Please also follow along with my art adventures on Instagram (@jenniferreiddesign) and subscribe to my email list to receive newsletter and blog updates, as well as a free downloadable art print.
Never Stop Dreaming, Jennifer Reid xo
ABOUT THE COLLECTION:
Growing up in a melting pot of cultures and languages, I’ve soaked in the beauty of nature and everyday life, which light up my creative spark. I use bursts of colour, playful shapes and interesting textures to spark joy in the world. But my art goes deeper than that. It’s all about exploring the connection between people and our planet. I want to remind everyone how important it is to take care of our Earth for the next generations. I’m particularly drawn to Australian flowers and birds, and the nourishing ingredients from my mama’s kitchen and garden – a nod to my heritage. So, my art revolves around the idea of home and sanctuary. When I think back to my childhood, I remember the kitchen and garden as hubs of fun and creativity. In my art, you’ll find flowers, birds, butterflies, fruits & vegetables – all symbols of love and happiness to me.
Meet Our Next Featured Designer: Sarah Field! In this blog post, we dive into her latest design project. We’ll take you behind the scenes to explore her creative process. Discover the inspiration, challenges, and triumphs that shape her work. Get ready to be inspired by Sarah Field’s extraordinary talent!
Hello!
I am so pleased to be a part of this wonderful collective of designers. I am based in North Brisbane, QLD and am both a fine artist and surface pattern designer. My style of painting is very delicate and intricate. I adore flowers and you will always find my studio scattered with paintings of flowers in various stages of completion and fresh or fading flowers in vases and vintage teacups!
The collection of patterns I’m releasing with Digital Fabrics reflects my love for the gorgeous French country aesthetic. In my early 20s I travelled Europe and fell in love with the overflowing flower gardens, natural stone walls, antique furniture and soft pastel tones. The style is effortlessly elegant and natural.
My process for creating is very intuitive. I hand paint the flowers from life here in my studio. I am a single mum and although my boy Harry is pretty used to me painting away in a corner of the home, I usually reserve my intense painting sessions for the evenings. When all is quiet in the world, I grab a hot tea, put on a podcast and paint petal by petal. For me the process is so enjoyable, second only to seeing my work bring joy to others.
My original artwork has been featured in various galleries and exhibitions here in Australia and I’ve also been lucky enough to exhibit in Italy as part of the Fabriano In Acquerello Watercolour Event this year. I’ve always had this desire though to create patterns and see my work come alive in other forms. So last year I joined Cass Deller’s surface pattern design course and fell instantly in love with this wonderful process of turning my hand painted motifs into repeat patterns.
I hope you love this mini collection and I can’t wait to see how you use these designs in your own creative projects. X
You can shop my original artwork and learn more about me at www.sarahfieldart.com and follow my process on Instagram www.instagram.com/sarahfield_art
This collection reflects my love for floral fabrics and French country style. Fresh flowers in the studio are my greatest inspiration and they are what inspired this collection of work. Oscar Wilde wrote ‘flowers blossom for their own joy’. This quote stays with me, as it reminds me that life is all about those moments of creating and finding your own joy. Find happiness in the beautiful colours on a flower petal, find comfort in their scent, nature gives us so much to enjoy, we must just remember to seek it out every day. Which is why I absolutely love sharing these designs with you!
This collection began as hand painted watercolour illustrations, which I then turned into repeat patterns. I have featured colours in the works that have a nod to the warm tones of French country décor style, soft pinks, yellows and blues. While the ‘Red Poppies’ and ‘All Over Poppies’ bring in some brighter warm colours seen in Provincial design.
Welcome to our latest installment of the Designer Project! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Rebekah McDonald. Rebekah is a surface pattern designer, Visual Arts teacher and artist based in the Limestone Coast of South Australia . Her work captures the essence of creativity and innovation. In this post, we’ll delve into her design philosophy and showcase her stunning projects. Get ready to be inspired by Rebekah’s incredible talent!
Hi everyone! I’m Rebekah McDonald from @rebekahmcdonaldart and I’m very excited to be partnering with Digital Fabrics and having some of my designs for sale in their fabric shop. I’m looking forward to seeing what creations people make with these designs.
My pattern designs cover different themes, with patterns suitable for different age groups and purposes. My media of choice for pattern design is watercolour and digital art, where I sketch, draw and paint motifs individually before arranging them into larger designs. This curated collection features some of my digital designs.
Below are some behind-the-scenes images to give you a glimpse of my work in progress.
My designs are inspired by the things I see around me and the things that I love, which often involve animals, botanical elements, and beverages. Once deciding on a theme, I start by looking for visual inspiration by taking photos, collecting images and creating Pinterest boards. From there, I sketch out individual motifs on paper.
My sketched designs are then scanned and uploaded into Procreate, where I trace over them and digitally paint them.
The drawing and painting of my motifs is very time intensive, but I like to create high resolution images with lots of detail, so that I can create my patterns to a range of scales. I usually have an idea in my head of how I want to arrange my patterns before I get started, but I still have lots of fun arranging these on my computer using Photoshop, often trying new layouts and creating complementary designs.
Below is an example of my what “By the Sea” would look like as a dress for a young girl. This pattern, along with most of my others, work well for apparel, but also for quilting, cushions and curtains.
I have a studio space that I use for my computer design work. When it comes to my sketching though, I tend to draw wherever I am, which might be at a bench, couch or even my bedroom, depending on the day. I tend to go wherever the light is best and the coffee is brewing.
“Summer Cocktails” is one of my boldest prints, with colours reflecting the excitement of summer and the juicy array of fruits and beverages that are available at that time. I aimed for high contrast colours, with lots of variety.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a bit more about me and my design process. You can view more of my designs in the fabric shop, where you can choose to have these designs printed on a range of different fabrics. I would love to see the creations you make with my designs. Please tag both Digital Fabrics and me in any sewing projects you create. 
If you’d like to see more of my art and design work, please follow me on Facebook or Instagram.
Thank you for reading.
Bek
ABOUT THE COLLECTION:
Rebekah’s work is inspired by the many things she sees around her, but often features animals or natural elements. She is also inspired by the things that bring her joy, such as coffee, cocktails and cats, which are featured in her current release with Digital Fabrics. Rebekah is a realist painter and her realistic style also carries across to her patterns, although in many cases these motifs are simplified and stylised. Individual patterns and collections feature common colour palettes, which range from bold and bright to soft and subtle, depending on the mood she is capturing in the collection.
Next up as our featured artist in The Designer Project is the talented Katherine Bowden from Stylistix Creations – with her incredible Hand painted florals collection!
She has put together a wonderful blog post, diving deep into her creative process and inspirations for creating these amazing designs. Keep on reading to find out more!
I transitioned from the photography industry to graphic multimedia design always using my strong creative and artistic side. I enjoy expressing my ideas and emotions through visual mediums. In both photography and design, attention to detail is crucial. I have a ability to notice and work with intricate patterns and designs.
My love for pattern design and illustration since childhood highlights a deep appreciation for aesthetics and trending designs. I get an overwhelming feeling of pride when I see one of my patterns on a product or fabric and I am forever looking at the world around me, especially nature and patterns. I am forever drawing or jotting down my design thoughts on paper in between waiting for things or other work.
I generate my design patterns by first sketching them on paper or, alternatively, directly in Procreate. Subsequently, I transfer and refine these designs in either Procreate or Photoshop. Procreate stands out as an exceptional software for crafting watercolour and oil painted motifs, offering a wide array of brushes that faithfully replicate traditional mediums. My experience working with traditional painting media has greatly informed and enhanced my digital painting skills.
The creation of repeat patterns is executed using a selection of digital programs, including Procreate, Affinity Designer, Photoshop, and Illustrator, depending on the specific requirements of each pattern. Typically, I employ Adobe Illustrator for vector-based designs, particularly when working on geometric patterns. It’s worth noting that rendering high-resolution motifs in Illustrator can be a time-intensive process.
‘Hand painted florals’ is a captivating collection of hand-painted florals, blending delicate brushstrokes with vibrant hues. Each design brings elegance and charm to textiles, perfect for creating timeless and stylish pieces.
Meet our newest featured designer in the Designer Project, Tessa Jones. Dive into her world of creativity and innovation as we explore her unique design journey. Get ready to be inspired by Tessa’s captivating designs and artistic vision. Let’s embark on a journey through the extraordinary work of this talented designer.
Keep reading to find out more!
Hello My name is Tessa Jones and I am the creative brain behind “The Welshman’s Wife”. I’m excited to share the process behind my surface design creations. From concept to the final product, every step is a labor of love, and I hope this glimpse into my world inspires fellow artists and design enthusiasts alike.
The very first step in my surface design process is finding inspiration. This can come from anywhere – a walk in the park, a holiday, a book, or even a conversation. For many of my designs my inspiration is drawn from nature, particularly flowers and fauna, this tends to be the starting point of most of my designs as it is an unwavering source of inspiration.
After pinpointing my inspiration, I dive into research. I collect photos, images, colours, and textures that align with my vision. Creating a mood board helps me visualise the overall aesthetic and ensures I stay on track throughout the creative process.
With my mood board as a guide, I start sketching my initial ideas. These sketches are rough and exploratory, helping me test different patterns and compositions. It’s a critical phase where I let my creativity flow freely, allowing for unexpected discoveries. I generally only sketch in pencil in my visual diary, pencil albeit simple is my favourite medium. I draw many sketches and motifs and will also write and plan pattern and design layouts.
Once I’m satisfied with my sketches, I move on to digitalisation. I use Adobe Fresco and sometimes procreate for this process, I am a bit of a vector nerd, so everything will end up as vectors in Adobe Illustrator in the end, as this is where I build my repeats. I generally take a photo of my sketch in Fresco and then draw it in here, I really love the vector brushes, and building it in Fresco allows me to work seamlessly across the Adobe suite.
Choosing the right colour palette is crucial and can completely transform a design, both positively or negatively. I tend to look at colour as a whole topic of its own, there will be days when I feel colour inspired, whether it be from a photo or image and I dedicate time to build colour palettes and save them for another time, this way I always have colours to choose from and I am not forcing myself to create colour palettes when I‘m not so inspired. I tend to work with several colour palettes at a time and when building my design I experiment with them, this is one of my favourite parts of the process.
With all of my digital artwork and colours at hand, I start creating my patterns, I generally start with my hero prints or more complex prints, as this works to my strengths, I find these come to me more easily than the simpler prints and co-ordinates, these set the tone for the collection and my big vision for how I see my collection transpiring.
I print my designs on paper first, this is cost effective and a great way to look at the designs and scale before sending them to my fabric printer, although colour will not be accurate it gives me a good idea of the design and scale and how the collection works as a whole. I can lay them all out and see which designs work well together and which don’t and get a real feel for the collection.
After making any needed tweaks, I’ll finalise the collection, this includes preparing the files for print, ensuring they meet the technical requirements of various printing methods. I’ll then order my first lot of fabric samples, once they arrive, they are either approved or amended, generally if anything needs to be changed it is usually the colour, as sometimes due to different fabric printers does not translate as I would like it to, but this is easily rectified, and with experience this tends to get less as I build a library of colours I love and I know print well.
My designs are not only applied to fabric but an array of products such as stationery, wallpaper, home decor, and more. The application process involves working with manufacturers and printers to bring my creations to life, and it never gets dull seeing my artwork on all of these amazing products.
My surface design creation process is a deeply rewarding journey of creativity and self-expression. It’s a testament to the power of inspiration, research, and hard work. I hope this glimpse into my creative world inspires you to embark on your own artistic journeys and never stop seeking inspiration in the beauty of the world around you. Thank you for joining me on this creative adventure!
Grandma’s cupboard is a selection of vintage and retro inspired prints. They showcase Tessa’s typical soft and feminine style with a strong focus on florals and fauna.
Introducing Bella Handreck, the next featured designer in The Designer Project. Bella’s Meadow Collection captures the rest and magic of a safe place, and invites you to envision your own meadow full of all your favourite things. In this blog post, we’ll explore Bella’s artistic process. We’ll delve into her inspirations and the story behind each piece in the Meadow Collection. Join us as we uncover the essence of her work and the passion that drives her creativity.
Hi! I’m Bella Handreck, a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Melbourne. I’m so excited to finally be able to share the Meadow Collection with the world – it’s been my first foray into pattern design, and I’m so proud of what Digital Fabrics and I have been able to make together.
The Meadow Collection is based on a fictional hilltop that I often think of as my ‘happy place’. It’s a place that’s become quite real to me over the years, and something I associate with true rest and peace and just that simple joy you can only really find by slowing down and appreciating what’s around you. I wanted to capture many different elements of the place in this collection, and have all the patterns tell a bit of a story.
I created this collection in the renovated garden shed I use as my studio, and it really was the perfect space for the process. I have a large L desk – one side has my laptop and monitor and everything I need for creating digitally, and the other I can leave paint and sketchbooks and process pieces out on. It was so helpful to have different zones set up, so I could jump between tasks and pieces as I needed to.
It was important to me to use a variety of mediums when creating this collection, so I started out with gouache. Gouache and I are fairly new friends, but we’ve grown quite fond of each other in a short time. My “Garden Rug” piece came together almost too easily in the gouache, I love how the brushstrokes capture the whimsy and texture a field of wildflowers has. I also painted the test for what became Garden Gingham in gouache, but ended up creating it digitally in Procreate so I could ensure the lines were all perfectly even widths to make repeating the artwork seamless.
Most of the other artworks were created wholly digitally – when trying to achieve more detail and balance in a design, like in Petal Postcards or Picnic Spread, I can’t get past how helpful the zoom and undo tools are. Creating digitally helps keep the pressure off too, so I’ll almost always start there and then if I’m really missing the texture you get from paint, I’ll move across to a sketchbook.
I ended up with quite a few small scale patterns in this collection, so kept the detail and texture to a minimum to really let the quality of Digital Fabrics’ stock shine through. I’m excited to get my hands on some actual prints, as I know they’ll really come to life on fabric.
As a sewist myself, I had projects in mind as I was creating these patterns. I’m dying to make a loose pinafore style dress out of Tiny Tulips, while Picnic Spread is begging to be turned into some simple shorts for spring.
I find it so grounding to surround myself with small things I really love to remind me of how bright and hopeful the world truly is when it seems otherwise; my hope is that these patterns can be that for you! I’m really excited to see what our community makes with these artworks, and feel so grateful to be apart of your lives in some small way.
The Meadow Collection is inspired by artist Bella Handreck’s happy place, a fictional meadow where the grass is vibrant and lush, there are wildflowers so thick underfoot they act as carpet, and the fresh air carries the sweetness only a mountain meadow can. This collection captures the rest and magic of a safe place, and invites you to envision your own meadow full of all your favourite things.
Introducing the visionary behind our current featured fabric prints – Clare Martin! In this blog post, we will explore some behind the scenes of her start in surface pattern design as well as what inspires her work. You’ll also get an inside look at her unique creative process and discover how she transforms ideas into stunning projects. Keep on reading to find out more!
Clare Martin
Hi everyone, I’m Clare, a surface pattern designer and illustrator living by the sea in Fremantle.
Workspace
Almost all my childhood memories involve either drawing or doing some crafty activity, so when I left school there was no question that I’d get a job doing something that involved art. After school I
studied fashion design and later went to uni to get a Degree in Graphic Design, working for many years as a graphic designer. About 5 years ago I discovered the beautiful, creative world of surface
pattern design and am so happy I did! I get inspired by interesting plants and animals, with their gorgeous colours, textures and patterns, everyday things, and vintage objects I remember from growing up in the seventies. My aim is to create joyful, colourful designs full of whimsy, texture and details that will make you smile; art that you’ll want to surround yourself with everyday!
Australian Wildflowers Layout
When I start a project, I’ll either search my photo library for images of what I want to draw or I’ll look for photos to reference on Pinterest. All my designs are drawn by hand, some start off as drawings in my sketchbook, or on watercolour paper, either with black markers or my trusty nib pen and ink. I love the quality of linework you get with a nib pen, ink sploodges and all. Depending on the type of artwork I want to create and how I’m feeling, sometimes I’ll paint on watercolour paper with watercolours or inks instead, and work over it with the nib pen or add some coloured pencil. Everything gets scanned and then digitised in either Illustrator of Photoshop, or a combination of both, depending on the materials I’ve used, the effect I want to achieve and whether it’s going to be a repeat pattern or an illustration.
Colour is a huge part of the design process for me, I love it, it makes me eyeballs sing, so I spend a lot of time getting just the right colour combination for each design. I love putting my designs into collections, using pattern, scale and colour to match it all together to create something interesting and harmonious.
Australian Wildflowers WIP
I’m really excited to be joining the other fab designers here who have a collection of prints available with Digital Fabrics. You can follow along with me on instagram @claremartindesign, and please feel
free to tag me so I can see what you make, I’d love to see your amazing creations!
My website link is: https://www.claremartindesign.com.au/
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/claremartindesign/
Meet Lynn Priestly, the creative force behind the enchanting designs of the ‘Wild and Winged’ collection. Her unique approach blends imagination with artistry. In this blog post, we’ll explore her whimsical design process. Discover how Lynn transforms ideas into captivating creations. Join us as we unveil the magic that makes her work truly special.
Lynn Priestley
In a world where creativity knows no bounds, I find my muse in the whimsical and beautiful. Crafting designs that breathe life into imagination is not just a passion but a delightful journey I embark on every day. It all starts with a spark of inspiration. Whether it’s a vibrant sunset, a playful childhood memory, or the intricate patterns of nature, I draw inspiration from the world around me. I keep my senses open, ready to capture that fleeting moment that can ignite a whimsical masterpiece.
Workspace
Colour is the language of emotions, and in my design process, it’s where the magic truly begins. I carefully select a palette that resonates with the theme and emotions I want to convey. Vibrant hues and so[ pastels often find their way into my creations, creating a visual symphony that dances before your eyes.
Moodboard
With inspiration and colours in my arsenal, I start sketching. Pencil and paper become my best friends as I translate the images in my mind, usually hand sketched on paper to begin with and then digitally as the work progresses. These initial sketches are like the blueprint of a dream, a whimsical outline of what’s to come.
Sketches
In today’s digital age, once my sketches make their way into the digital realm, I add intricate details, experiment with different textures, and weave the whimsy into my designs. Digital tools offer boundless possibilities, allowing me to refine and enhance my creations.
Workspace
Design, for me, is a playful journey. I iterate, experiment, and sometimes, start over. Each iteration brings me closer to capturing the essence of whimsy and beauty I am after. It’s like a puzzle coming together, piece by piece, until the final picture emerges.
Final Design
When I finally step back and look at the finished design, it’s a moment of pure joy. The whimsical beauty I envisioned has taken form, and I can’t help but smile. It’s a testament to the magic of creativity, where ideas become tangible works of art. The beauty of whimsical design is in sharing it with the world. I believe that art should evoke emotions, tell stories, and bring joy. That’s why I’m eager to share my creations with you, hoping that they might add a touch of magic and wonder to your world.
Bandicoots by Night Mockup
And there you have it – a glimpse into my whimsical design process. It’s a journey where inspiration meets imagination, where colours and sketches blend into something beautiful and magical. So, next time you see one of my designs, know that it’s crafted with love and a sprinkle of whimsy, just for you.
The ‘Wild and Winged‘ fabric collection showcases a delightful exploration of colours, textures, and aesthetics. With a deep love for joyful and beautiful design, Lynn strives to infuse every piece she crafts with a sense of wonder and delight.
