If you’re a sewist, you’ve likely developed a deep appreciation for fabric—its textures, colours, and the way it transforms into something uniquely yours with each project. But what if you could take that love to the next level by designing your own custom fabric patterns?

Whether you’re looking to create something truly one-of-a-kind for your sewing projects or you want to bring your vision to life and share it with others, learning how to design your own fabric can be both fun and empowering. In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps to help you start designing your own fabric patterns!

Why Design Your Own Fabric?

Designing your own fabric can open up a whole new world of creativity. Here’s why it might be worth diving into:

Personalized Style: There’s no limit to the colors, patterns, and themes you can explore, allowing you to express yourself in ways you never have before.
Stand Out in Your Projects: Whether you’re sewing for yourself or for others, having your own fabric designs ensures that your creations are unique.
Control Over Quality: You choose the fabric, the print, and the scale, ensuring your designs meet your specific needs.

Imagine sewing an outfit using only designs that you’ve created!?

It’s possible!

My Love for Pattern Design

Creating bold, bright, and modern patterns is a passion of mine that has enriched my life in ways I never imagined. When I first learned how to design my own patterns, it felt like unlocking a new dimension of creativity. The ability to transform a simple idea into a colorful, vibrant design that comes to life on fabric is such a rewarding experience. It’s not just about creating something pretty—it’s about putting a piece of yourself into every design.

This skill has given me the freedom to create work that truly reflects my personal style, and it’s brought a lot of joy and fulfillment into my life. I know that once you learn how to design your own patterns, you’ll feel the same excitement and satisfaction that I do each time you open a freshly printed batch of fabric.

Getting Started with Fabric Design

1. Start with Inspiration
Before diving into the technical aspects of designing, think about the fabrics that inspire you. Is there a specific theme, color palette, or texture you’d like to explore? The key to great design starts with a clear vision.

Try creating an inspiration board or collection of images to guide your design process. Pinterest and design blogs are great for collecting ideas.

2. Understand Seamless Patterns
A seamless pattern is one that repeats without visible borders. This is crucial for fabric design because you want your print to flow seamlessly over the entire fabric.

3. Choosing Your Tools and Software
While there are many ways to design fabric, the best way to create a professional and repeatable pattern is through design software. Adobe Illustrator is the most popular tool among surface designers because of its vector-based capabilities, which make it easy to scale your designs without losing quality.

If you’re new to Adobe Illustrator, don’t worry! There are plenty of beginner tutorials online that can help you get started. You could even take my beginners course on Skillshare to learn how to create your first repeating pattern. (This link will give your free access to Skillshare for one month)

Other user-friendly design programs like Procreate or Affinity Designer are also great alternatives for creating beautiful patterns, though I love Adobe Illustrator, so that’s my go-to.

4. Color, Scale, and Composition
When designing fabric patterns, it’s important to consider:

Color: Choose colors that suit the fabric’s intended use. Bold patterns work well for accessories, while softer tones are great for garments.
Scale: Think about how large or small your design elements will be. If the pattern is too small, it may get lost; if it’s too large, it might overpower the fabric.
Composition: Arrange your design elements thoughtfully. Patterns that have a good flow and balanced composition tend to be more pleasing to the eye. Zooming right out is a great way to see the overall flow of your repeating pattern.

5. Prepare Your Design for Print
Once your design is ready, it’s time to prepare it for printing on fabric. Most fabric printers require your design to be in a high-resolution file (150 dpi) and in the right format (often a PNG, JPG, or PDF).

Some printing companies allow you to upload your design directly, while others may require you to submit a print-ready file. Research your chosen fabric printing service’s guidelines carefully.

Printing Your Custom Fabric

Once your pattern is ready and you’ve prepared the files, it’s time to choose a fabric printing service. Many online platforms, like Spoonflower, offer custom fabric printing in various materials (from cotton to linen to jersey). You can even order swatches to see how your design looks on fabric before committing to a larger batch.

Tips for Success

Experiment with Layers: Don’t be afraid to try different layers and elements in your design. Mixing motifs can give your pattern extra depth and interest.
Start Simple: If you’re new to fabric design, start with basic shapes and motifs and build your way up. Practice makes perfect!
Be Inspired by Fabric Trends: Keep an eye on current fabric trends in the fashion and home décor industry to stay inspired and learn what’s popular.
Test Your Designs: Order a small swatch before going big with your fabric to ensure everything looks just as you envisioned.

Ready to Dive In?

Designing your own fabric patterns can be a thrilling and rewarding journey. Whether you’re creating something for yourself or hoping to turn your designs into a product line, the process of translating your ideas into fabric is a powerful way to enhance your sewing practice.

I’d love to guide you on your journey to designing your own patterns. If you’re ready to learn how to create beautiful, bold patterns just like mine, join my waitlist for my new course DESIGN YOUR DREAM FABRIC. I will be deep-diving into fabric design in this course like never before. I know you will love it! Register your interest here.

From Sewist to Surface Designer: How to Create Your Own Custom Fabric Patterns