Hey girls, I was preparing this little something for you!
I know many of you were asking at Quilt Market and in e-mails to post on fabric design process from beginning to end. Shop owners mentioned to me that they would love to read about fabric production process; when they receive them at the stores, they can't believe how superior our fabrics are, the excellence in quality, and the amazing "hand and feel" they have. I promise that for a future post.
I like to share my design process with you (and, shh! some "secrets" too…); so there I go:
The drawing depends on what kind of collection I imagine. Sometimes I start drawing on my own -like the picture below, let's say not having anything in particular in my mind-, and sometimes something triggers my inspiration, like a picture, a book, a dress, or what I see on the street.
This is a random drawing that I was making recently
I scan it first.
Then, I transfer it to Illustrator, and the fun begins!! :)
When I choose colors, it's very important that the palette reflects the "theme" of the collection, so when I see the screen, some colors start "to vibrate" inside me.
It's a long process, and sometimes I remove parts and then make a complete design, to discard it later because it does not fit the mood of the rest of the other fabrics.
Here is a picture of some designs I have discarded and may later use or change for another collection. I save it in a special folder in my computer, that you are now seeing… Remember the one my son was preparing secretly for me?? That one!
The finished design with all the colors came up like this:
I know, I know… the picture is not the best, right? OK, promise to take better ones in the future!
Because you asked for it, there will be more of these posts in the future. Check at the DESIGN category soon!! :)
A lot of work, ah? But, you know what? I really enjoy it!
I would love to keep sharing my "secrets" with you… What do you want to me write about for next time?
Handmade rocks… so keep on stitching!
Patricia
Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog 
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