How do you Design Fabric?

I am asked certain questions so frequently and I try my hardest to be helpful and answer all questions that come my way.  To help facilitate a bit, I've created a FAQ's section where I can navigate people to and give a little more in depth answer easier.  (That way we get to chat a bit more!)

How to get started designing fabric is something that people are so incredibly interested in.  Some people are wanting to design themselves, some are just curious about the medium they love!

If you are interested in designing fabric, here are a few pointers.

• Give it a try and play with it a bit to see if it is for you, it is really hard work and not quite as glamorous as it may seem.  ;)
• Every designer creates their artwork differently.  Some are graphic artists and create all artwork right in the computer.  Some are painters and submit actual raw artwork to the manufacturer.  Some designers draw, etc..  You have to find what works for you.
• Contact the manufacturers you are interested in working with and ask about their submission guidelines.  This will give you more direction than anything else.

If you are curious about the process, it is very long!  Here is a loose idea of what it takes to get that fabric in your hands!

• Initial artwork.  Personally, I work on my lines for a long time before I submit the artwork.  About 4-6 months tinkering and getting the "feel" for the line.  An initial 2-3 months is gathering inspiration, color ideas, molding together my thoughts for that collection.  I am usually making rough sketches during this point, laying out the "blueprints."  The next 2-3 months are intensive work on polishing the artwork, making the colors flow and really creating a story with the line.
• Artwork is sent to the mill.  Take a breather, there is about a 6-8 week break.
• Strike offs come back from the mill!  This is exciting, as it is the first time to actually see the artwork on fabric.  The engraving of the design is being checked, along with the coloring.  If it isn't perfect, then corrections have to be made.  Send them back to the mill!  Wait 4-6 weeks..
• Re-strikes come back.  If everything is good, hooray!  If not..more corrections.
• Approve final prints.  This is exciting and sad at the same time.  You are picking the final ones to be mass printed.  Exciting!  But sometimes certain prints aren't helping the line and they are cut.  This can be hard as you've been working with them for the last 6-8 months.
• After another 4-6 weeks sample yardage is available to the designer.  This is used for making samples for websites, fliers, patterns, mailing lists and to present at Quilt Market.  Depending on timing, there may be a few weeks to get this done..but maybe there isn't!
• Quilt Market - Market is held twice a year and is when all the new lines are debuted.  People travel from all over the globe to view the new lines and place orders.
• 1-3 months later (this depends on how fast the bulk fabric yardage arrives from the mill) bolts are shipped from the manufacturer to shops.
• Now you can order that fabric and sew your little heart out!

Comments

[jen eskridge]

I dream of someday designing my own fabric line. I currently live in Korea, textile mill capital of the world. Its so inspiring. You have so much information to share and I love your Ginger Blossom line! ~jen~

[Kay Snyder]

Wow, thanks for sharing. I was wondering but afraid to ask, afraid of what? I dunno, lol. Your stuff is beautiful!

[Tina]

Thanks for sharing this information. I've found that there is only a few designers out there willing to share some iformation. Maybe that's why people are afraid to ask. I know that's why I am.

[lissilulu]

Thank you for this information. Really...I have two very artistic, color loving girls who are 13 and almost 17 who may lean this direction of creating fabric lines. They have hearts to work at home so if they can harness the artistic ability they would do wonderful.

Going to read more...like do you pay for the process of getting it printed out into fabrics or does the manufacturer *take a chance* on your designs?
thanks again!
lori

[Nina]

Thanks Sandi! I appreciate you answering my questions about this back in January - or something like that! I'm still very much interested in pursuing this, as I've been sewing, quilting, and designing for many years, and this just seems like a natural next adventure for me. I'll keep working on it, thanks to your inspiration! Nina

[sarah Jane]

thanks so much! It is nice hear a little about the process...esp the part that no one really talks about...the TIME it takes! wow! you have been busy! keep it up!

[lnsokol]

How do you personally design your work? I love using illustrator and photoshop (my DH is a graphic artist) and from looking at your work .... BEAUTIFUL I might add, it looks like digital medium rather than actual paint/pen. Please share. I love drooling over your art/fabric.

[Shelley Detton]

Oh, Sandi, you are living my dream! You are such an inspiration to me - I'm so very excited for you and all your successes. I can't wait to see your new line. I have been so inspired by your blog and your kind explanations of the designing process that I'm in knee-deep in drawings of my own collection. I'm technically impaired, however :-), so until the how-to books arrive for PhotoshopCS3 I'm stuck! I can't wait to start tinkering with the colors so I can see the line come to life. Thanks again for the inspiration and encouragement your blog has brought to me. I am in awe of all you are able to accomplish, being a mother of young kiddos and all. Kudos to you!

[Jennifer]

Thanks Sandi for the info! I only recently found your blog and I LOVE it! I can't wait to get my hands on some Farmer's Market fabrics!

I feel like reading this info 'is a sign'. I've been really considering fabric design lately, but I'm running stuck finding information about it. Thanks so much for sharing! I have several fabric ideas bouncing around in my brain, but I'm concerned that I don't have the training or expertise to design fabric. I went to school for teaching and now I'm a stay at home mom. Would you recommend some sort of art training? Also, what sort of graphic design programs are people using to design fabric?

You are incredibly inspiring to me, Sandi. Thanks for your willingness to share the ins and outs of fabric design. You rock! :)

[jordan Durbin]

Hi Sandi,
So, I have a couple of questions. I've been working on a bunch of designs for a line and am nearing a point of submitting artwork to several manufacturers. It is raw, as I work in a lot of different mediums (watercolor, pen and ink, marker, paint, some digitized, but mostly not), and I was wondering, how many designs do I send? All? Should I include blender/coordinate concepts/ideas/designs or just my main patterns?
Do you suggest mounting/matting artwork to send it at all? The manufacturers that I've heard from only replied that they required full repeat high quality images.
Any help with this would be awesome!
I absolutely love your blog and your lines! Amazingly talented!
Thanks so much!
Jordan and Co.

[Amy]

I just discovered your designs through Dana's giveaway. Sad I didn't win the quilt but happy to know about your amazing fabrics. My thought has always been - how do designers come up with designs! I know what I like when I see it, but I would have a hard time coming up with that stuff on my own. Your designs are great and such happy fresh colors! Glad to have found you!

[Lisa]

Hi Sandy, thanks so much for posting that information on fabric design. I love your fabric by the way! All my life I have been doing creative work in my free time. I realize lately that I am officially obsessed with the designs on fabric more than anything else, so I want to get into designing fabric, but I am completely new to it. How do you recommend get started in terms of should I take a specific class, or any type of training involved? Also, what are the manufacturers looking for? Can a random no name person like myself just send them designs and hope they buy into it??

Thanks so much for your help!

[Tami Foulger]

Thanks so much for the information. This is my first time posting but I have a been a fan for awhile. I hope to make some of my dreams come to pass and you have been a real inspiration!

[Jennifer Byrne Paganellli]

well done Sandi...see you in Pittsburgh...bravo girfriend.

[Cody Brown]

Sandi
Just checking back into your web site. Looks great, very impressive. Hope your doing well since the surgery. Just wanted to say Hi.
love your
Uncle Cody

[Ruth Naomi]

I love the music on your site. I am dreaming of designing fabric with a broken heart. My wonderful mama died and I am feeling very lost without her.

[Sheri]

Hi Sandy, I must say that you are a very giving on your art which I think is very refreshing!! I love your collections they are the most refreshing and beautiful!! I am so in awe of you and a couple more designer's that seem to give it your all it's wonderful. I love your music on here as well. I can't wait to see your next fun project, collection line. I bet it is a blast working with Michael Miller Co. I love the Company, the story behind their start. Their blog is so filled how to's & so clear with it too. I do love to read about the start, process, and the finished products when it comes to fabric,sewing,and quilting. I can only dream that I can design, & abt 30yr's younger. Thank you for being you. Keep up the fantastic work!!

[emily scott]

was the design of fabric.. weave etc bassed on that of nature if so what?? if you have time pleas could u email me th answer??

[kate O'Malley]

Hi my name is kate and I am a junior at Assumption College in Worcester. I love to sew and am interested in textile design/fiber arts. I am currently a graphic design major and am looking for an internship for the fall of 2009 either in Boston or Worcester. If any designers are looking for a little extra help let me know. I want to learn everything and anything about this art!

Best Regards,
Kate O'Malley
komalley@assumption.edu

[Lucy]

Hi

What a brilliant post, I've wondered about this for so long and am now setting up my own business supplying fabrics both old and new. Along with other favorite haberdashery items! I dream of creating my own fabric range. Just a quick question - you mentioned the manufactuer that you would like to work with...how is the best way to find this manufacturer? If you are searching for one, how would you go about doing so? Are there any that you would recommend?

Thanks so much for this post and your time.

Kind Regards,
Lucy

[Jessica]

I'm sure you can't exactly take the time to answer my question, but I've enjoyed looking at your blog and I just wonder how did you get into this?
I'm in high school right now and I really would love to do what you're doing someday. I love photography and fabric, and any other kind of art.

Were you in photography clubs in high school? Did you go to art school to design fabric, or did you just start on your own? How do you get these opportunities??

Thanks!
Jessica

[Patti Carbonneau]

Hi Sandi -

First of all you are a great inspiration to us all who strive to do what we love!!!

I am curious - You mentioned you use a Wacom Tablet. I am in the process of doing research and possibly buying one for my design work. If you wouldn't mind - Which one do you use or would you recommend.

Thanks for your help !!! Patti

[Hajara]

Hi Sandi,you are one in a million.As I am made to understand not all designers share this type of infos but you are a blessing to so many of us wannabe designers.I am on maternity leave in the UK,and am thinking of giving this dream of mine a go.I actually want to do beddings,quilts and cushions,but have decided to design my own fabrics and make my beddings.You have inspired me to the core.Ican't stop drooling over your fabrics,its like drugs,Ilove beddings and quilts so much your work is truly first class.Keep up the good work. Giood Luck

[Kelly]

Hi Sandi,I love your website!You are so talented.I have some design ideas for fabric,but do not know how to go about actually getting them on fabric.What mills would give me the time of day,what does it usually cost and how much of a sample of my work would I have to submit??? I am clueless,I hope maybe you can point me in the right direction and any added info would be so helpful.Thank You so much!

[Sara Priebe]

What size would the sample need to be - considering how the repeat may work? I'm thinking in a digital format - say Illustrator. Thanks!! Absolutely love your work.