Hi friends!
I have started branching out, learning and doing some new things one of which is working in Surface Pattern Design.
Surface Pattern Design
You may wonder- what is that? Well, basically, it is the creation of artwork to be used on the surface of a product- think fabric, wallpaper, journal covers and wrapping paper to name a few products.
Patterns are everywhere- in our rugs, our curtains, our dishes, the prints on our walls, the fabric we buy to make a quilt, stationary…. as you look around, you see patterns everywhere!
I have always been intrigued with the idea of creating patterns to put on fabric and stationary.
But there was always on thing holding me back- creating artwork. My favorite thing to do as a child? Color in coloring books. I think I was doing that even as a teenager! But, my art classes were limited to the standard sessions given in grade school and high school. I spent more of my time in English and college prep classes.
I wanted to take more art courses, but I didn’t think I was an artist or had any talent.
Can any of you relate?
Dipping my toe in Surface Pattern Design
I went to college, studied to be a registered nurse and, after getting married and having children and working as a nurse for many years, I started a quilt pattern business with a friend. It was a way to create and design. And, after we had been in business for a while, a quilter we respected came to us and said, you need to go to this Craft and Hobby show. Your quilt designs could end up being surface patterns for things like pillows or stationary.
What? I am not an artist! Only artists can have their designs on things like that!
First Experience
But, we were intrigued (and excited!) so we went with a few of our designs in a notebook, shown as wrapping paper, stationary and even as a square for a pillow. We walked the show, took in all the different venders and opportunities, took in some lectures and then attended a get together where aspiring and current surface pattern designers were gathering and exchanging information and support.
Only we did not get support. When a few of the attendees found out we had not gone to school for art, or really did not have any art background, they were very dismissive and told us we did not belong there. They literally pointed us to the door. Really, now that I think about it, they were the artistic version of mean girls!
But I believed them. It fed into my sense that I was not an artist. I was not good enough.
It took me many years and some outside encouragement to try again. But I did! My goal was to create designs that could be on fabric, stationary or who knows what!
I took some classes on how to make repeating designs in the computer and how to turn my silly little sketches into designs. I will never be a fine artist and that’s ok. But I can be a fabric and surface pattern designer.
Fabric Designs
Oh wait! I am! I am now a fabric designer. In my last post here I chatted about it a little.
I have been so lucky to work with Island Batik and they have been so helpful and encouraging. My first line, Blooming, a digital fabric line should be in stores soon. It will be so exciting to see the fabric in person and create some quilts with it.
I have another line, a batik one, that will be shown to shops in the spring and hopefully out in stores in late summer/early fall. Sample yardage is here and I am making quilts right now; it is killing me that I can’t share it with all of you yet!
What have I learned?
What have I learned from these experiences? That if you want something you need to work at it, you need to push past the voices that tell you you can’t. Both the ones in your head and the ones in your environment. Trying something new takes time, energy and the willingness to make crap.
Yes, you need to be willing to make bad stuff.
It is kind of like trying a new quilt technique. You need to be willing to get it wrong a few times until you practice it enough to get it right.
Wait- what? Practice? You mean mom was right????
I am so excited to learn new things and to take my designing in a new direction. Who knows? Maybe I will get some of my designs on other products as well. I hope you will come along on my journey!
happy quilting!
Kate
p.s. My business name has been Kate Colleran Designs, LLC since just before my business partner retired. My quilt pattern line has always been Seams Like A Dream Quilt Designs. I am slowly re-branding everything to use just my business name; to be able to have one place for all my creative work- quilting and designing.
I mentioned this in this post if you want to know more.
p.p.s. I will be LIVE on Facebook tomorrow, Thursday Jan 13th at 11am MT to show some of my quilts from last year! And to take any questions you may have for me.
p.p.p.s One of the courses I taped for Quilting Daily on the Log Cabin block is going to available again soon! Sign up now to be able to take this course! Early bird signups end soon! Click here.
