I have been playing around a little with Inkscape lately, with a view to designing some fabric. I have so many ideas I'm not sure where to start, so I've been flitting back and forth, trying out new things. I have found these Inkscape tutorials to be a really good starting point. There are heaps of nifty little tricks you can learn which will help to reduce beginner frustration. I should add that if you are not familiar with Inkscape, it is an open-source, vector drawing program, similar to Illustrator. The best part, Open Source = FREE! It also runs on Linux, Apple and Windows.
Once I get my fabric designs all worked out and I am happy with them, I plan to get them digitally printed by Spoonflower. Spoonflower is an awesome business who custom print fabric. You can get your designs printed on different types and weights of fabric. It is only $1 to get a swatch booklet of the different fabric types, and $1 to get the colour guide, also printed on fabric. There is also a much larger colour guide, with lots more colours, that you can get printed on a yard of fabric for $18.
Have you ever wanted to design yor own fabric? What sort of designs would you do, or like to see someone else do? Have you already designed your own fabric? Do you have any advice for me, or others who are just at the beginning of their fabric designing journey?
Would you like to see what everyone else is up to in their Creative Spaces this week?
Open source software ... the best value for money :) .... and Inkscape is one of my favourites.
ReplyDeleteI love Spoonflower! I'm still working on my design too.. but there are some really fantastic ones on the site! Considering that you get to design your own, the prices are really reasonable :)
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I didn't know when I started was instead of buying lots of little $5 swatches as test prints, you can group all of your designs and have then printed onto yardage and it's cheaper overall!
ReplyDeleteAlso - red is a really hard colour to get right.
I would love to have a go one day !
ReplyDeleteYou've won me with the paisley!
ReplyDeleteBugger - wish I'd known about a free version - just ordered Adobe Illustrator on Friday!
ReplyDeleteYes I'd love to have a go at designing fabric - but an item printed so you just cut out and sew.
Yep. I want to print my own fabric... and seem to be on the same journey as you... got the books, got the ideas, ... need more time to play!!!
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