We couldn’t be more excited to announce that our next instalment of The Designer Project will be focusing on the incredible work of Sydney-based designer Susanna Jarman! Susanna’s passion for homemaking, love of all things 1960’s and 1970’s and experience working as a Studio Manager in a Graphic Design and Print Company have all influenced her approach to creating surface pattern designs. The artist produces her surface designs through the label “Elm Road” which is named after the road that her grandparent’s home was on.
Susanna is typically inspired by nature, especially the beautiful surrounds of the Northern Beaches which is where she lives. The designer creates prints which are clean, bold and colourful, and we simply can’t get enough! We’re thrilled that Susanna has made a range of her stunning designs available in our Fabric Shop online and can’t wait to see all the different types of projects you introduce them to! Below we’ve shared a little bit about each of the designs, including the designer’s inspiration and the different types of products we would love to see them used for. Keep reading to find out more about Susanna’s delightful designs!
Sydney’s summer played a huge role in inspiring Susanna’s “Hibiscus” design, with the colour range based on beautiful chilled summer fruits; limes, tangerines and oranges. “Hibiscus” visualises the artists happy memories of swimming, surfing and spending nights socialising and laughing with friends. Simple lines and solid bright colours are the perfect combination! “Hibiscus” is available in three gorgeous colourways; “Tangerine”, “Lime” and “Orange and Lilac”.
“Hibiscus” is a wonderfully versatile print and would be great for swimwear and beachwear, outdoor living, kaftans and bedding.
“Rocks Skandi” is a hand-drawn pattern that kept changing over time. Simplicity became key with this design, focusing on the form of the strong motifs and richness of the mossy tones.
“Rocks Skandi” is a truly timeless design to use across homewares and fashion. We would love to see the design used for skirts, dresses, wide leg pants and bedding!
“Hydrangea Moptop” is inspired by Susanna’s whimsical childhood memories of playing amongst the colourful hydrangeas at her grandparents’ home on Elm Road. The design features a crisp illustrations of the flowers resulting in floral print that feels contemporary and versatile. “Hydrangea Moptop” is available in two stunning colourways; “Cream” and “Buff”.
“Hydrangea Moptop” would be a fantastic design to use for wallpaper, upholstery and soft furnishings.
“Hydrangea Lacecap Steely Blue” is also inspired by the thick bed of hydrangeas at the designer’s grandparents’ home. To this day the flowers still offer a deep sense of warmth and security. The design features stripped back hydrangea motifs set against a heavenly cool background. (“Hydrangea Lacecap Steely Blue” has more negative space between the floral motifs when compared with the similar “Hydrangea Moptop” print.)
We think “Hydrangea Lacecap Steely Blue” would be gorgeous to use for tableware, statement cushion covers and bedding.
The possibilities really are endless with these designs and our suggestions above are just to get the creative wheels turning! Each of Susanna’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online, choose the design you would like to use, and select the base cloth that’s right for your project!
Thrilled to share that next up as The Designer Project’s feature artist is designer Ianny Munari Bastos. Ianny is originally from Brazil and has been based in Sydney for the last four years. The surface pattern designer is the creative genius behind IMB Design, a label which offers beautifully illustrated t-shirts for the whole family. Ianny has a background in fashion and a passion for drawing which has led her to creating prints and patterns for both interiors and fashion. Vintage inspired and dark hand-painted designs are Ianny’s signature as she aims to celebrate the unique beauty of nature and simple treasures.
We’re feeling incredibly fortunate to be featuring Ianny’s talents for this instalment of The Designer Project which includes the designer making a range of her stunningly intricate designs available in our Fabric Shop online. Ianny’s “Jasmine Bloom” collection is inspired by the scent of the delicate white flowers which remind the designer of home. Below we’ve shared a little more about each of the designs in the collection and the different types of projects we think they are best suited for!
“Jasmine Garden” is a delicate design with beautifully illustrated butterflies nestled amongst the muted pink florals. The print is a dreamy display of vintage romance.
We would love to see “Jasmine Garden” used for flowy blouses and pocket squares.
“Night Jasmine” is a dark and mysterious floral print that celebrates beauty and elegance. The colourful outline only floral motifs provide movement and bursts of light throughout the moody design.
We think “Night Jasmine” would be a gorgeous design to use for evening-wear head scarves and camisoles.
“Evening Jasmine” uses muted and earthy tones to create a vintage feel, whilst the pops of vermillion give the design a contemporary touch. The design features layers of illustrated motifs resulting in a rich artwork that’s easy to get lost in!
“Evening Jasmine” is a perfect print for fashion applications, which would work particularly well for dresses, blouses and men’s button up shirts.
“Jasmine Jungle” has a dark olive background which gives the design a utilitarian feel. The intricately drawn flower motifs pop against the richness of the design.
We think “Jasmine Jungle” would be a fantastic design to use for tailored jackets and tailored shorts.
“Jasmine Scent” is a soft, romantic and ethereal print. The design pairs dusty and muted shades to create a floral print which feels unisex and versatile.
“Jasmine Scent” would work well for men’s shirts, summer dresses and swimwear.
All of the ideas listed above are suggestions only as the possibilities with these designs are truly endless. Each of the designs from Ianny’s “Jasmine Bloom” collection are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics and can be found in our Fabric Shop!
We’re so excited to announce that for our newest instalment of The Designer Project we will be focusing on the fantastically fun work of Melbourne-based surface designer and maker Beck Ng! Beck initially worked as a graphic designer before finding a passion for surface design. Now the maker showcases her designs on gorgeous paper and fabric products through her label Fabric Drawer.
Beck finds inspiration from her travels, everyday life and the city she calls home, with her designs often sporting playful shapes, florals and quirky animal motifs. Her crisp graphic style and love of colour can be seen throughout a range of stunning designs which the designer has made available in our Fabric Shop online. We’re so excited to Becks’s designs with you all and can’t wait to see the different types of projects you use them for! Below we’ve shared a little about each of Beck’s designs and the different types of applications we think they would be perfect for. Keep reading to find out more about Beck Ng’s charming designs!
“Colourful Blooms” had a bit of a bumpy start creatively. The elements were meant to be used for a different design however Beck felt it wasn’t quite right. Determined to use the stunning floral motifs the design was completely overhauled to create this very fun celebration of all things floral!
We would love to see “Colourful Blooms” used for kitchen and dining accessories such as playful aprons and tablecloths.
“Full Bloom Pink” is a wonderfully feminine print with gorgeous flower motifs. We love seeing the weight of the flowers play against the humble stems.
We think “Full Bloom Pink” would be a perfect choice for small accessories and bed wear.
“In The Meadow Strike” is a fun and richly coloured print! Beck felt drawn to creating cat prints despite never owning one. The feeling seems to have foretold the designer’s exciting news that she adopted her first kitten this year!
“In The Meadow Strike” is the perfect statement print for tote bags and soft purses.
“Siesta Blue” features gorgeously sleepy lion motifs tucked away with playfully illustrated leaves and flowers. “Siesta Blue” celebrates negative space leaving plenty of breathing room between the elements.
We think “Siesta Blue” is perfect for tote bags and drawstring backpacks!
“Paper Cut Shapes Light” is a playful experiment using bold block shapes. We love the pairing of graphic motifs with a warm, pastel colour palette that just begs for the return of summer!
“Paper Cut Shapes Light” would be great across both fashion and homewares! Cushion covers, wide leg pants and swimwear are just a few ideas that spring to mind!
“Roar Neon” was inspired by one of Beck’s favourite camping spots and features such a joyous use of bright colours throughout. The motifs have a paper-cut style feel to them and are so perfectly nestled against the crisp white background.
“Roar Neon” is the perfect statement fashion print! We think this design is perfect for oversized bags and summer dresses.
“Sleepy Animals Light” captures an imagined garden and features Beck’s pet rabbit Snowy! The designer thinks it’s fantastic to add a little of yourself to your patterns, and we couldn’t agree more!
“Sleepy Animals Light” would be a great design to use for kids wear and bed wear!
“Under The Sea Light” was drawn when the designer was staying by the beach for a family holiday. Whilst the designer might not be too keen on heading far out into the ocean, she was more than happy to bring the ocean to her surface designs.
“Under The Sea Light” would be a fantastic design to use for kids apparel and swimwear.
All of our suggestions above are simply starting points to help get those ideas flowing! Each of Beck’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics and can all be found in our Fabric Shop. Simply choose your design and the fabric that suits your project best. It’s that easy to order custom designer fabric!
We’re thrilled to announce that our next feature artist in The Designer Project is Brisbane-based artist Tina Dinte! Tina works as a full-time artist whose love of drawing and a background in graphic design has been the perfect storm to create her illustrative, surface design focused practice One Blu Eye. Tina is largely inspired by the nature that surrounds her and the everyday, and uses her colourful catalogue of original paintings to further inspire and inform her surface pattern designs.
As part of The Designer Project Tina has made a range of her stunningly detailed designs available as print-ready artwork in our Fabric Shop online and we cannot wait to see the types of projects you use them for! Tina’s designs are bursting with vivid colour palettes and awe-inspiring layers of texture, linework and motifs. The range feels both decadent and playful and we’re certain you’ll fall just in love with them as we have. Below we’ve shared a little about each of the designs, including what inspired their creation and the types of projects we think they’d be perfect for. Keep reading to find out more about Tina Dinte’s designs!
“Australian River Flower” is a richly coloured abstract piece inspired by a visit to the Queensland Art Gallery. The digital illustration was drawn whilst sitting in the gallery surrounded by iconic artworks whilst the super-imposed abstract has been taken from Tina’s original painting “Overlooking the Dam in Drought”
We think “Australian River Flower” would be a gorgeous design to use for swimwear and beach bags.
“Dalia Dragonfruit Blooms” is a fantastic celebration of colour and is Tina’s first exotic fruit designs which she intends to become a series. The design pairs digital illustration with close-up fragments of her painting “Nourishment of the Sea”. The design is named after the foliage that blooms from the top of a dragon fruit.
“Dalia Dragonfruit Blooms” would be the perfect design to use for statement kitchen and dining accessories, such as aprons, tea towels and tableware.
“Mrs Pink Lips” is a really playful design centred around a fabulously fun character Mrs Pink Lips. The design layers illustrative elements through the mop of curly locks, the full hot pink & plum pout and quirky linework.
We would love to see “Mrs Pink Lips” used for wonderfully unique upholstery and curtains.
“Pastel Blue Blossoms” is a hypnotic abstract design which perfectly balances pastel and deep hues. The design was inspired by a visit to the Queensland Art Gallery and was drawn whilst surrounded by the incredible pieces in the gallery. The design pairs a digital illustration with a superimposed abstract taken from Tina’s painting “Australian Aurora Burst”.
“Pastel Blue Blossoms” would be a gorgeous design to use for bedding, scarves and co-ordinate outfits.
“Plum Grapes” is a wonderfully rich design, layering warm earthy hues with endless illustrative shapes and lines. The abstract piece has used elements from Tina’s original painting “Overlooking the Dam in Drought”.
“Plum Grapes” would be a fantastic choice for cushion covers and soft accessories.
“Cheeky White Cockatoo” is inspired by the iconic, native Australian bird and Tina’s own collection of Australian fauna artworks. The design pairs playfully drawn cockatoo motifs with a textured soft pink background.
We think “Cheeky White Cockatoo” would be an excellent choice for Summer dresses and statement garment lining for tailored pieces.
Each of Tina’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online, choose the design you’d like to print and select the base cloth that’s right for your project!
After taking some time out over the Christmas and New Year period we are so excited to be kicking off our first instalment of The Designer Project for 2021 with Daniela Glassop! Daniela is a Newcastle based artist and designer who was trained as a visual artist and graphic designer. Despite her technical training Daniela also loves working with her hands, and loves to make things with fabric, cook, and garden.
After completing a degree in Art and Design, along with an art teaching qualification, Daniela has worked in the design industry in both Sydney in Newcastle, has freelanced as a graphic designer and illustrator and taught at the University of Newcastle.
Daniela is inspired by design history, vintage goods, trompe l’oeil (the art of creating optical illusions on a flat surface), fashion and the natural world. As part of The Designer Project Daniela has made a range of her stunning, nature inspired designs available as print-ready artwork in our Fabric Shop online! Below we’ve shared a little about each of the designs and the types of projects we think they would be great for. Keep reading to find out more about Daniela’s designs!
“Botanical Collage” is inspired by traditional botanical illustrations. Daniela puts her own spin on this style of illustration by creating the flower motifs from collaged paper. The background features faded lettering reminiscent of field notes used to capture new flora species.
“Botanical Collage” would be a fantastic design to use for tableware, soft accessories and garment lining.
“Australian Flora, Birds, Butterflies and Bees” features a range of native flora and wildlife in a tessellating grid pattern allowing each of the individual scenes to sing. The design balances vivid and muted colours to create a rich yet versatile colour palette.
“Australian Flora, Birds, Butterflies and Bees” would be perfect for statement tableware and cushion covers.
“White Butterflies” pairs a simple mauve and white colour palette with illustrated butterfly and botanic motifs. “White Butterflies” is a gorgeously whimsical print!
We would love to see “White Butterflies” used for camisoles, undergarments and soft accessories.
“Flannel Flowers” is a stunning example of less being more! “Flannel Flowers” features delicate Flannel Flower motifs set against a soft jade green background.
“Flannel Flowers” would be a great choice for t-shirts and hair ties.
“Native Wildflower Silhouettes” celebrates the unique beauty of native flowers by creating this statement silhouette print. The block shape motifs are set against a textured, soft blue background.
We think “Native Wildflower Silhouettes” would be perfect for summer dresses, a-line skirts and oversized bags.
“Superb Flannel Flowers” uses a restricted colour palette of the soft green shades that can be seen in Flannel Flowers. The design nestles Superb Fairy Wren and Common Blue Butterfly motifs amongst the floral motifs, to create a fantastically detailed print.
“Superb Flannel Flowers” would be a great choice for button-up short sleeve shirts and cosmetic pouches.
“Wildflowers Woodcut” was inspired by woodblock designs, and uses Australian native flowers for their incredibly beautiful shapes. “Wildflowers Woodcut” uses a restricted colour palette to allow for the focus to be on the unique shapes of the floral motifs.
We think “Wildflowers Woodcut” would be great for both fashion and homewares applications and would especially love to see the design used to create dresses or bedding.
“Australian Bush Flowers” is bursting with gorgeously detailed native floral motifs. This design is simply a joy to get lost in!
“Australian Bush Flowers” would be a stunning design to use for bedding as well as tailored blouses and jackets!
The possibilities are truly endless with Daniela Glassop’s heavenly designs and our ideas above are suggestions only! Each of Daniela’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online, choose the design and then select the base cloth that’s right for your project!
Next up as our feature artist in The Designer Project is prolific artist Sue Michael who hails from South Australia! Sue began her working life as a Registered Nurse but later completed a Bachelor of Visual Art and Applied Design in 2004 and has continued working and studying in the creative space. Most recently Sue completed her PhD in Visual Art researching the wider understandings that painters can consider when exploring the meanings imbued within places.
Sue is a painter of everyday life using lived experiences and field studies rather than imaginings and we are so thrilled to be sharing her work with you! The artist has made a range of her stunning hand-painted works available as print-ready artwork in our Fabric Shop online through her “Everyday Life” Collection. Differing from a lot of our previous feature artists, Sue’s collection is predominantly made up of captivating placement prints rather than yardage designs. Below we’ve shared a little about each of the designs as well as the different types of projects we think each would be perfect for.
“Carol’s Garden” is inspired by Sue’s friend Carol picking flowers from her garden in Clarendon, South Australia. “We used to raid her family’s dairy farm for ‘black gold’… the large nuggets that grew the most incredible vegetables back in the city.” “Carol’s Garden” is a placement print design 30x30cm in size.
“Carol’s Garden” is a fantastic design to use for cushion covers and tote bags.
“Beach Shack Green Fields” is inspired by a scene from a mid-20th century 35mm slide. The location of the beach is unknown. “Beach Shack Green Fields” is a placement print design 32x32cm in size and is an accompanying piece to “Beach Shack Fields”.
“Beach Shack Green Fields” would be perfect for cushion covers and tote bags.
“Beach Shack Fields” features an aerial view of beach shacks from another era when there was plenty of space between the structures. The soft grey shacks really pop out from the emerald background. “Beach Shack Fields” is an accompanying design to “Beach Shack Green Fields”.
We think “Beach Shack Fields” would be a stunning design for slip dresses and garment lining.
“Eyre Beach Shack” features the interior of a beach shack on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. There is comfort in these simple dwellings, that seem to beckon and welcome the playing of board games whilst the summer flies buzz and the sunshine streams in. “Eyre Beach Shack” is a placement print design 32x32cm and is an accompanying piece to “Eyre Polka Ovals”.
“Eyre Beach Shack” is a perfect design for cushion covers, backpacks and tea towels.
“Eyre Polka Ovals” features delicately painted framed ovals reminiscent of traditional picture frames and elaborate buttons. “Eyre Polka Ovals” is an accompanying design to “Eyre Beach Shack”
We think “Eyre Polka Ovals” would be a fantastic design for soft accessories, full-piece swimsuits and bags.
“Second Valley Shells” is inspired by Second Valley; a secluded seaside village, seemingly untouched from the commercial modern world. It still hosts small, quaint shacks just a short walk from a view of endless ancient hills. “Second Valley Shells” is a placement print design 31x31cm and is an accompanying piece to “Second Valley Pebbles”.
“Second Valley Shells” would be a gorgeous choice for cushion covers, scarves and throws.
“Second Valley Pebbles” is also inspired by the secluded seaside village Second Valley. Here the grey stones can have white cake icing like marks. “Second Valley Pebbles” is an accompanying design to “Second Valley Shells”.
“Second Valley Pebbles” is an excellent choice for soft accessories and garment lining.
“Shack Bay” features the old shacks well-known to travellers south of Adelaide. The shacks are surrounded by ancient hills and have only a dirt track to their doorways. “Shack Bay” is a placement print design 32x32cm in size and is an accompanying piece to “Polka Dots Shack Bay”.
“Shack Bay” is a great design to use for cushion covers and tote bags.
“Polka Dots Shack Bay” features delicately painted, organically shaped dot motifs. The polka dots set against a navy background feel like stars against a dark sky. “Polka Dots Shack Bay” is an accompanying design to “Shack Bay”.
We think “Polka Dots Shack Bay” would be an excellent choice for bikinis, evening hair scarves and garment lining.
“Wendy’s Garden” features a petal arrangement made by keen gardener Wendy. The flowers were picked from her home in Adelaide. “Wendy’s Garden” is a placement print design 30x30cm in size.
“Wendy’s Garden” would be a stunning design to use for cushion covers and panels for quilting.
“Squatter’s Dream” is inspired by the early Australian, Alistair Clark bred rose of the same name which has just a handful of soft yellow and blush petals. Featured in the design is a petal arrangement, which are often made when there are only a few flowers left in the summer garden. “Squatter’s Dream” is a placement print design 33x33cm in size.
We would love to see “Squatter’s Dream” used for cushion covers and picnic throws.
“Island Spray” features a stunning landscape painting with a graphic monochrome border framing the scene. “Island Spray” is a placement print design 30x30cm in size.
“Island Spray” would be a perfect design for cushion covers and tote bags.
“Cloud Puff Bay” captures a scene of early beach shacks at Willunga, South Australia and is inspired by old 35mm slides. There isn’t as much space between the shacks now. Once upon a time you could see the slight curve of the earth from your window here as it was an endless view. “Cloud Puff Bay” is a placement print design 30x30cm in size.
“Cloud Puff Bay” is a fantastic design to use for cushion covers and panels for quilting.
Each of the designs in Sue’s “Everyday Life” Collection is available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simple head to our Fabric Shop online, choose the design and then select the base cloth that’s right for your project!
We’re thrilled to announce that the next feature artist in The Designer Project is surface pattern designer Sarah Ossitt! Sarah is based in Sydney and is the creative genius behind Sazerelli Designs. Sarah creates fun prints and patterns with bright colours which are intended to make you smile. All of Sarah’s designs begin with hand-drawn elements or are digitally drawn onto her iPad. Sarah believes it’s the small imperfections in her initial drawings which give character to each of her designs.
As part of The Designer Project Sarah has made a range of her gorgeous designs available as print-ready artwork. Sarah’s “Dancing Flowers” and “Moments” collections can be found in our Fabric Shop online! The range features quirky florals, organic renditions of geometric staples and a warm colour palette. Below we’ve shared a little about each of the designs and the types of DIY projects we would love to see them used for. Keep reading to find out more about Sarah Ossitt’s designs!
“Dancing Flowers” Collection
“Autumn Days” features a leaf print with warm oranges and peaches offset against navy and sage. The tumbling leaf arrangement in the design feels like the embodiment of Autumn!
We think “Autumn Days” would be the perfect print for silky pyjamas and camisoles.
“Honey Spots” is a warm ditsy polka dot which balances a bright golden honey colour with deep raspberry coloured spots.
“Honey Spots” would be a fantastic design for soft accessories and short-sleeved button up shirts.
“Spring Flowers” features boldly shaped pink florals set against a warm watermelon backdrop. The variety of shapes found amongst the floral motifs makes the print feel dynamic.
“Spring Flowers” would be a gorgeous design for summer dresses and kitchen accessories.
“Ditsy Flowers” is a fun and colourful ditsy floral design filled with vibrant flower and leaf motifs.
We would love to see “Ditsy Flowers” used for either summer dresses, mid-length silky skirts or soft accessories.
“Summer Flowers” is the perfect statement floral print! The design features boldly illustrated flower motifs in a gorgeous golden hue.
“Summer Flowers” would be a great design to use for skirts or retro inspired jumpsuits.
“Retro Vibes” is a retro inspired floral balancing a soft warm colour palette of cream, pink and soft mustard.
We think “Retro Vibes” would a fantastic design to use for summer pyjamas and cosmetic pouches.
“Rusty Heart” is a wonderfully minimal design with delicate pink leaf motifs set against a deep rust coloured background.
“Blue Grid” is a wonderful example of why simplicity sometimes is the best! “Blue Grid” is a bold blue grid designs with softer edges than your usual grid or check print.
“Blue Grid” would be an ideal choice for boxer shorts, board shorts or cigarette trousers.
“Diamonds for Days” is a playful design featuring diamond motifs. “Diamonds for Days” feels like a quirky graphic take on the classic snake print.
We think “Diamonds for Days” would be stunning choice scarves and skirts.
“Dance” is a big, bold and beautiful floral print with flower and leaf motifs which feel as though they’re dancing!
We would love to see “Dance” used for statement bedding and cushion covers!
“Moments” Collection
“Squares and Stripes” is a statement graphic print created from hand-drawn shapes and elements. “Squares and Stripes” reminds us of mid-century textile designs.
“Squares and Stripes” would be the perfect design to use for activewear, button-up shirts and blouses and shift dresses.
“Windows” is a bold geo pattern which balances warm peach and mustard hues with a dusty blue background.
We think “Windows” would be a great choice for singlets, t-shirts and headscarves.
“Dots and Dashes” takes a really fun approach to creating a stripe print! This mid-scale print allows the motifs to really pop by setting them against a mint coloured background.
“Dots and Dashes” would be the perfect print for beach bags and tote bags as well as cute summer playsuits!
“Spotty Stripe” features a decorative stripe print reminiscent of hanging fairy lights against the setting sun.
We think “Spotty Stripe” would be an excellent choice for bikinis, over-sized scrunchies, bow-ties and pocket squares.
“Bricks” is a really versatile graphic print balancing perfectly imperfect navy motifs with a rich mustard background.
“Bricks” would be a great choice for summer shorts and cropped jackets.
“Whale” is a playful print with graphic motifs which look like whales swimming in the ocean!
We would love to see “Whale” used for button up shirts, co-ordinating sets and tailored shorts.
Each of the designs from Sarah’s “Dancing Flowers” and “Moments” collections are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online, choose the design and then select the base cloth that’s right for your project!
Next up as our feature artist in The Designer Project is the ultra talented creative Rachel Darling and we are so thrilled to be sharing her work with you all! Rachel is a self-taught illustrator, artist and designer living in the coastal suburb of Largs Bay, South Australia. The designer finds inspiration from nature, everyday encounters with interesting textures and colours, and her home studio which she shares with a very cute and curious Jack Russel pup called Lottie.
Rachel has worked on a variety of different projects including children’s book illustrations, branding, stationary, event signage and public murals. Fortunately for us Rachel has a sweet spot for surface pattern design and has made a range of her gorgeous designs available in our Fabric Shop online! Rachel’s “Peninsula” Collection features beautifully illustrated motifs and a rich colour palette, and is inspired by the natural wonders around Largs Bay. Below we’ve shared a bit more about each of the designs and the types of projects we would love to see them used for. Keep reading to find out more about Rachel’s “Peninsula” Collection.
“Peninsula Posy” is the hero design of the collection, featuring delicately drawn motifs of flowers and plants which can be found on the LeFevre Peninsula in South Australia. “Peninsula Posy” is available in three colourways; “Black”, “Sand” and “Rust”.
“Peninsula Posy” would be a fantastic design to use for tableware, cushion covers and slip dresses.
“Spring Begins” captures the yellow flowers which first begin to appear in Rachel’s seaside suburb just as Winter comes to an end. Along with the blooms come sunshine, sweet-scented air, an eagerness for warmer weather and an abundance for new life. “Spring Begins” is available in two colourways; “Moss” and “Sky”.
“Spring Begins” would be a perfect design for either mid-length skirts and dresses as well as hair scarves.
“Train Station Blooms” is a fantastic reminder that beauty really is everywhere if you’re willing to look. The design is inspired by pretty yellow flowers unexpectedly found tucked away against a grey sky and railway tracks while waiting for the train one morning. “Train Station Blooms” is available in three colourways; “Dark Moss”, “Deep Sea” and “Stone”.
We think “Train Station Blooms” would be a gorgeous design to use for bedding, napkins and tablecloths.
“Neapolitan” is inspired by the array of unexpected colours found in the sand dunes of the LeFevre Peninsula. The design features intricately drawn botanic motifs and is available in three colourways; “Deep Sea”, “Foliage” and “Stone”.
“Neapolitan” would be a gorgeous design to use for evening wear and garment lining and trims.
“Wisp” features one beautifully illustrated floral motif which is carefully repeated to create an organic feeling design, balancing long strands of delicate leaves with gentle buds. “Wisp” is available in two colourways “Black” and “Sand”.
We think “Wisp” would be a stunning design to use for curtains and statement cushion covers.
“Beach Wattle” is inspired by the plant of the same name which grows in abundance along the LeFevre coastline, adding a sprinkle of sun yellow to the walking tracks. “Beach Wattle” is available in three colourways; “Green”, “Mustard” and “Sea”.
“Beach Wattle” would be a great design for overall dresses and wide leg summer pants.
“Yellow Daisy Magic” is inspired by the cute daisies which grown in bunches amongst the sand dunes of the LeFevre peninsula. The design is available in two different styles across four different colourways; “Moss”, “Basic Mustard”, “Ocean” and “Basic Ocean”.
“Yellow Daisy Magic” would be ideal for short-sleeved button-up shirts, small accessories and garment lining.
The possibilities really are endless with these designs and our suggestions above are just to get the creative wheels turning. Each of the designs from Rachel’s “Peninsula” Collection is available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online, choose the designs and then select the base cloth that’s right for your project!
We’re so excited to announce that our newest feature artist in The Designer Project is designer Tammy de Zilva. Tammy is the surface pattern designer behind Loopla – a Brisbane-based business which creates vibrant, retro-inspired designs with striking graphics and colours. Tammy’s designs are inspired by nature, everyday encounters, playing with her son and her extensive travels.
As part of The Designer Project Tammy has made a range of her eye-catching designs available to use in our Fabric Shop online – introducing the “Playground Stories” Collection. “Playground Stories” is inspired by the imagination and creativity found with children’s storytelling, with designs featuring whimsical motifs and colours that pop. Below we’ve shared more about each of the designs and have included some DIY ideas we think each would be perfect for. Keep reading to find out more about Tammy’s “Playground Stories” Collection!
“Happy Flowers” is a bright and cheerful floral print that features crisp shapes and a colour palette that packs a punch! With the vibrant colours set against a muted navy background “Happy Flowers” is a fantastic example of a versatile statement print.
“Happy Flowers” would be great design to use for summer dresses, cushion covers and towels.
“Floral Lines” is inspired by flowers blowing in the breeze on a sunny day in spring! The wonky lines nestled amongst the floral motifs adds a touch of playfulness to the gorgeous design.
We would love to see “Floral Lines” used for a cute summer playsuit or a retro style full piece swimsuit!
“Spring Joy” celebrates all the things we love about spring – birds chirping, pineapples being in season, flowers blooming and fun in the sun. This design is bursting with motifs and details and we simply can’t get enough of!
“Spring Joy” would be such a cute design to use for button-up, short sleeve shirts, hair ties and bandanas.
“Garden Bunny” was inspired by stories of bunnies frolicking through gardens and features super sweet, vintage inspired motifs. The combination of pink, blue and white results in a really fun feeling design.
“Garden Bunny” would be a great choice for kids clothing, pyjamas and summer bed robes.
“Bear Faces” is a super sweet novelty print featuring adorable bear motifs. The loosely drawn stripe in the background frames the bears beautifully and gives the design added dimension.
“Bear Faces” is a perfect design for kids clothing, kids bedding, boxer shorts and pyjamas.
“Going Bananas” is a playful, fruity print that transforms the humble everyday banana into an unexpected explosion of pink and orange fun! The design features gorgeously illustrated banana motifs with sweet spotty skin textures.
“Going Bananas” is a fantastic design to use for statement bedding, beach bags and wide leg pants.
“Beach Days” instantly evokes images of a summer beach holiday – chasing seagulls and indulging in tropical drinks and afternoon ice creams. “Beach Days” is wonderful, smile-inducing novelty print perfect for kids and big kids alike.
We think “Beach Days” is perfect for kids clothing, kids swimwear, pencil cases and cosmetic pouches.
“Licorice Allsorts” is a tribute to the old days of riding bikes to the corner store and buying lollies with your friends. This design pairs geometric forms and deliciously sweet colours to create the perfect nostalgic print.
“Licorice Allsorts” would be a wonderful design for co-ordinate sets and cute shift dresses.
Who doesn’t love listening to rain falling on the roof? “Raindrops” perfectly captures the joy of being warm and snuggled-up inside on a rainy day.
We think “Raindrops” would be a gorgeous design to use for tailored summer shorts and swimwear.
Each of the designs from Tammy’s “Playground Stories” collection is available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online, choose the designs and then select the base cloth that’s right for your project – it’s that easy!
Next up as our feature artist in The Designer Project is print and collage maker Ariane Nijssen and we’re really excited to be sharing her work with you! Ariane is the ultra-talented powerhouse behind surface design focused studio Aribombari. Ariane is a self-taught surface pattern designer from Perth, Western Australia, and after a twenty-year career in marketing she decided she wanted to focus on her creative side. Ariane ignited her love for paper, bright colours and texture when she discovered the endless possibilities that gelatine printing provides. Once Ariane’s designs began to stack-up she began branching out to collage and surface pattern as a way of sharing her work with others.
Nature proves to be one of Ariane’s biggest sources of inspiration, and she often uses real leaves and floral elements when printing designs at home. Ariane’s analogue print, papercut and collage methodology creates designs which retain the type of magic reserved for the hand-made. We absolutely love that Ariane has made a range of her gorgeously rich and detailed designs available to use in our Fabric Shop online and have shared the different types of projects we think they would be perfect below!
Ariane’s “Summer Treats” design began as a series of hand-printed paper pieces which were used to create individual mini collaged icy pole motifs. The layering of so many different textures and colours is what gives this nostalgic print it’s character!
“Summer Treats” would be a fantastic choice for children’s clothing and swimwear.
Oranges, lemons and kumquats – oh my! “Zesty Citrus” is a fresh feeling print with wonderfully bold fruit imagery. The original fruit slice motifs are made from small paper collages and is reminiscent of artwork from “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”.
We think “Zesty Citrus” would be a gorgeous design to use for kitchen accessories, tableware and statement cushion covers.
“Fish Market” is inspired by Ariane’s early morning trips to a local fish monger and features quirky paper-cut fish motifs nestled against a soft net-like check. The design offers a really playful approach to layout with the variation in motif size and direction.
“Fish Market” would work really well for kitchen accessories and bedding.
“Flower Power” is a colourful, abstract floral design made-up of individual paper collages and hand-printed paper. “Flower Power” is available in two scales: “Small” where the largest flower is approximately 2.5cm in diameter and “Large” where the largest flower is approximately 10cm in diameter.
The different options in scale ensures the “Flower Power” design can be used in a variety of ways. We would especially love to see it used for summer dresses and swimwear.
“Echinacea Flowers” features three different paper-cut echinacea flower motifs set against a bright turquoise background. The white framing around the elements really allows the colours to pop!
We think “Echinacea Flowers” would be a great design to use for summer dresses and bedding.
“Aussie Gum Bricks” feature individual brick designs made from hand-printed tissue paper. The rich, jewel-like colour palette was inspired by a flowering gum tree.
“Aussie Gum Bricks” would be a gorgeous design to use for a fun jumpsuit that can be dressed up and down.
“Flower Breeze” is a dreamy floral print that captures leaves blowing in a warm summer breeze. This design was made by mono printing actual lupin leaves and bits of grass. “Flower Breeze” is available in two colourways, “Yellow” and “Pink”.
“Flower Breeze” is perfect for silky, mid-length skirts, hair-ties and face masks.
All of our DIY making ideas above are suggestions only and we think the possibilities are truly endless with each of these designs. All of Ariane’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop, choose your design and then select the fabric base cloth – it’s that easy!