Tag Archives: illustration

New Fabric – 100% Pure Linen!

After months and months of testing, we are super excited to finally announce that we have everyone’s favourite fabric in our range…introducing Pure Linen! 

Keep on reading to find out all about our newest print base fabric and get inspired for your next project! 

digital fabrics_digital fabric printing_linen_pure linen_fabric base_natural fabric 1digitally printed Pure Linen sample featuring ‘Gypsy Skull’ by Brianna Pawlik

 

Our Pure Linen is a divine mid-weight 245GSM fabric that is 100% Linen, and has a maximum printable width of 145cm. This woven fabric has the loveliest linen slub texture and a vivid white base colour, that ensures good colour reproduction when printed. This is an ideal fabric for home and interior purposes such as cushion covers, table linen, creative signage & banners such as wedding signs and curtains. 

digital fabrics_digital fabric printing_linen_pure linen_fabric base_natural fabric 3 unprinted Pure Linen fabric

digital fabrics_digital fabric printing_linen_pure linen_fabric base_natural fabric 4close up of unprinted Pure Linen fabric

When considering our Pure Linen for your next project please keep in mind that some fading after washing is normal for natural fabrics that have been used for digital printing. The fading often gives our printed natural fabrics a softer finish which suits the natural fibre itself. Fading can be minimized through the use of cold hand-washing and phosphate free detergent.

digital fabrics_digital fabric printing_linen_pure linen_fabric base_natural fabric 5digitally printed Pure Linen fabric featuring ‘Strawberry’ design

digital fabrics_digital fabric printing_linen_pure linen_fabric base_natural fabric 2

digitally printed HEX colour swatches on Pure Linen

Sample swatches of Pure Linen are available through our Sample Pack Order Form in our ‘Natural Fabrics’, ‘Home and Interiors’ and ‘Super Pack’ sample packs on the website. Contact us to find out if this fabric is a suitable option for your next textile project!!

Carly Westbye -The Designer Project

We have absolutely loved sharing all of the amazing floral prints by artist Carly Westbye, and hope that you’ve enjoyed them as much as we have!  

To coincide with Carly’s ‘Spring in Bloom’ collection being made available to all of our customers through our Fabric Shop online, the artist herself has put together a guest blog which further explains her self-taught design process, what inspires her designs as well as bit more about herself. 

Keep reading to find out more about Carly Westbye and her wonderful floral designs! 

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_carly westbye

‘Carly Westbye’

I am honoured to share my art through Digital Fabrics and look forward to bringing more designs to this unique network of talented designers.  

At work in the studio‘Carly in her studio’

I am a Canberra-based designer and founder/owner of FinBok Publishing. I commenced my business as a Graphic Artist/Desktop Publisher and have spent the last eighteen years expanding on my design skills. My surface designs for interiors and fashion launched in 2016 and my designs have branched from collaborations, prints for personal use and expanding through to creators abroad in the textile industry.  

Flame Pea Image‘Flame Pea Moodboard’

We are often asked what drives our passion to create and generally speaking for myself, I gain much satisfaction viewing the appreciation of those who support my work. Sharing the love of art and bringing a smile is what speaks to me. I have been creative since I was a child and have also been fortunate to explore a number of art shows where I have been able to sell my paintings.  

My studio_Finbok‘Carly’s Design Workspace’

Most of my inspiration is drawn from nature and more recently I have spent some time observing my history and culture. I enjoy exploring nature’s contours, textures and colour palette. Together, I like to combine this with a variety of mediums, as I continue to explore new techniques and learn to work with organic materials sourced from Australian suppliers. I am currently working on many new designs to be released this year, all of which have been created using a unique self-taught technique.  This method combines natural pigments that I mix with inks and gel mediums. I find this to be a rewarding process to see my illustrations and paintings brought together, as I continue to develop on my seamless signature style. 

Whimsical in the making‘Whimsical Sketches’

The process in developing my designs will vary, depending on where I draw my inspiration from. Sometimes it begins with a walk in nature; other times a colour I am drawn to, a memory, or experience. My sketchbook is a big part of my life, and I never leave home without it. This is a journal that I hope will be treasured in my family for the years to come.   

Ruby Blomst in the making‘Ruby Blomst Sketches’

Each design is taken through a process that I have constructed over time. This process enables me to keep my designs on track during my creative thought process. My designs are structured with sketches, both initial and final stages, a colour selection process and consideration of purpose for print. All of my final designs are then imported to Adobe Creative Suite, where I then clean my files and prepare the layout for print production. 

Singapore Butterfly in the making‘Singapore Butterfly Sketches’

If you want to collaborate with us on The Designer Project and become part of this creative club, please apply! Send us an email with your portfolio and why you would like to be part of this initiative, and we will be in touch!

‘Spring in Bloom’ Textile Collection by Carly Westbye

It’s come that time again to introduce our newest featured artist of The Designer Project for the month of February! Introducing the wonderful Carly Westbye 

Carly is a Canberra-based designer and founder/owner of FinBok Publishing. Her inspiration is drawn from nature, where some of her recent designs have captured some of the finer elements that are often missed on our tracks in nature. From her local nature reserves, to the coastline and mountains, places where she might be seen exploring natures contours, textures and colour palette. 

Each of Carly’s stunning prints can be printed onto any of our fabrics, which means you can order custom designer fabric that’s tailored to you. Keep reading to find out more about Carly Westbye and her Spring in Bloom’ Collection! 

 

Whimsical Peach & Teal feature the Rose Quartz, Rosehip and the Zebra Finch. Both designs featuring a striking red and pink Rosehip flower and the sweetest Zebra Finch Birds. There is a choice between the soft and harmonious peach tones or the more deep and moody teal blue. 

Whimsical Peach & Teal would work perfect for fashion projects such as kimonos, or silky evening wear and lingerie.  

  

 

Singapore Butterfly features a subtle image of rose quarts illustrations hidden beneath an array of beautiful black and white butterflies. There is also a honeycomb pattern added to the design, giving in a delicate hint. 

Singapore Butterfly would also suit fashion garments such as sarongs and shawls as well as scarves or a tote bag!  

 

Ruby Blomst is a striking design that features bold red florals mixed with a swirl behind the soft delicate layers of the Rhododendron. 

Ruby Blomst is a perfect print for activewear such as leggings! 

 

 

Spring Summer Orchid (Blue, Night & Tan) features delicate orchid illustrations that come to life in three colourways. The subtle red tones in the Orchid pair well with each background, creating a new look with a unique flow across all three. 

We think Spring Summer Orchid is perfect for skirts, dresses and blouses! 

 

Iris is a beautiful design featuring the divine Iris flower. The purple colourway for this design brings a sense of warmth, joy, balance and spirituality. Think of the sweet scent on a sunny day at Floriade – Canberra’s Flower Festival! 

Iris would is ideal for swimwear, dresses, blouses, or even a delicate scarf! 

 

  

Koimaroo & Koimaroo Waters feature the Japanese Koi Fish, a reflection in time. The beautiful red fish pair perfectly with either the periwinkle colourway or the aqua colourway; both soft, subtle prints  

Koimaroo Waters & Koimaroo are perfect for summer kaftans or sarongs, perhaps an outdoor cushion by the pool. 

 

Flame Pea Flower is a funky retro design contains both illustrated drawings and digital illustrations of the Chorizema varium, or the Flame Pea, and sadly, this flower is listed as a threatened species (endangered) in Australia. This design embraces curves with a fun, vibrant colour for summer and is a sweet match for the Flame Pea print and Flame Pea Lines. 

We think Flame Pea Flower would be amazing as a cool summer tote bag or zipper pouch! Maybe even a cute skirt or dress!

 

Flame Pea features the beautiful, bright Flame Pea flower. We are obsessed with this orange flower, which pairs perfectly with subtle floral motifs. This design embraces curves with a fun, vibrant colour for summer and is a sweet match for the Flame Pea Flower print and Flame Pea Lines 

This amazing Flame Pea design would look great as some swimmers, activewear, or even lingerie! 

Flame Pea Lines is a perfect match with the Flame Pea and Flame Pea Flower Designs. It features a digital illustration of the Flame Pea flower, coated in some wonderful stripes! 

Flame Pea Lines is the perfect print for swimmers, kidswear, cushion covers, or even a beach towel! 

 

All of our project ideas above are suggestions only as the sky’s truly the limit with Carly’s wonderful collection! Each of Carly’s designs can be found in our Fabric Shop, so head on over to be inspired for your next DIY project! 

Krystal-Anne Knafl – The Designer Project

It’s been an absolute pleasure starting off this year’s series of The Designer Project with the ultra-talented designer Krystal-Anne Knafl and have adored sharing her funky and colourful textiles designs with you. Krystal has made a range of her designs available as print ready artwork in our Fabric Shop online, which can be printed onto any of our stock fabric base cloths. To provide some more insight into each of Krystal’s designs, the artist herself has put together a guest blog which details her process behind creating her designs as well as what inspired the prints in her collection.

Keep reading to find out more about Krystal-Anne Knafl and her surface designs!

 

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Krystal Anne Knafl‘Krystal-Anne Knafl’

Hi everyone, Krystal Knafl here from @missappledesigns. I am very excited to announce that some of my designs are now up for sale in the Digital Fabrics fabric shop! Exciting times for all of us, because you get to have some fun creating some amazing products and I get to enjoy hearing about the awesome things you make, which inspires me to design more. I’m looking forward to you all sharing some of the works you were inspired to create. When I was initially designing, I envisioned my designs on curtains, bedding, tea towels, pillows, dresses, skirts, maybe even some cheeky pencil cases and make up bags. There are some great ideas throughout the website and all over the great wide web.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Krystal Anne Knafl_creative space‘Krystals Design Studio’

I thought it would be fun to share my inspiration and process behind my final designs including some photos of my main design space as well as stimulus images. The majority of my works are hand-drawn on my ipad pro using Adobe Fresco and an Apple pencil. I am a big fan of fun, funky and whimsy designs, but I do like to occasionally find balance through use of warm, more neutral tones.
I am a storyteller at heart and most of my works started from either an experience, feeling or observation. I have found that when an experience captures my imagination, I can put more heart into the final product.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Krystal Anne Knafl_design in progress‘Work in progress design’

Chickens With Hats was inspired by one of my lessons as a Secondary Teacher in 2021 when a student brought in a chicken that he had found on the way to school. This chicken became a big conversation point in the class which lead to me being inspired to explore what this chicken could look like with a hat on (much to the excitement of my students.) Sarah’s Orchard Garden was inspired by my friend Sarah’s growing orchard collection. I was obsessed with the colours and would get even more inspiration every time she added another one to her collection. Crazy Plant Lady was inspired by another friend of mine that developed a deep love/obsession with building a plant collection. She would share all these amazing photos of the plants like they were her own children. There were such beautiful design elements in the plants she shared which inspired me even more.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Krystal Anne Knafl_design in progress 2‘Work in progress design’

When designing, I’ll typically search for stimulus through images and particularly look at colours and lines that can work well together. From there, I’ll work towards creating motifs outlines and start experimenting with different colour palettes until I find one that works. Creating motifs can take anywhere from an hour to two weeks depending on how much work and experimenting I need to do.
I do have a ‘dedicated design space’ but I do love designing in spaces where I can relax and stretch my legs. Three of my favourite spaces to design are my couch while listening to music, my bed on a Saturday morning after a big week of work and on occasion down The Strand where I take in some sunshine and sea breeze.

Below are some images that inspired Sarah’s Orchard Garden some of the initial motifs I created before collaging them (Thank you, Sarah Risdale, for allowing me to use these beautiful images):

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Krystal Anne Knafl_Orchard motifs‘Orchard Motifs’

‘Orchard inspiration photos’

Below is an example of how Sarah’s Orchard Garden can be used. I found a super cute and easy baby doll dress no-pattern dress on Youtube and create this. It prints beautifully on fashion fabrics such as bamboo or fabric but would look incredible on some bedding fabrics. Get in touch with the team at Digital Fabrics about which fabric base would be suit your project.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Krystal Anne Knafl_Babydoll dress - Sarah's Orchard Garden‘Krystals Baby Dolly dress’

As a fan of fresh and delicious produce, I was inspired to create Summer Salad. A super cute and colourful design that brings out the natural fun and beauty of vegetables which would look amazing as a tote bag, tea towel or even some funky cushions! Or why not make a statement in the kitchen and create a fun apron. This print can also be ordered here in a wide variety of fabrics to meet your sewing needs.

Here’s a cute mock up of Summer Salad as a funky cushion to get you inspired:

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Krystal Anne Knafl_summer salad_pillow mockup‘Summer Salad Cushion Mockup’

I hope you enjoyed hearing about what inspires my designs, the process I undertake and some cool ways you can bring these all to life! You can view more of my designs in the fabric shop. The epic thing is you can choose a fabric base to suit your sewing needs, and the minimum purchase is only 1m! Don’t forget too that if you’re needing support to chose the right fabrics and get started, get in touch with the Digital Fabrics team and they will gladly help you out.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Krystal Anne Knafl 2‘Krystal in her studio’

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and I hope I have inspired you to bring out some inner fun and creativity. Don’t forget to tag both @missappledesigns and Digital Fabrics in any projects you undertake with these designs!

If you want more fun and colour in your world, give me a follow on Instagram or Facebook.
Lots of love and inspiration,
Krystal Knafl

 

 

If you want to collaborate with us on The Designer Project and become part of this creative club, please apply! Send us an email with your portfolio and why you would like to be part of this initiative, and we will be in touch!

‘Everyday Experiences’ Textile Collection by Krystal-Anne Knafl

We’re super excited to announce that our next featured artist from The Designer Project will be ever so talented, Krystal-Anne Knafl from Miss Apple Designs! 

Miss Apple Designs is about sorting inspiration from everyday experiences and turning them into fun designs. From chickens in classrooms to people’s gardens, each piece is digitally hand-drawn and given its own colour story. Ultimately, these designs are made to be a part of your own fashion story and hopefully inspire your fun and creative side as well!

Keep reading to find out more about Krystal-Anne Knafl and her fun loving ‘Everyday Experiences’ Collection! 

 

Sarah’s Orchard Garden is inspired by orchard pot plants resting in the Queensland sunlight. These bright purple hues with pops of white and yellow provide layers and dimension that keep the eye flowing.

Sarah’s Orchard Garden would be the perfect print for fashion garments and accessories such as shawls and scarves!

Chickens With Hats is a playful print that is balanced out by warm, earthy tones. The Chicken motifs add such a fun element to the design and hats add a subtle layer of ‘extra’ to these adorable chickens.

We think Chicken With Hats would look amazing on some funky mens fashion garments! Think board shorts or button up shirts

Crazy Plant Lady presents various plant leaf motifs in wonderful shades of green. The contrasting pinkish maroon background really helps the plants truly be the feature of this piece.

Crazy Plant Lady is such a great print for any homeware project! Bedding, blankets and throws or even cushions as well!

Summer Salad is inspired by the beauty and colours of Australian produce. This print features a range of vegetable motifs, each in varying sizes and colours which creates a fun and colourful design. We love the combination of realism and Krystal’s own twist to the illustrations.

We think Summer Salad would work perfectly for both home and fashion projects such as tote bags or aprons!

 

 

All of our project ideas above are suggestions only as the possibilities are endless with Krystal’s funky and fun collection! Each of Krystal’s designs can be found in our Fabric Shop, so head on over to be inspired for your next DIY project! 

Gouri Babshet – The Designer Project

It’s been so wonderful having the delightful designer Gouri Bashet, as our current feature artist of The Designer Project and have adored sharing her absolutely lovely textile designs. Gouri has put together a guest blog for you all, which shares a bit of background info on herself, some behind the scenes of her creative process and as well as what inspires her and this collection.  

Keep on reading to find out more about Gouri Babshet and her creative style! 

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Gouri Babshet

 ‘Gouri Babshet’

I’m a surface pattern designer and illustrator from India who is based in Melbourne, Australia with my husband and two kids. Being in Melbourne and surrounded by beautiful nature has become the source of my inspiration. My patterns and designs are known to be bright, cute yet delicate that are inspired from my love for nature and colours.  

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_Delightful Roses Olive 2‘Delightful Roses – Olive Design’

I’m a former techie who is a creative soul since childhood. I am also a self-taught artist with an absolute love for drawing, crafting, scrapbooking and quilling…just to name a few! I like to think I have a keen eye for colours and just love to bring in bright, detailed and colourful aesthetics with a modern and feminine touch to all of my designs. 

‘Work in Progress Design’

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_morning meoldy collection

‘Morning Melodies Textile Collection’

Nature is my biggest inspiration. I take long walks in the nearby walking trails, creeks and wetlands and capture beautiful images of birds, animals and foliage that serve as a starting point for my design process. I put together a mood board with the images from my inspiration and color palettes that go with the current theme. Then I start by sketching loosely in procreate app on my iPad Pro which is such a versatile tool in art making. 

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Gouri Babshet_Design Moodboard ‘Design Inspiration Moodboard’

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Gouri Babshet_Design Sketches 2‘Rough Bird Sketches’

These sketches are refined and transferred to Adobe illustrator to create vector motifs using colour palettes I create using adobe colour tool. The final motifs are tossed in a repeat pattern that can been transformed into beautiful fabric, home decor, stationery and other products. 

‘Rough Bird and Floral Sketches’

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_Chirping Birds 1

‘Chirping Birds Design’

If you want to collaborate with us on The Designer Project and become part of this creative club, please apply! Send us an email with your portfolio and why you would like to be part of this initiative, and we will be in touch! 

‘Morning Melodies’ Textile Collection by Gouri Babshet

It’s come that time again to introduce our newest feature artist in The Designer Project and we are so excited to announce that the amazing Gouri Babshet as our designer for the month of December! 

We are so lucky to have Gouri’s ‘Morning Melodies’ collection available in our Fabric Shop. ‘Morning Melodies’ is inspired by the nearby creeks and wetlands that are home to beautiful chirping birds, ducks, butterflies and the air filled with fresh fragrance of the lovely meadows. This collection is made up of hand drawn detailed delicate motifs with lots of texture and calming colours with a hint of feminine and vintage vibes that are perfect for apparels, home decor and various fabric products and accessories. 

Keep reading to find out more about Gouri Babshets beautiful designs! 

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_morning meoldy collection

Chirping birds is a lovely print full of little birds and stunning florals! This design has a and fresh calming colour palette of blues and pinks against a white background. 

Chirping Birds would be the perfect print for kids projects such as baby swaddles and blankets and kids clothing too! 

 

Delightful Roses – Navy features a print full of detailed hand drawn roses and butterfly motifs. We love this combo of soft pinks and dark blues with that pop of light blue! 

We would love to see Delightful Roses – Navy on some lovely makeup bags and fashion accessories such as scarves and scrunchies! 

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_Delightful Roses Navy 2

 

Delightful Roses – Olive features a print full of detailed hand drawn roses and butterfly motifs. The peachy tones paired with the olive background and pops of navy blue pair perfectly together! 

Delightful Roses – Olive would be great for fashion accessories such as tote bags and beach bags! 

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_Delightful Roses Olive 2

 

Morning Blooms consists of a variety of native Australian florals in a divine peach and blue colour palette. The scattered flow of the floral motifs make it such a versatile print.  

We think Morning Blooms is great for both fashion and home projects, think blankets and dresses! 

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_Morning Blooms 1

 

Ducks is the Lake is a gorgeous print featuring the sweetest little family of ducks swimming in a calm Lake. The duck motifs are so adorable and look perfect with the blue ‘lake’ background.  

Ducks in the Lake would be perfect for homewares such as baby blankets and cushions! 

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_Ducks in the Lake 1

 

Geometric butterflies is a blender pattern with butterfly motifs and tiny blooms arranged in geometric fashion. We are loving  the peachy tones of this print! 

We think Geometric Butterflies is the perfect design for accessories such as zipper pouches and makeup bags! 

digital fabrics_designer fabrics_gouri babshet_Geometric Butterflies 1

 

All of our project ideas above are suggestions only as the sky’s truly the limit with Gouri’s wonderful collection! Each of Gouri’s designs can be found in our Fabric Shop, so head on over to be inspired for your next DIY project! 

Custom Handkerchiefs by Sue Michael

One of our wonderful Designer Project Designers, Sue Michael, had the amazing idea of putting together some Hankie designs as a fun DIY idea for our customers. She collaged a series of prints together where multiple squares would be prepared, with their seam allowances included, so that purchasers could have the designs printed onto a metre of some of our suitable stock fabrics (we recommend Cotton Poplin or Poppy) and be able to cut out, then sew, to make a set of home-made hankies!

This is such a fun and easy DIY project, making it perfect for even the most beginners at sewing! Sue has put together a blog post, talking about why she was inspired to create these hankie prints and what
hankies mean to her and her family. Keep reading to find out more.
e- SMIchael Shell Trail website20cm
‘Shell Trail Handkerchiefs’
e- SMichaelMammoth trail website
‘Mammoth Skiing Handkerchiefs’

During my childhood, hankies were used in daily life in my home. A skinned knee could use a triangular hankie on the way home, faces were scrubbed with Mum’s saliva-moistened hankie when dirt on the cheeks was an unsightly problem, the children could be cooled with wet compresses at their necks and wrists, coins could be bundled into knotted hankies when on bicycle excursions, orange peel could be collected, and Mum had drops of perfume on hers that she kept, always at the ready, in her handbag. My first housekeeping skills were honed with a stack of hankies to iron each week…triangles or squares…it was my choice. There was sharing of hankies when tears fell, of course. Dad’s blowing of the nose sounded out like a foghorn during hay fever season. I can still remember its musical note.

digital fabrics_designer fabric_sue michaels_hankies blog 5‘Sue in her studio working on a hankie design’

A modest piece of cloth can be carried close to you and provide reminders of qualities such as back-up, usefulness, freedom, recovery and even healing. Images can be updated from traditional designs, less pretty and less in balance, perhaps, whilst concurrently directing curiosity, organising visual information, and promoting humanist qualities. My ancestors have left many treasures including a box that houses vintage hankies. Some are finely textured plaids, some have been hand-appliqued and embroidered. There is a bride’s silk hankie, hand-made and kept as a precious ‘gift handkerchief’. Many of these vintage hankies have very delicate edgings.

digital fabrics_designer fabric_sue michaels_hankies blog 3‘Vintage Hankies Box’digital fabrics_designer fabric_sue michaels_hankies blog 6‘Vintage Hankies’

Alongside the box of hankies, sits two vintage baskets of sewing notions, including old laces and trim borders. Not only could these present-day squares be cut from the large joined cloth lengths, they could have further embellishments at their edges, either with added trim, edging stitches, or applique.

A link to handkerchief edging hems from the Smocking Arts Guild of America on YouTube, shares techniques:

Most of the images for my handkerchief’s have been hand painted, collaged from paper, or printed with simple printmaking techniques without a press. I like to assert the ongoing art-making traditions that provide contrast to the perfect lines and smooth colour rendering of computer software’s image making. I also chooses a variety of themes and art methods, reflecting the diversity and choices within daily life. Whimsy and an urge to create new traditions are stylistic features.

digital fabrics_designer fabric_sue michaels_hankies blog 4‘Lace and Trimmings for Hankies’

digital fabrics_designer fabric_sue michaels_hankies blog 2‘Vintage Hankie’

With a hankie, I could rinse freshly picked plums at the backyard tap during my childhood. My Nana had placed an old hankie over the tap of her rainwater to collect the wrigglers. I attended children’s parties where precious, hand-made favours were wrapped in fresh hankies within new cups for each of the guests. This is much like the Japanese gift-wrapping tradition of furoshiki.

digital fabrics_designer fabric_sue michaels_hankies blog 1‘Lace and Trimmings collection basket’

Whatever the task of a hankie, it could be washed, ironed and stored for future use, in a universal cycle that has always been.

Check out our Fabric Shop now, to order some of Sue’s wonderful hankies!

Nicole Spencer – The Designer Project

We have absolutely loved sharing these divine floral designs by Queensland-based designer Nicole Spencer and hope you’ve loved her designs as much as we have! To coincide with Nicole’s “Take Delight” collection being made available to all of our customers through our Fabric Shop online, the artist herself has put together a guest blog which further explains her one of a kind approach to creating surface patterns and what inspires her work. 

Keep reading to find out more about Nicole Spencer and her stunning designs! 

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Nicole Spencer

Hello! I’m Nicole, the face behind Ebb & Flow Surface Design. I am a wife to one, mum to 5, painter to some and emerging as a surface designer to many. My family I and live in Bundaberg, QLD, a town not far from the beach, which is our happy place. I love to paint, enjoy a hot morning coffee, have the sand between my toes and just be with my family. Being a stay home mum to 5, I realised a few years ago I had no hobbies and needed to do something for myself. I quickly fell in love with watercolour painting, and over time it’s grown from doing painting commissions, to digital prints, and now to wanting to see my work on all sorts of surfaces and textiles.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Nicole Spencer_Blog Photo 1

I’m constantly inspired by the seasons we face, the beauty of the world around us, and I love how I can incorporate story telling into my designs. Ebb & Flow not only creates designs, but captures elements from the beautiful world we’re in, and uses those to bring encouragement through the ebbs and flows we face in life. It finds beauty in the seasons of growth and in the seasons of change, and always aims to create joy in the simple things.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Nicole Spencer_Blog Photo 2

My process usually involves a few different elements, mostly watercolour painting, sketching, scanning random objects from the yard… weeds weirdly have the prettiest shaped leaves and always looking amazing in designs! Let me walk you through a design I put together this summer. “Take Delight”, is a collection I created, inspired by the reminders I had to embrace the pauses in life, (even the unexpected ones), and to choose to take delight in the simple things in front of us.
I had inspiration from both flowers in the garden and a gorgeous basket of florals I received over Christmas. I just loved the colours in this bouquet, and was able to use this to create a colour palette for the collection.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Nicole Spencer_Blog Photo 3

Like I mentioned my designs can include lots of different elements. For my one design in this collection – “Sunny Days”, I was able to pick some flowers out of the garden, pull apart some petals and create my own flowers on paper to scan in for design. This is the fun part where I love to play around with shades and textures. Remember how I said I love to incorporate random things. The centre of some of my florals in this design, was actually created by using a photo of the fabric on my bed head.

dress mock up sunny days

Watercolour painting has become a real love of mine, and a big part of my process. These paintings are often inspired by things found outside. I love when my daughter walks home from school and finds random flowers and leaves for me on the way home, it always brings a smile to my face, and gets the creative mind ticking over. The wattle in the picture was actually one of her treasures she found for me.
I think designing for me is a process of joy, discovery and creating beauty. I love using what’s around me to create designs, and I hope you find the joy in them too.

Designer Fabrics_Custom Fabrics_Nicole Spencer_Blog Photo 4

If you want to collaborate with us on The Designer Project and become part of this creative club, please apply! Send us an email with your portfolio and why you would like to be part of this initiative, and we will be in touch! 

‘Take Delight’ Textile Collection by Nicole Spencer

It’s come that time again to introduce our newest featured artist of The Designer Project for the month of November! Introducing the lovely and amazing Nicole Spencer from Ebb & Flow Design. 

Ebb & Flow creates designs that are full of florals and nature, with colour palettes drawn from the beautiful outdoors. Nicole loves to create designs that flow across the page and as you can see, she kinda has a thing for flowers!

Each of Nicole’s beautiful designs can be printed onto any of our fabrics. Keep reading to find out more about Nicole Spencer and her ‘Take Delight’ Collection! 

  IMG_9954

Fresh Pickings is a combination of both paintings and elements of things picked from the garden. We love how it dances across the page and is a sweet reminder that seasons change and beautiful things await us. The blue tones of this design work so well with the floral motifs. 

Fresh Pickings could work for a variety of fashion and home projects, perhaps some lovely pillowcases and napkins? Or maybe a new beach kaftan! 

IMG_9937

Sunny Days is full of wonderful summer florals, with a few hand painted elements. Inspired by summer days, fresh sunflower blooms, and the warm sunshine, it’s a fun print for the warmer days ahead.  

We think Sunny Days would be such a fantastic print for homewares such as picnic rugs or tea towels, perhaps even some sweet, summer pants! 

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Hidden Beauty, a gorgeous print that features hand painted elements. With the florals peeking out from the foliage in this design, it reminds you not to miss the little moments of beauty hidden in the unexpected moments. 

Hidden Beauty would be perfect for kids clothing such as dresses and pants or even a lovely matching pants and top for you! 

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Swept Away showcases soft pink leaves and petals, scattered across the design. Think the wind carrying all the freshly fallen leaves across the ground, reminding you that as one season ends, a new one begins. 

Swept Away is such a versatile print! We think it would be amazing for homeware projects such as cushions, tea towels and throw blankets! 

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Sunshine Swirls, a sweet and simple print. It incorporates painted elements, scanned in florals as well as different textures. Full of warm, sunny colours to make you think of twirling around the yard, with a picked flower in hand. 

We this Sunshine Swirls is such a wonderful design for fashion garments such as long flowing skirts and dresses. 

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Pick a Posy is a lovely design that incorporates small painted elements. It’s a sweet reminder of little posies, gathered rustically but little hands, small gestures of big love – joy in its simplest form. 

Pick a Posy would be the perfect print for summer dresses for yourself and the kids, or even a sweet little baby swaddle! 

 

All of our project ideas above are suggestions only as the sky’s truly the limit with Nicole’s sweet floral collection! Each of Nicole’s designs can be found in our Fabric Shop, so head on over to be inspired for your next DIY project!