Tag Archives: surface design

Meet the Designer – Mayy Abuljebain

Meet Mayy Abuljebain, a talented illustrator and designer making waves in the creative world. Her unique style captivates audiences and breathes life into her work. In this blog post, we explore her featured collection of fabric prints. Discover the inspiration behind her designs and what sets her apart in the industry. Join us as we dive into Mayy’s artistic journey that lead her to joining The Designer Project.

Hello, I’m Mayy. I’m an Illustrator and Designer currently based in Melbourne!

Mayy Abuljebain

As an avid lover of all things fashion, pop culture, illustration and collage, doodlebombing has become my go to form of expression for as long as I can remember. I discovered this art movement when I discovered Hattie Stewart – the artist who coined the term. I find that it allows me to be experimental and playful as I illustrate over some of my favourite celebrities and photographers’ work. I like to think of it as a form of ‘remixing’ what’s already out there – sprinkling these images with my personality, my loud and bold taste, all in all, immersing myself in and paying homage to the things I love.

Mayy’s Workspace

This collection of prints is deeply inspired by this form of expression which I love to dabble in. Using motifs derived from some of my personal and fan-favourite artworks, each pattern I created for this collection champions what you could call the ‘MayyMakes Essentials’ – from my go-to florals, stars and polka-dots, to fruits, eyes and lightning bolts. From the get-go, this entire process has been a huge learning curve for me. Prior to being approached by Digital Fabrics, I had never created or worked with repeating patterns – but now that I’ve learnt this new skill, I feel that so many possibilities have opened up for me creatively, which is why I initially said yes to taking on this project!

 

Two of the artworks I used as inspiration! You can check out the rest of
my work on my instagram @mayymakes

 

I wanted to curate a collection that was an ode to the art style I’ve been immersing myself in this past year. So, to start the process, I went through all my digital portraits and picked out five that I thought had shapes and themes that I could adapt into a fabric pattern.

After watching a few tutorials on how to create seamlessly repeating patterns on Instagram, I made myself a coffee, turned on my favourite playlist, went into Procreate and started sketching away! From there, I tested out whether it would repeat seamlessly and once confirmed, I began the process of colouring each shape in, sorting out the palette and finalising. This became the routine/process when creating each pattern.

Doodle Dots Initial Sketch

All in all, it’s been an absolutely magical process watching my illustrations come to life. If anything, this has been a truly unique and eye-opening experience for me as a starting artist. It’s safe to say that I’m so proud I challenged myself and did this – it was so worth it.

As a digital illustrator with a passion for all things pop-art and doodle-bombs, this collection features the ‘MayyMakes Essentials’. Each pattern champions motifs derived from some of Mayy’s most well-loved pieces from rainbows and flowers to bursts of stars and polka-dots.

Meet the Designer – Tara Royle

Meet Tara Royle; Illustrator and Emerging Fine Artist from Tasmania! In this feature, we’ll delve into the creative world of our upcoming designer, showcasing Tara’s cute and cozy style and inspirations. Join us as we explore the behind-the-scenes of her creative process and what what drives her artistic vision. Keep on reading to find out more! 

Tara Royle

Hi there, lovely readers! My name is Tara Royle.  I’m a 21-year-old signed illustrator and emerging fine artist from the little island of Tasmania, Australia. I create cute and often humorous pieces that depict animals and human figures, aiming to capture the unique, imagined and human like qualities of these characters. Recently, I’ve decided to take an exciting leap into textile design and pattern making, and I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my curated collection of patterns in collaboration with Digital Fabrics Fabric Shop! 

Studio Space

My love for animals, especially cats, is a significant source of inspiration for my work. I have two adorable kitties who bring joy and warmth to my creative process, often keeping me company as I bring my visions to life. Alongside my passion for furry friends, I have a deep appreciation for all things vintage and retro, which reflects in my work. I’m particularly drawn to pastel colors and pretty aesthetics, and I aim to infuse these elements into each pattern I create. 

I’m excited to share that my patterns can be featured on a variety of products, making them perfect for all kinds of creative projects. Whether you’re looking to add a splash of fun to women’s and children’s clothing, design unique bags, or create cozy cushions or bed spreads, my designs offer endless possibilities. Each pattern is crafted with love and can elevate any piece, turning everyday items into cheerful, and unique artistic statements. 

Mushrooms & Ferns – Brown

My home studio is a cozy haven nestled on a mountain in the forest, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature. Wallabies roam freely among the trees, providing a constant source of inspiration and a reminder of the unique wildlife that Tasmania offers. This tranquil environment fuels my creativity and allows me to explore my artistic passions fully. 

When I’m not creating, you can often find me baking delicious treats, hiking in my forest, practicing pilates, or taking a refreshing dip in the icy Tasmanian waters I call home. Each of these activities contribute to my artistic process, helping me find balance and inspiration in my daily life. 

Illustration in Progress (ft. kitty)

I’m very excited to share this new chapter of my creative journey with you all. If you’d like to follow along and see what I’m up to, please connect with me on my Instagram @wallabymountain 

I’d love to hear your thoughts and share my passion for art, design, and all things whimsy and cute.  

Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me and my work. I can’t wait to see how you all engage with my patterns, and I hope they bring a touch of joy and creativity to your projects! 

 

The Paws & Pastel collection features the sweetest flora and fauna motifs, in a range of complimenting colourways! Each fabric can work for a range of both women’s and children fashion and perhaps home home projects too!

Meet the Designer – Anthea Beazley

Meet our newest featured designer in the Designer Project, Anthea Beazley. Dive into her world of creativity and innovation as we explore her unique design journey. In this blog post, we delve into the behind-the-scenes design process that fuels Anthea’s creativity, enabling her to bring vibrant and visually stunning fabric prints to life.

Keep reading to find out more! 

Anthea Beazley

My design process begins with a spark of inspiration, often drawn from my surroundings or experiences. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the Australian landscape, I seek to translate the natural beauty of my environment into captivating fabric designs. Whether it’s the rich hues of a mesmerizing sunset or the intricate patterns found in native flora, I immerse myself in my subject matter, aiming to convey its essence through my designs.

Armed with a plethora of digital tools and software at my fingertips, I set out to breathe life into my design concepts. I meticulously craft each element of my fabric prints, weaving together a symphony of colors, shapes, and textures. Through a combination of sketches, inspiration and digital manipulation, I transform my vision into tangible design samples.

Colour plays a vital role in my designs, as it evokes emotions and sets the tone for the final fabric prints. With a vast array of hues to choose from, I engage in an exploration of colour palettes, carefully selecting shades that harmonize and complement one another. Through a series experimentation, I strike a delicate balance, ensuring that the chosen colours captivate the viewer.

Designing in Progress

One of the defining characteristics of fabric prints is their ability to seamlessly repeat across the textile’s surface. I ensure that my designs flawlessly tile, allowing for versatility and scalability in their application. I  achieve a seamless flow that adds visual interest and depth to the fabric. Whether it’s a floral motif or an abstract pattern, my attention to detail guarantees a stunning final product that will enhance any garment or interior design with grace and sophistication.

My personal journey as a digital artist has taken me on a remarkable creative adventure, one that has allowed me to express my artistic prowess through captivating fabric and textile prints. My process of conceptualization, digital creation, color experimentation, and pattern repetition culminates in designs that exude beauty and allure.

The “Natural Wonders” collection celebrates the breathtaking beauty and ever-changing moods of the Australian landscape. Inspired by nature, the series captures the essence of each season, from the vibrant blooms of spring to the fiery hues of autumn. Through a blend of vibrant colors and intricate details, these prints invite you to explore the magic of the natural world and embrace the enchanting spirit of Australia’s diverse ecosystems.

Meet the Designer – Anzela Simcock

Next up as our featured artist in The Designer Project is the wonderful Anzela Simcock – with not one…but two textile collections ‘Stitch & Spark’ & ‘Summer Shore near the Tropics’!  

As part of Anzela’s feature, the designer has also put together a guest blog which details her typical creative process as well as the things that inspire her! Keep reading to find out more!  

Anzela Simcock

I’m Anzela Simcock, a Latvian-Australian surface pattern designer, driven by a profound passion for transforming joyful art and digital elements into fabrics, wallpaper and other surface patterns. Join me on an immersive journey through my unique artistic styles and enchanting creations, inspired by the fusion of my Latvian heritage, Australian surroundings and experiences, and the cherished moments with my children, family and garden. 

Mouse pad with one her designs

Nature and the power of mind, a constant muse, ignites my creative spark. The vast landscapes of Australia and the natural wonders of Latvia intertwine in my designs, capturing the essence of their beauty. From the serene beauty of Australian flora to the whimsical charm of Latvian gardens, my patterns embody the vibrant colours, delicate textures, and ethereal allure found in these enchanting environments. 

Abstract art becomes my canvas for exploration, enabling me to transcend artistic boundaries. Drawing from my Latvian heritage’s rich artistic traditions and the multicultural influences of Australia, my abstract creations take on a diverse and thought-provoking form. Through intricate patterns, bold shapes, and adventurous colour palettes, I invite you to delve into a realm of imagination, where emotions are evoked, and connections are forged. 

Creative Office Space

As a Latvian-Australian surface pattern designer, I celebrate the nostalgia and cultural fusion that shape my artistic expression. Inspired by the beloved memories of my Latvian roots and the vibrant tapestry of Australian life, my designs pay homage to iconic eras and cherished moments. From the rhythmic beats of Australian culture to the folklore of Latvia, I intertwine these influences to create patterns that transport you through time and celebrate the beauty of cultural diversity. 

As a devoted mother, the laughter and innocence of my children inspire a profound sense of creativity within me. Their joy and curiosity find expression in my designs, adding a touch of whimsy and playfulness. Moreover, my beloved garden, an oasis of tranquillity, serves as a wellspring of inspiration. The vibrant blooms, delicate petals, and gentle rhythms of nature’s symphony find their way into my designs, evoking a sense of serenity and harmony. 

Anzela and her youngest helper

The Stitch & Spark Textile Collection offers a delightful blend of fun graphics, playful colors, and a fresh take on traditional designs. The combination of these elements creates a unique and vibrant aesthetic that is sure to add a touch of whimsy to any home decor. Summer Shore near the Tropics Collection is where warm minimalist coastal prints meet vibrant tropical motifs. Clean lines and an earthy palette celebrate laid back beach side living, while bold, saturated hues capture the energy of nearby lush rain forests. Ideal for summery projects seeking timeless simplicity accented by vibrant pops of natural wonder. 

These designs would be great for a range of both Fashion & Interior projects! Each of Anzela’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online to view the whole collection and choose your favourite fabric! 

Meet the Designer – Cassandra Ferguson

Next up as our featured artist in The Designer Project is the super-talented Cassandra Feguson or better known as The Digi Dame – with her incredible fabric collection!  

She has put together the most wonderful blog post, diving deep into her creative process and inspirations for creating these amazing designs. Keep on reading to find out more! 

Cassandra Ferguson

Hi everyone, I’m Cassandra, aka The Digi Dame! I am thrilled to join the Designer Project at Digital Fabrics! I’m a brand designer from Western Sydney, who loves bold colour and joyful design. With a background in graphic design, I’ve recently delved into the world of surface pattern design; I am really enjoying the process of developing this new skillset and loving the freedom it gives me to get back to drawing.  

From the time I could hold a pencil in my hand as a young child, I was drawing. In adulthood, this favourite pastime took a back seat as life got in the way, as it often does. I served in the Australian Navy, worked in Makeup Artistry and became a mum before finally finding my groove in graphic design in my thirties, by chance! It was then that my love for design, colour and creativity was beautifully reignited. Now, with my recent immersion into surface pattern design, my love for freehand drawing has been reimagined in digital format.  

Sunday Funday W.I.P

My design style is colourful and abstract with an imperfect hand-drawn feel. I love creating bold patterns on a large scale for maximum impact. Some of my patterns can appear a bit folksy, but folk art is not where my influence lies. My favourite artists have always been the 19th century impressionists of France; particularly the thin brush strokes applied adjacent to each other. So perhaps that’s where the decorative strokes in my work come from.  

When I’m not designing for a client and therefore not following a brief, I’m inspired by the colours, textures and diversity of the Australian landscape and Aussie icons. I will often refer to photographs of chosen subjects, rather than draw from memory, and in this way, I can find direction for colour palettes and design layouts. The process is pretty fluid and informal – I will usually draw the motifs and elements in black and white first, then add colour, then make placements to form the pattern layout.   

Sunday Funday Moodboard

When designing for a client, my process is much more defined; beginning with the design brief and brand research, then developing moodboards and style direction before commencing any solid designs for the client. I work predominately in Adobe Illustrator – I feel most comfortable working with vectors. I love the scalability, and Illustrator best suits my drawing style and use of block colour. I draw digitally using a Wacom tablet, directly onto my laptop touchscreen or using my mouse. I don’t use any other device like a tablet; I like the simplicity of doing all my design work on a single device using Illustrator.  

I don’t have a dedicated home studio; I’m always in awe of other designers’ gorgeous workspaces! But I make it work and love what I do. Oh, and one last thing about me? I work better with cake! Thank you for taking a peek into my creative little corner of the world! 

Her design style is bright and colourful, hand-drawn and abstract, with Australian elements as a strong inspiration. She particularly loves to create wildly colourful patterns and collections that are based upon our Aussie landscape, flora and fauna (which is greatly reflected in her fabric collection) 

Meet the Designer – De-Anne Strange

Get ready to meet our next talented designer in the spotlight – De-Anne Strange! In this feature, we’ll delve into the creative world of our upcoming designer, showcasing De-Anne’s unique style and inspirations. Join us as we uncover the stories behind her designs and the passion that drives her artistic vision. Keep on reading to find out more! 

De-Anne Strange

A change in creative careers brought a lifetime of experience and skills, to help make pattern designs unique and true to me. 

Work in Progress Painting

I have always been inspired by people who are their true self and create their own unique path through life, whatever that may be. From a young age I have been able to see the beauty in all things, the tiny detail that is often missed and had a great sense of appreciation for this beautiful world we live in, and this now helps in my design process. 

Colour Matching Designs

I’ve been fortunate to be a creative entrepreneur in various industries and share my art with others. Years of hairdressing showed me how much I love to help bring joy through my art and creating hair styles that helped make others feel good about themselves. Many Years in my Photography business brings the ability to look at any situation or subject, through a creative lens where anything is possible and problem-solving techniques to make that anything come to life! Completing a Diploma in Visual Arts with an amazing teacher has given me the courage to step even further from my comfort zone and give anything a go, you never know where it may take you. Also helps calm perfectionism without compromising best practices and quality. 

Wheat Crops Inspiration

When I first discovered the surface pattern design industry, I was so intrigued and just felt so strongly that this was the direction I needed to go. I found that the professionals in the industry were the most welcoming and supportive I’ve ever known and just love to help others reach their goals. The saying ‘there is room for us all’ is used often and I’ve seen so many new designers flourish in this supportive environment. I love being a part of it too and helping others. I have participated in lots of different education and mentor groups worldwide, which has shown me how many talented artists are creating the life they want and supporting their families from their art businesses. 

Collection Colour Palettes

When I am in the first stage of a new collection creative process, I use a mix of all the skills I’ve learnt and work in mixed mediums including Photography, painting, drawing and digital artwork on my iPad Pro. When creating art on paper or canvas, I love to work with Acrylic and water colour paints, inks, charcoal, calligraphy pens, pencil and more. I use my camera to photograph anything for inspiration, create my own textures and capture my finished.

Work in Progress Painting

artworks, rather than scanning them onto my computer. I use my professional photography skills to photograph my work with good lighting and keep the digital quality high. Once I have imported my original art works, I mainly use Adobe illustrator to create my designs but also lightroom and photoshop depending on what style I’m creating. 

Photographing Inspiration

Currently I have released 6 design collections, all very different and I have my next 3 already in progress. I love showcasing beauty in nature and feel my style is unique, elegant and intriguing due to abstract composition. It suits most industries but looks great on fabric, clothing and accessories, wallpaper and homewares. 

I hope to keep creating my art and finding companies who wish to licence my designs, so I can help inspire others to follow their dreams too. 

De xx 

Love of the Land, embracing Australian Agricultural Farming and Grain Crops. Living in the Central Wheatbelt Western Australia and jointly running a farming business, De wanted to showcase this industry in a new modern light, to show its beauty. This collection is full of life, texture and interest, with an abstract feel. Using her professional photographs taken on their farm of various crop varieties at different stages of their growing processes, she has created these unique illustration patterns. Colours are pulled directly from her photos and each pattern has its own unique story and meaning to her family.

Alive – a collection bursting with life! Bold, beautiful and striking, filled with stunning colours, layers and textures. This collection is timeless and will bring life to any project. Each design is a thoughtfully made, piece of art. Every hero design has her signature hidden butterfly.

She hopes to give an insight into this profession through her art and also show its possible to be a Farmer and an Artist at the same time! Through the constant support of her Husband Leigh and their 3 sons, she has been able to bring her dreams to life and they have always been there helping along the way. Head to our Fabric Shop online to view the whole collection and shop now!

Meet the Designer – Melissa Hamlyn

Meet our newest featured designer in the Designer Project, Melissa Hamlyn. Dive into her world of creativity and innovation as we explore her unique design journey. Get ready to be inspired by Melissa’s captivating designs and artistic vision. Let’s embark on a journey through the extraordinary work of this talented designer. 

Keep reading to find out more! 

Melissa Hamlyn

Welcome! I’m Melissa Hamlyn, creator of Painted Lady Studio. I’ve been working with various materials for years now, but have only recently begun creating my own surface design patterns as well as writing blogs about art and design! 

Mood Board

My creations often feature bold colours and patterns made using digital and traditional printing techniques. I enjoy experimenting with new materials and techniques, which is part of what makes my designs unique. I love to sketch and test with scale and materials such as paint, markers and pen as well as styles such as realistic, abstract and geometric.  Over the course of my university studies I had a tactile and sculptural practice and I experimented with different mediums such as fabric, wood and plastic – these too have influenced how I think about making two-dimensional art. 

Studio Space

I have a passion for pattern, colour and texture. My work is an exploration of these things. Once I’ve settled on some sketches I scan and experiment with the image in Photoshop and Illustrator where I introduce textures and motifs I’ve made like marble effects, ginghams and shiny foils.  I then begin to finalise each hero design so that it has a strong graphic impact and then I mix and match coordinates to make a collection or sometimes a design all on its own! 

When choosing co-ordinates I focus on colour, never limit myself to just one colour palette and use a colour wheel to help me choose colour pairings that work well together as well as complimentary colours and contrasting shades of the same colour, this helps to create a bold look that is eye-catching but not too overbearing. 

Design Work in Progress

In addition I mix different prints together – floral prints with stripes, polka dots prints with stripes, polka dots with checks, anything goes! A strong graphic look and feel is my aim and I love to include a little bit of humour in my coordinates too. I love the classic look but I like to add a twist by using modern prints and colours that make my designs stand out from other patterns and designs.

 

The Mosaic Blooms collection features a series of prints, that have been cherry picked from various pointcanvas of Melissa’s surface pattern designer life and captures the approach she takes with each new design idea! We think these prints would work best for Home & Interior projects and fashion accessories such as scarves. Each of Melissa’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online to view the whole collection and choose your favourite fabric! 

Meet the Designer – Julia Reader

Welcoming the talented Julia Reader as our next featured artist in The Designer Project – along with her wonderful fabric collection ‘Flowers & Foliage’!  

To coincide with Julia’s fabrics being available in our Fabric Shop, she has also put together a guest blog which shares some background information about the artist herself, the inspiration for the collection and how Julia likes to work creatively. The blog is simply a joy to read! Keep reading to find out more! 

Julia Reader

Hello! My name is Julia and I am the graphic designer and artist behind Julia Reader Creates! I work from a small light-filled studio in Mount Gambier, South Australia in which I sell a small range of creative products from original art and textiles to paper goods. I also teach watercolour from a large, refurbished farm-house table! 

Watercolour paintings that will transfer to a pattern.

I live in the lovely Limestone Coast of South Australia. I am surrounded by nature and it fuels all of my creativity. I have a particular fascination with Australian native flora and fauna, but do love a dahlia too! 

Princess Gum flower – design inspiration

My creative process usually starts with a photo that I have taken. My phone is filled with videos and photos of plants and their flowers – it’s a creative library of sorts. This library sits idle until I have a brush in hand, of which I search for the image that talks to me the most. A lot of the time I have no idea what I will create, and I love the spontaneity of that. Some of my best work has arrived from having fun and experimenting. I also have a love for colour and this finds its way into my work naturally. 

Watercolour paintings that will transfer to a pattern.

I scan in my watercolour paintings and clean up the elements that I plan to use in my pattern. This can take quite a while to do, and oftentimes I don’t use everything that I paint. I tweak colours and layout until I am happy, and will also apply the pattern to a mock-up file just to see how the pattern will transfer to a product. 

Crab Apples Watercolour Motifs

Crab Apples Design Mockups

I have a large store of watercolour paintings that I sift through every once in a while. I love to re-purpose my artwork and combine different elements and styles, so having this archive of artwork allows me to do that. 

Stored Paintings for future inspiration

As an artist, my aim is to always create what feels aligned. By working in this way, my style remains authentic and will continue to evolve with me over time. I invite you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook where I share my work and my inspiration. Or, head over to my website where you can see everything that I do! I hope to see my patterns on your products in the future – and please make sure you tag me as I love to see where my creations end up! 

Much love, Julia 

 

Flowers & Foliage is a collection of nature-inspired, abstract prints that are influenced by the bright and wondrous things that Julia finds on her daily walks (she is a collector of leaves, shells, feathers and more). From the colour of Autumn leaves and crab-apples to the shapes of gum and grevillea leaves, these prints are designed with homewares in mind, but work beautifully on scarves, dresses and children’s wares. 

Meet the Designer – Tamsin Smyth

Our next artist in focus for The Designer Project, with her groovy, fun loving prints is Tamsin Smyth! Tamsin brings with her TWO incredible collections ‘Sunny Side up” & ‘Carnivale Geo’ for this feature, which we are ever so grateful for. 

Along with that, she has also put together this blog which invites you into her creative studio to see the behind the scenes to her creative process and how she dreams her patterns into being. Keep reading to find out more! 

Tamsin Smyth

Hello you! My name is Tamsin Smyth, and I am a surface pattern designer and illustrator living on a creek near Byron Bay. I have always had vivid dreams about pattern and fashion and colour. I was fairly obsessed with the wallpapers of the seventies, and I can vividly remember the fabric patterns of my colourful wardrobe from my childhood and my glamourous Mum’s outfits. Thanks Mum! 

Designing Process

I was absolutely obsessed with rainbows as a child, and my Mum helped me collect rainbow EVERYTHING. My life feels most centred when I am creating with and surrounded by colour, and colour makes my heart go plippety plop! Colours that sing, chubby shapes and flowers with a retro twist, is how I might describe my designs. With a passion for folk art and the natural environment, my designs tend to come from my imagination, which is my favourite place to dwell. I like to create my own sunshine through my art, and then share it with others. I am always surprised and delighted when someone likes my designs! 

Rainbow Clouds Sketches

I am so excited to share my collections, Sunny Side Up and Carnivale Geo, with the Designer Project and Digital Fabrics. Woot! I quite often dream a pattern into being. I will wake up and scrawl a pattern I envisioned while asleep. That’s why my sketches are so brilliant! LOL. The sketches never quite match the dream, but I really love where they take me. 

Fabric Swatches

I tend to create bold shapes with no outlines, but I do love a bit of hand drawn line and texture too. I am also entranced by the rhythms of meadow flowers, and I have tailored a rolling meadow and some sweet snowbells for this collection. Once I have the sketch scanned into Adobe Illustrator, I can begin creating the vector shapes and playing with a colour palette. Often the elements evolve way past the initial sketch, but it’s a sure-fire springboard (the peekaboo rainbows sketch is a great example!). Quite often my designs end up large scale like my sunrise and sunset blooms, and my lolly jumbo gingham. I love a chubby check! 

Tamsin in her Studio Space

I hope you find something in this collection to bring a little fun and whimsy into your life. I’d love to see what you create with them, so be sure to tag me on Instagram @tamsin.smyth so I can share the love!  

Sunshine and rainbows, Tamsin x 

Bum Bag Baby Muse

Sunny Side Up is a curated collection with a little bit of everything that Tamsin loves. The sketch here called Bumbag Baby is the muse of this collection, and she encapsulates the sweet fun and playfulness of Tamsin’s 1970’s childhood. The Carnivale Geo collection is a retro rainbow of tumbling fun inspired by the Ballet Russes costumes and vintage carnivals. Both collections feature the soothing hues of the seventies: peach orange, yellow and pale pink with pops of purple and blue. These designs would be great for any number of applications such as fashion garments, swimwear & beach wear, cushions, beanbags, table linen, tea towels, hair towels and robes! Each of Tamsin’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online to view the whole collections and choose your favourite fabric! 

Meet the Designer – Laura Armitage Vella

Next up as our featured artist in The Designer Project is the wonderful Laura Armitage Vella from Monber and B Designs – with not one…but two textile collections ‘Sand in the Suitcase’ & ‘Winter Bunny’!  

As part of Laura’s feature, the designer has also put together a guest blog which details her typical creative process as well as the things that inspire her! Keep reading to find out more!  

Laura Armitage Vella

What a wonderful way to start the Winter Season, I’m so excited to be here to share some of my designs alongside the talented artist here at Digital Fabrics. 

Sometimes I get asked what I do for work and I think it’s not really work – it’s just so much fun! I have always worked creatively studying fashion and working as a fashion designer for over 10 years. Before that, I was the kid in high school who spent lunchtimes in the art studio classroom working on creations and in primary school swapping other kids’ fruit roll-ups for drawings of dolphins. So it’s no surprise that I’m here doing pattern design and illustration, it did take me a while to get the message though but I’m so glad I did. Now I’m thrilled I get to share two collections with you here, Sand in the Suitcase and Winter Bunny. 

Sand in the Suitcase Collection Sketches

My style of creating and coming up with ideas grows mostly in a very predictable order, I think after creating so many clothing ranges I find creative freedom in the predictability of order. I’m sharing a photo of both collections’ brainstorming pages – can you make sense of them? They are messy but the ideas come fast so I quickly jot down the feel of the collection, print ideas and names of each print. 

‘Look Up’ design Original Sketches

I love working with photoshop but first I feel more flow working with pencil and paper and I like to play with the texture of paint and watercolour paper to get some saturated colour onto the page. I scan these into the computer and by this stage, the final print is really coming together in my mind and I wish sometimes I could work as fast as my imagination. 

‘Shell Treasure’ design Original Sketches

As I work on the colour and scale of the elements I’m thinking about what the fabric will become, and what will it best be sewn into. ‘Sail Away’ print I have always imagined this in a skirt or a shoestring cami. I’m really looking forward to sewing this idea up though I’m a very slow sewer it may take me a while but I’ll share this with you as soon as it is done. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of working in the creative industry is seeing how others interpret the patterns and what they will be created into. I would love to see what you would create with these prints or an idea you have if you would be ever so kind to share too. 

Winter Bunny Collection Sketches

I’m always creating and sharing little ideas and projects through my instagram account and newsletter and would be super excited to see what you do with these beautifully printed fabrics so please share with me @monber_and_b and Digital Fabrics @digitalfabrics it would make my day! 

Laura in her Studio

The Sand in the Suitcase collection is a trip down memory lane for anyone who has holidayed by the sea. Laura’s childhood was filled with holidays by the beach, waking up and going straight from pj’s to swimmers in the morning. Time was lost in the sand, creating games, building sandcastles and looking up close at all the small pieces of broken shells. Walking along the beach collecting shells only to look back to where you came from, and it is just a blurry dot in the distance. Eventually, the time comes to go home and on unpacking, there are always grains of sand in the bottom of the suitcase. 

The Winter Bunny collection is inspired by the winter season – floating in the dreamy innocents of our little cherubs. This season is full of excitement and discovering pure joy for our winter wonderland. Crisp mornings delighting in finding the last of flowers. Winter Bunny, our elusive furry forest friend. If you are lucky, you’ll see a glimpse of his fluffy tail running across the field as the first light glitters on the dewy grass. 

These designs would be great for a range of both Fashion & Interior projects! We’re thinking sweet pyjama sets and flowing dresses, or perhaps some cute cushions for your home? Each of Laura’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online to view the whole collection and choose your favourite fabric!