Mastering the Art of Fabric Printing & Design – Review

By Kate Riley March 15, 2012

I’ve told you before that I hoard paint swatches, but did you also know I hoard fabric remnants as well?  Yes it’s true, I have baskets and bins filled with scraps and yardage of fabric I want to use somewhere, someday, whenever I get around to it. My idea of a perfect afternoon involves a good mocha and a warehouse full of fabulous fabric to admire and caress, and to add to my growing collection – I’m sure there are many of you that feel the same.

I don’t do many book reviews, but I was invited to be part of a blog tour for a book all about the process, or the art I should say, of designing and printing fabric.  Hello, sign me up – that’s one topic I find completely fascinating!  I was sent this lovely text Mastering the Art of Fabric Printing and Design by textile designer Laurie Wisbrun, published by Chronicle Books.

mastering the art of fabric printing book review

 

The 200+ illustrative text begins with a primer on understanding patterns from floral to geometric to ethnic motifs.  Various textures are discussed and then we’re introduced to the concept of repeat patterns.  You’ll learn all about mirroring, composition, scale, and layout, etc.

understanding patterns

 

Next up is a chapter on designing your own patterns, which includes all sorts of tips to consider before you begin, like what will the fabric be used for (apparel, upholstery, quilting?) and the different concerns for each.

general pattern design

 

My favorite part of this illustrative book (being the DIYer that I am) is the chapter on different hands-on ways to create your own fabric, from using a scanner to block printing and dyeing.

hand printing

 

If your more knowledgeable on the digital end, Laurie also provides numerous tutorials for designing your fabrics in professional software programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator, which definitely had me thinking I need to learn more about these programs to play with designs on the computer. Send your designs off to a printer like Spoonflower and you’ve got yourself your own custom fabric designed by YOU.

mastering the art in photoshop and illustrator

 

Peppered throughout the book are interviews with and profiles on some very successful fabric designers behind such brands as Marimekko, Mod Green Pod, and Ink & Spindle.  The last chapter is also about taking your ideas to the next level and going professional with your fabric designs, should you be so entrepreneurial.

going professional

 

It’s published by Chronicle, and as you can see, they always deliver both an informative and beautiful text and bonus, the cover is actually made of digitally printed fabric, now that’s cool. If you love fabric like I do, then you’ll want to add this book to your wish list – it’s a fantastic addition to any designer’s library. If you’d like to purchase the book for $20 to add to your collection, you can do so right here.

And guess what?  There is an extra copy of this lovely text up for grabs today!  Yep, it’s a surprise giveaway today and tomorrow only and one of you will win a copy of the book.

Eligibility to win the free copy of Mastering the Art of Fabric Printing & Design:

1) Answer this question, what’s your favorite fabric pattern in your home right now?  Is it a funky stripe, a fun floral, or a cool Ikat?  Do share for a chance to win.

One winner only, chosen at random. Giveaway ends Friday March 16, 2012 at 8 p.m. PST.  By entering this giveaway you agree to this blog’s giveaway policy and Official Rules of Entry.

 

*I have not been paid for this review, however I was provided with a complimentary copy of the text.  All opinions are my own. 

 

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291 comments

  1. Currently my favorite fabric in my home is a Thomas Paul fabric called Aviary in Turqoise! It’s beautiful and looks divine in my dining room!

  2. Oh my favorite pattern in my house Is this floral print, on the ethnic side, that’s on my rug I bought from Dubai. My aunt who passed away was a pattern designer in the 70’s an amazing one from what I hear. And my friend also is a pattern designer she used tO work for Martha Stewart and other high end name brands. Soooo excited hope I win!!

  3. My favourite pattern in my house is funky stripes on my bedspread. It has 5 different but cohesive bright colours and I love how it cheers up the room. I’m thinking for some time to start designing fabric for myself, as it’s almost impossible to find decent pattern in my country. this book would help me a lot :)

  4. I have a lot of African Batik prints in my house right now I love the batik effect.

  5. Mine would be a red and white floral pattern sham that has two different sides to it, one with more vines and less flowers. My favorite still! :)

  6. Oh i am soooo….retro…fun fun fun huge flowers!….squares, circles,etc. clean sharp edges! I love the 40’s 50’s and 60’s…..

  7. My favorite fabric right now is my springy scarf. It is yellow with orange and grey dots.

  8. Any color ticking pattern works for me…my favorite right now in my home is a tan/grey/cream stripe on canvas, down by the pool though, it’s a bold wide stripe orange and white awning…looks great with the blue of the pool water! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
    Kris
    PS- I have used Spoonflower and love them!

  9. I made the curtains in my living rooms from this amazing song birds on leafy branches fabric. The origin of the fabric? Table-clothes found on clearance at Target! Can’t imagine having this beautiful pattern hidden away under dishes!

  10. I just got a bright yellow, orange and turquoise Suzani-type woven fabric and made some pillows. I think that’s my favorite right now.

  11. I Love fabric also. My favorite fabric is a turquoise large paisley design with green and brown accents. It is striking and is in my Dining Room that is painted Hazel from Sherwin Williams. The rug in that room is a creamy white and brown zebra stripe. It is a wow room.

  12. Mustard, definitely mustard! I am painting my room a beautiful shade of turquoise, and I just think that mustard will be a gorgeous pop color!

  13. Would LOVE to win and learn more about fabric. Right now my fav print in our home is a Suzani print that I’ve used it in a couple different color ways.

  14. my favorite print in my house is an old fashioned black,red and green floral print in the kitchen…it’s an interesting contrast to the modern feel of my house.

  15. My favorite is an Amy butler duck egg blue print that’s in my kitchen pantry. Just love anything Amy Butler.

  16. Hands down the valance and upholstered chair seats I made in my breakfast area………..I bought several yeards of this beautiful floral print to make a duvet, but loved the print so much I couldn’t bare the thought of it being hidden away upstairs in our bedroom…..so…………now I get to see it all day – everyday! ;o)

  17. My favorite pattern right now is a zebra print that is on an awesome chair with curly wood arms that I garbage picked and had refinished. Wish i had grabbed the matching one but i was being a garbage snob and it had a little crack in it…

  18. The favorite pattern in my house is a huge light mossy green damask on linen that I made my curtains from. They work well with any color really and as a person who likes to change things, just adding different throw pillows works!

  19. I have some fabric that I’m planning to make into curtains for my kitchen. It has a geometric chain pattern, which I really like, but I especially like the chocolatey-taupey color of the pattern. Beautiful! I should have bought more of that fabric…

  20. My favorite pattern is the Chiang Mai Dragon that I have on the back of my dining chairs. It’s the perfect fabric in my opinion. A little traditional with the florals, etc but still a little modern in scale. I love the aqua background and it has so many colors in it, you can really make it go with anything.

  21. I am such a Pattern wuss in my own home. Over than throw pillows, everything is a neutral solid. Bo-ring! But I do have some great grey link pillows on our banquette that I love – nautical and pretty. I need some floral prints! I would love to read this book!

  22. My favorite fabric right now is an apple green and white medallion print table cloth by Dwell Studio for Target. They were on clearance last week, so I bought 5 of them and hung them as curtains in my craft room. The green looks amazing against the slate blue walls!

  23. This book looks fabulous! My favorite fabric in my home is a Dwell for Robert Allen design with branches & birds..it’s bold & subtle at the same time with soft grays & whites.

  24. My favorite fabric right now is a bold paisley print with tons of bright colours – it is so gorgeous I can’t wait to begin making some table runners with it!! Thanks for the surprise giveaway – this book looks awesome!

  25. My favorite fabric pattern is on a small sofa just off my kitchen. It has a yellow striped ticking background with red string flowers embroidered over the top. Old fashioned mashed with Fresh.

  26. My favorite fabric is the collection of floral prints that my grandmother passed on sewn into a quilt. The patches were from a design fabric sample book for floral chintz. They are all muted colors so not overpowering. Love the book! I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

  27. Looks like a great book! Like you, i am a fabric lover so picking a favorite fabric is so hard. I would have to say I am loving the vintage fabric I used to recover some stools.

  28. My favorite fabric is a modern floral. My husband was a bit dubious, but when he saw the curtains, he was totally won over.

    This sounds like an interesting book!

  29. My favorite is my comforter. It is Dwell by Target. It’s gray, white and bright yellow. It goes great with our blue wall color.

  30. Right now I’m hooked on adding pillows around the house in bold prints or geometric patterns just to add a punch of color and update pleasant but somewhat tired looking rooms! I would be thrilled if I won this because I have photoshop AND a spoonflower account but I’ve never got around to doing much with either!

    My latest (brave) purchase is Olive Rose by Valori Wells!

  31. I have a few Orla Keily tea towels that I love. One is her signature pear print. I also have this beautiful batic bedding I got from Anthropologie. I’ve had it for years but I still love it. Would love to learn how to print my own fabric!!!

  32. So many – but I just made some curtains for my little girl’s room with Wildwood and love looking at them every day.

  33. Mine is a large remnant I picked up in the neatest blue-green caning pattern-soon to be made into a roman shade for above my kitchen sink!

  34. Years and years later, I am still in love with two wrap skirts I bought on a study abroad in Senegal. To this day, I am still thinking of what to do with them other than skirts! They do lovely tiedye over printed fabrics and the combinations are mesmerizing! Would love to do some myself!

  35. I found this great blue and brown striped silk in the clearance rack of a great local fabric place (High Fashion Home in Houston… 4 floors of fabric, I could spend a whole weekend in there!). I immediately went home and recovered the dining room chairs, I just love the color combo and the feel of the silk!

  36. My fav fabric is the duvet cover we received off our Crate & Barrel registry for our wedding over six years ago. It’s a nice neutral botanical print that is on the perfect greige background with a cream print. I still love it and even purchased an extra when it went on clearance. It’s still sitting in our linen closet, but is about ready to make an appearance. Hopefully, once we sell our house and move.

  37. I don’t have a favorite fabric in my house right now…I am a recent newlywed with my first house, and am still struggling with many aspects of decorating; fabric being one of them! I am so indecisive and can’t decide what goes together, so needless to say we have no curtains or decorative pillows yet…would love to win this book for some tips! :)

  38. My favorite print is a hand-dyed silk my grandmother bought in Hong Kong over 50 years ago. I’ve kept it all these years, because it’s so beautiful and I can’t decide how to use it!

  39. I love latice work design.I’m redoing a chair right now that is bright aqua and white latice.Also working on a design to put onto fabic on Spoonflower.

  40. I love fabrics too, last year I sewed a pink ruffle pillow with a black bow and a coordinating bolster pillow in Waverly Fabric called Tres Chic.

  41. My favorite pattern in my home is a floral and paisley. Lots of aqua and red on a crisp white background.

  42. My favorite fabric in my home is a toss up of a silk Jim Thompson pillow in blues and ivory with elephants around the border and a print called Kimono Classics by Ramona Cummins that I used in my sewing room along with coordinating fabric. I am also now very fond of a sample that I obtained from Calico Corners called Lotus in cream. I am thinking of making pillows from it, but have not purchased tha fabric yet. Can you tell I love fabric?

  43. My current favorite is a Waverly floral print that I have several yards of. I’m going to make a valance for the eat in kitchen, a tablecloth for the dining room, and throw pillows for the den.

  44. I made curtains from a rusty orange and lime green cherry tree pattern several years ago. I still smile each time I see them.

  45. My favorite pattern is the floor length lace curtains in my kitchen! They are beautiful! Thanks for a chance to win the book! Sounds amazing and interesting!

  46. My favorite print right now is a vintage floral tea towel. This book looks amazing!

  47. My favorite fabric are the curtains in my bedroom – a purple/gray with silver/grey swirls

  48. oh what a lovely post. this was meant to be for me. I have always loved fabrics – can keep looking at them all day!
    my favorite at the moment is a upholstery fabric – meant to be sewn into a roman shade for my kitchen window is a light brown fabric, with big yellow flowers with smaller white flowers with shades of blue & fuschia interspersed in there. the texture is more burlapy than smooth.

  49. I really don’t have a lot of prints in my home- maybe because we have a lot of textures with our carpet & laminate floors. We all have nasty allergies so try to limit curtains & drapes (we have wooden blinds). I really like the look of Ikat prints right now & I do have some art deco – ish ( a new phrase) towels in the guest bath.

  50. I included my website because it is currently a work in progress as I am squeezing it in while working full time amongst other things! I hope to get it up and running soon. I think of myself as a “Fabric W_ore!” Please excuse the language but it is TRUE!!! If it is about fabric I am right there! I’m even a junkie and am totally addicted! LOL! Okay more seriously I have gone through several stages of favorites since I was about 7 years old and right now I’m addicted to anything linen! Seriously I just ordered in some samples to replace the loose pillows on my window seat in my dining room! Have you been to Hable Construction? I don’t want to give away exactly which one I am looking at but check them out! I plan to write about them!

  51. i’m currently loving a new duvet cover that is printed a rich royal blue modern stylised toile (i’m not a toile girl, but this is such a modern take on it). thanks for the opportunity!

  52. I’m still putting my house together (we’ve been here almost a year – gasp!) and haven’t really put any pattern into it. I just started working on what I might want now though.

  53. This looks like such a fun book – if I don’t win I think I’ll have to buy a copy. My sister in-law would love it! I’m totally into mixing different types of fabric as I decorate our living room. We just finished the a remodel, and I’m incorporating color through different fun fabrics!!

  54. My Favorite is a moroccan style print that looks great on kitchen towels!

  55. My favorite fabric happens to be one of several I incorporated into curtains in my kitchen. It’s a black background with French script writing, and roosters and hens spattered about. It’s a nice quality home dec fabric, and makes me smile everytime I look at it. The bad part…I didn’t measure as accurately as I should have, and there are areas where you only see chicken feet sticking out from a seam. Oh well. Thanks for the great giveaway!

  56. My favorite new pattern is a stencil I just bought to use with white and green paint.

  57. I’m a sucker for rustic, vintage linen. I’m also partial to knits and love to mix the softness of a knitted throw or pillow with a linen slipcover, often in a washed-out white or natural shade.

  58. My favorite fabric is a bright orange with black & white bird/branches motif in a contemporary style that I’ve sewn into a cushion cover. I have an obsession with fabrics as well.

  59. My favorite pattern isa blue a blue Ralph Lauren lattice pattern fabric. I love the crisp feel of the design.

  60. I absolutely love fabrics!!! My current obsession right now are stripes. But that should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. I already have a number of striped pillows floating around our home. However, I do have certain patterns I love as well. This looks like a great book. Thanks for the surprise giveaway!

  61. Love my West Elm carved circle window panels on a linen blend fabric-the combination of the light fabric and light printed pattern is just perfect!

  62. I love fabrics too! I get it from my mom, is a great seamstress! I am loving a beautiful brocade pattern on a lovely cotton/linen fabric. It is my master bedroom bedspread.

  63. Considering I am a very poor 20-something, I don’t have much pattern in my little apartment…yet. I do love the idea of designing my own fabric though!! I have used Golden paints on fabric (which can be heat-set in a dryer) to create these sort of cloaks for my Senior Project in Art while I was in undergrad. It is amazing to see a vision in your mind and then have someone wear it. This is an awesome giveaway! And I definitely enjoy these kind of reviews, otherwise I never would have known about this book!

  64. I am totally obsessed right now with a floral print from PotteryBarn called Vanessa Floral. I have a large 26″pillow on my dining room bench, pillows of the floral on my master bed, and I also ordered some yardage of the fabric to make some throws. I rarely use the very same fabric in different locations in my home but I truly love, LOVE this fabric!

  65. I’m loving anything striped these days…I think it reminds me of summer and I can’t wait for summer!!!

  66. I am loving navy right now, crisp navy and white graphics, popped with touches of spring green~

  67. my favorite fabric in my house is the grey linen curtains that have a pale gold polka dot embroidered on them!

    Keeping my fingers crossed! I would love to win!!!

    Kristina

  68. I currently love the over-sized print of the multicolor floral rug I have in the sun room. It features a brick red background with flowers and foliage in greens, pinks, and golds. It is totally unlike anything I’ve used before.

  69. Fun book — I would love to give fabric design a shot. My latest favorite pattern is probably a gray and blue plaid I just picked up.

  70. I too love fabric and beautiful patterns! My current fave in my house is an ikat that’s waiting to be used as the new upholstery for a chair that I’m reconstructing. Thanks for the giveaway!

  71. blue & white Ikea Stockholm berry & leaf print that is my living room curtians.

  72. I am a fabric junkie and I have tried my hand at dying and batiks and I would love to get my hands on a book like this. I am into linens and soft faded florals contrasted with stripes at the moment.

  73. I have a pillow in earth tone stripes that I absolutely love. All earthy blues, greens, browns and greys; makes me want to take a nap outside.

  74. I’d have to say I love the fabric on my couch – a green floral with birds on it. I picked the colors from this fabric and found a coordinating stripe for my valences. I’d love to win this book!!

  75. I just recoverd two midmod chairs in vibrant outdoor fabrics. The front is an acid yellow with orangey/red modern floral print while hte back is a white chippendale pattern on an orangey coral. So bright, so fun, so SPRING!!!! If it would only finally come to Denver!

  76. I’m really into bright floral patterns and ikat…..cant seem to make up my mind on which i like more.

  77. My favorite fabric is one designed from antique Japanese paper stencils, or Katagami. It’s made up of only two colors – a cream background with a simple navy floral branch design printed on it – but I just love it! I would love to win this book because I have such an interest in fabric design, especially with designing some new patterns for my handmade clutches. Fingers crossed!! :)

  78. My favorite is the brown and green floral pillow, it matches so well with the solid brown color of our sofa. Thanks for the giveaway!

  79. What a great book! My favorite fabric right now would have to be a fabric which I have been saving for some time now. Waiting for the perfect sewing project. It is a floral with teals/terracotta/sage green. My favorite color combination!

  80. I am loving a grey fabric with big flowers in all shades of pink right now. I do need to learn more about fabrics as I am dying to learn how to reupholstry furniture.

  81. I don’t really have any patterns in my house right now, which I am trying to include in my design. So the only thing I can go with is a small kitchen rug I got at World Market with a large, bright, paisley design.

  82. I would loooooooooooove to win this book. My favorite print in my house right now is a large-scale modern bird and branch print from KAS.

  83. My favorite fabric is a floral pillow pattern. It matches everything and cohesively ties the whole living room together.

  84. I just made a beautiful window valance for my kitchen, based on the one you crafted for your kitchen. It’s a beautiful neutral floral print (creams and yellows) I’m loving the colors, pattern and the fact that I was able to craft a valance for under 12 bucks!

  85. My current favorite pattern in my home are the curtains I made for our living room window in Annie Selke’s Links Slate. My love has been reaffirmed as I increasingly am seeing the pattern pop up in designer rooms as well as on a throw pillow on the show Smash.

  86. I fell in love with the floral print on my comforter–the rest of the room has to match with the blanket because it is my favorite print in the room!

  87. My favorite fabric is one I purchased from Calico Corners and made pillows with. It is orange with some sort of flowers but very understated and cream background…. my living room has tones/accents of blue and orange, so it works perfect!

  88. I also have a bin of fabric- just because it is beautiful! Thank you for inspiring me to upholster 3 chairs with some of it! I have enjoyed your site SO much. Thank you for your hard work Kate. I would love this book; it is beautiful.

  89. Mine is a raspberry velvet. I found it as a good size remnant and had to have it. I don’t know what I am going to do with it yet but the color is gorgeous! At least once a week I take it out and admire it. This sounds like a very interesting book!

  90. Right now my favorite fabric in my home is a really nice graphic fall leaf print. It’s not cutesy. It’s more earthy and bold. (Obviously I need to get myself out and get some more seasonally appropriate choices, don’t I? LOL)

    What an awesome book review – and topic! Thanks for the chance to win this book! I’ve always wanted to design my own fabrics.

  91. I have a friend who will love this book!
    My favourite fabric in my house is my duvet cover: silvery grey and white with a simple swirl pattern. So easy to spice it up with a variety of colours!

  92. This is a topic I would love to read about! My current favorite is a graphic print by Annie Selke in my daughters’ room.

  93. My fabric in the house right now is a natural stripe that we upholstered 2 wing back chairs in! With a couple of colorful throw pillows and a beautiful burnt orange cotton throw, we are enjoying a cool spring! I do not have a bucket of fabric but have a CABINET! Sometimes I wonder if I sew just so that I can buy more fabric!

  94. My favorite fabric print in my home is a soft floral on my ottoman that I recovered myself! It is tufted and oh so comfortable to rest your feet upon. :) The book looks so intriguing…and I love to try new things in art!
    Thank you for posting this article!

  95. My favorite pattern is a teal with pink floral print which I used to make a manner above my desk and to line the drawers of my plastic storage cubes. It’s very girly and out of character for me, but I love the romance of that fabric paired with some crocheted lace.

  96. I have a green toille that I love in my familly room. I would love to get this book. It looks awesome!

  97. I have a Suzani pattern on my curtains that I love. The colors allow me to incorporate a number of different fabrics into my room.

  98. I ponder where to begin! I have a few favorite fabrics. To pick just one seems unfair to the others. I could narrow it down to the geometric fabric patterns or the organic (naturalistic). They seem so opposite but I love the two types of Fabric. My favorite right now would have to be the Vintage Mushroom fabric. It’s a olive background, with colorful mushrooms in browns, oranges, and yellows. The fabric is an inspiration for a Vintage bedroom with pops of color.

  99. I’m really digging chevron stripe in a crisp black and white. Also a damask in a pretty coral. I also like to mix the two – good times!

  100. Loving stripes right now in all sorts of colors. I think they go with everything.

  101. Favorite fabric pattern in my home right now is my bedspread – its light pale blue with white flower pattern only at the bottom that “grows” up toward the pillows. Its a light smooth fabric & now that Im describing it, its kinda like the “cherry blossom japanese” look…just in light blue & white instead of pink & brown, etc :) Thsi book sounds wonderful & already has my creative juices drooling! LOL!! Thanks for a chance to win!

  102. My favorite print at home is my Crate & Barrel green paisley duvet cover. I love how fresh and clean it looks in my bedroom.

  103. The quilt I made with Amy Butler fabric.. Greens.. Yellows.. Greys and orange!

  104. Currently my favorite fabric is a Dwellstudio Suzani, just wish I had more so I could make some dinning room curtains.

  105. I am in love with Ikat. I recently purchased a lovely cotton ikat in cream, gray, and pale yellow that I used to make PJ bottoms for a Learning to Sew Clothing class. I can’t wait to finish the project this weekend – it makes me happy just to look at the fabric!

  106. My favorite fabric is a beautiful green and white pattern I used to make a pillow…it has leaf and bird silhouettes on it.

  107. How many creative pursuits can a girl have! Now I want to design fabric too.
    I have mostly stripes, but am liking my new burlap pillow with black script print.

  108. I don’t have much fabric in my house yet, but I do love my pillows that I made with painted sillhouttes on them. This book would be great to have, I might have to buy the book if I don’t win!

  109. My favorite fabric is our duvet from West Elm. It’s a chevron print in black and white. Classic colors that can be switched up with different pillows. Love it :)

  110. I love the Laura Ashley fabric I bought when I was pregnant for a nursery. That baby is 12 now and I still love it! Crazy, right? It is a white background with small yellow and white daisies on it. It is not a “baby” or “child” print, so it has grown up with her. And, her favorite color has always been yellow. Coincidence? I think not!

  111. This is such a timely post. I have some library books on fabric printing as I am thinking of block printing designs for my etsy shop and I would love this book. I am very much an anti-trend, global design kinda person so right now I love a tapa print we got in Fiji. I also love a polka dot matlasse purchased at Pottery Barn years ago.

  112. My favorite fabric right now is the fabric I bought yesterday from Premier Prints its the greek key looking print in the kelp(brown and ivory) color. I love to “collect” fabrics also. :0)

  113. I just love the ivory/black pattern on my living room lamp shades… they’re so chic!

  114. My favorite fabric right now is a magenta taffeta that I found at a whole in the wall store a few months ago. No idea what I will make with it but I too have bins of fabric waiting for a project. I would love to win this beautiful book.

  115. Generally, I’m a plain sort of person (solids), but I have to admit that I luv the blue plaid Japanese quilted coat that my auntie sent me from Japan. It has just a touch of a goldy-brown accent in the plaid. Not to mention that it keeps me toasty warm up here in Port Townsend, WA!

  116. Right now I love my black & white striped ticking- it’s been hard to find in this colourway. Although I also just found some hand screened fern botanicals I did in a workshop years ago- they’re perfect for small pillows. I just can’t remember how I did them. Maybe the book will help?

  117. I am currently loving Calico Corner’s Tilbury Lapis, a light teal, green, and brown IKAT print.

  118. I love the basic black and white cross-hatching of my pj pants. It’s a basic flannel from Joann’s.

  119. I had 2 rattan arm chairs and foot stools redone in a tropical leaf pattern that has a deep red background with a big green and mocha/biege leaves pattern. Works beautifully in our livingroom with the off white slipcovered sofa and loveseat. Adds a little colour snap, a warm tropical feel along with bringing the outdoors ‘in’.

  120. My favorite pattern is on my toss pillows. Love Chevron stripes in any color. My toss pillows are a dusty rose.

  121. When I was in about 4th grade, my grandma made me some sunflower pillows to go in my room – that’s my favorite print still.

  122. I’ve been really into bold stripes lately. This book looks like a great read – – thanks for the opportunity to get my hands on it!! : )

  123. My favorite fabric is a Dutch Wax African print in carmel and black that covers the coffee table in front of my sofa. I’m a fan of Spoonflower and would love to learn these techniques.

  124. what a great book! my favorite pattern is a vintage kilim rug in my living room, it has amazing colors like orange, hot pink, red, black, and purple that i found for an insane deal at a consignment store in alameda!

  125. A rich indigo Ikat throw from Indonnesia. It has inspired my whole living room.

  126. it would have to be my duvet cover which has a watercolor effect of purple flowers scattered over a grey background

  127. I use very little pattern in my home – usually texture. I made up some quick kitchen curtains in a cute spatula print from Spoonflower and they make me smile whenever I see them.

  128. I am torn between the fake cowhide print I have draped on a chair in the living room (I laid it out to look at it but the chair now looks bare without it!) and the tropical leaves in teal and brown I used on the panels in the last project I refinished. I can’t decide which is my favorite.

  129. I love the funky floral valance I just made for our downstairs bathroom! I am actually thinking about picking up some fabric medium to paint my own shower curtain…we’ll see!

  130. Thanks for sharing about this book. Looks like a beautiful book to read and learn from! My favorite patterned fabric in our home is in the form of a dress my daughter wears. It’s an unusual floral pattern with soft colors in coral, purple, blue and green. I picked it up from a consignment store and don’t know how else to describe it but the way it is put together has a very Japenese Kimono style to it.

  131. This is the saddest thing ever, but I don’t have ANY pattern in my house. I get stuck in thinking it will be the wrong pattern, so I just don’t buy. Shame, shame. I am however loving chevron still, and stripes are always classic to me (I do have one striped wall!).

  132. Well, I’d have to say it’s a toss up. I just finished a pillow with an off-white background, covered in black swirls, to go in a black and white room in my house; and a brand new pillow done in stained glass colors, called “Mosaic Medallions” by PK Textiles. It has royal blue, turquoise, and greens on an ivory background. Gorgeous!

    You can also see the black and off white pillow covers in my store here:

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/93814451/decorative-pillow-cover-18-x-18-black

    I’m hoping to win, as I, too, really love fabric! Thank you for sharing it with us!

  133. I have a mustard yellow bird print that I am working on making into curtains for the dining room!

  134. I have old chintz curtains in my guest room that have faded to a lovely soft floral.

  135. Too hard to answer! I love fabrics, so we have a bunch! Right now, my favorite is from my most recent project: the sunroom/playroom faux roman shades — bold colors in a block floral pattern.

  136. My mother-in-law used remnants from a friend’s old sari to make throw pillows for me. They’re tomato red with cream and gold accents–tres unique–love ’em!

  137. My favorite fabric around the house is currently of a gray and yellow pattern that I have yet to use. I’m thinking about using it to line the back of my new billy bookcase to add some oomph.

  138. I’m just getting ready to redo the master bedroom with a diy headboard. I’m contemplating a neutral linen or go for some pattern. Hmmmm…..

  139. Floral bird geometric – we like them all and use them too – fabric patterns in our house are eclectic

  140. OOOH Delurking to enter…. right now it’s the Waverly script fabric I just bought to recover the seat cushions on our leather sofa, to hide the scratches from the doggy toenails.

  141. I have drapes in a big floral in soft shades of gray, blue and yellow on a heavy vanilla fabric. It might be waverly; I have forgotten who made the fabric.

  142. I love ticking stripes – along with simple patterns in neutrals, reds and blues. I was just wondering if there were any books about fabric design and printing. This looks very beautiful and informative!

  143. I made drapes from my dining room from a large plaid silk. I love it! And I’m a hoarder of many fabrics too. This book would have me mesmerized for hours. :)

  144. I too hoard fabric swatches, remnants & cut pieces I simply have to have! My favorite right now is a Colefax & Fowler sample piece I carried around the globe & just recently made into a wall hanging. It’s a traditional chinoiserie in non traditional colors I love it!

  145. My favorite pattern is the florals on the dining room chairs. Its got all my favorite colors.

  146. I love all that colorful fabric!!! I don’t have much patterned fabric in my home right now, with the exception of two desk chairs. One is my great great grandfathers!

  147. I have a funky geometric print in blue and white that I admire lovingly each and every day!

  148. I have a huge paisley pattern that has a deep crimson background with elements of blues and golds and greens that I absolutely love. I made pillows with it to go in my blue and white bedroom, and while they all “go” together, I feel like the red is SCREAMING at me. Think I need to add a few more colors to the mix.
    Thanks for the opportunity.

  149. I am slowly trying to pull my apartment together. It has been very difficult to budget these expenses, but my boyfriend and I love stripes and just covered our love seat cushions in a racing stripe design that we made. He absolutely loves it and I love that he is interested in the design of our living room!

  150. My all time favorite fabric in my house is a Chinoiserie by Schumacher. I don’t recall the name of it, but it has a vibrant coral background with touches of blue in the pattern.

  151. I love stripes, they are timeless and go with anything. We are in a rental without our own furniture and striped cushions are saving me from drab. Thanks for the chance to win.

  152. That’s a tough one. I’ve collected fabrics and other textiles my whole life and am finally getting aroung to using some I’ve had 20+ years! My favorite probably is a Japanese print in a sort of tribal ethnic look blocked in my favorite colors of orange, rust and blue turpoise. I also love my Japanes Indigo prints and a beautiful emboidered hanging from Vietnam. My alltime best is probaly the Japanese indgo. I never tire of them and the variety is endless.
    CTD

  153. This is so sad but right now I don’t have any patterns in my home that I like. I have started a fabrc board on pinterest and am slowly gathering ideas. I also just recently got a sewing machine with the goal of making curtains and pillows to bring some pattern into my very boring house. To our defense we still consider our house new but now it has been 3 years so time to get on all those projects to mke it our home!

  154. I can never get enough polka dots! I have a robin’s egg blue with white polka dot fabric for my guest room curtains that’s just my absolute favorite!

  155. I don’t have much for pattern in my house right now. Hoping that will change soon. But I’m making a qut for my sister and it was fun to pick out the design for that. It will be made up of lots of rectangles and stripes.

  156. Most of the fabrics in my tiny apartment are neutral, but lately I’ve been all about spicing things up and bought some bold mid-century-modern inspired fabrics. They’ll be up as large curtains once I’m done sewing!

    Love your blog! :) Thanks for the chance to win such an awesome giveaway

  157. I just found a greyish/brownish linen type fabric with a pattern of tiny raised squares that is really neat. I plan to reupholster dinette cushions for a newly purchased RV. So it’s currently in my house so that counts…but not for long.

  158. I bought this amazing coral, navy, teal, & white chevron fabric @ JoAnn not too long ago. It’s just sitting in my bin, BEGGING me to do something with it. If only I could figure out what!! Everything in my condo is CAMEL color. The couch, the walls, the vertical blinds… I hate it. I need to bring some life to that place!

  159. The draperies in my home office are made of hot pink silk with lime green paisley embroidered in an all over pattern. I fell in love with this fabric the moment I saw it 7 years ago and I still love it today. This was the room to take some creative risks and they paid off. I took some of the extra fabric to upholster the back of my desk chair. I may not always be very productive in my office but it does look great!

  160. My favorite fabric right night is a floral fabric that I made into a headboard but I’m eyeing a new ikat for my office. Would love a copy of the book. Thanks for the giveaway! Love your blog!

  161. I just DIYed an ottoman with a subtle herringbone pattern on gray velvet! It’s my favorite fabric in the whole house!

  162. Yikes…I don’t have a favourite fabric in my house. They’re all very neutral because I’m too nervous to commit to anything that is more dynamic. I spent 2 hours at Fabricland on the weekend trying to pick fabrics for curtains. I walked out with 6 buttons and completely overwhelmed by fabric choices.

  163. I have a beautiful French cotton tablecloth that I love. Bought it in the Dordogne and it is a cheap, basic cotton with the best French pattern. Searched high and low for something similar when we went to provence but it was all high end fabrics.

  164. My favorite fabric in my home is an Ikat pattern of yellow, gray and white; so far it is on the roll but it is for drapery panels in my newly painted yellow with white trim guest room. I picked the fabric especially to match some vintage chenille gray, white and yellow bedspreads I got from my in-laws’ house.

  165. My favorite pattern is an ivory damask on my grandma’s slipper chair I inherited.

  166. It’s the yellow floral print on the quilt my grandmother gave me years ago.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

  167. Right now I am really into stripes but not chevron like everyone else … I would love this book to add new ideas to my home!
    Bj

  168. I just bought a yellow chevron print fabric which I am very excited about. Also I agree with you. I am a fabricoholic as well!

  169. Just last week I pinned a bunch of ikat patterns on Pinterest; having a hard time deciding which one to pick for my family room drapes. I am obsessed with ikat (and suzani, and batik, and florals, and pretty much everything :-)

  170. I have a really cute polka dot pattern in my daughter’s room.

    sweeper_bear at yahoo dot com

  171. I love the pattern of the Henny Rand Ikea curtains I recently hung in my kids playroom. The geometric figure 8 or infinity symbol, appeals to my logical brain.

  172. I have a beautiful trellis pattern fabric in creamy neutral colors that I can’t wait to use somewhere in my house.

  173. I have fabulous art deco gold chain fabric that I used to recover my dining room chairs. They were originally a garish green leopard print in velvet-gross. Now they are timeless.

  174. I recently made a couple of pillow covers out of what was originally a silk brocade skirt from
    Barney’s…that skirt was my gift to myself for finally grad school graduation. I haven’t fit into it in years, but the deep blues and gold geometric design looks beautiful in my bedroom!

  175. My favorite is the pink and orange owl fabric in the quilt I made for my daughter’s room.

  176. What a fun book. I’ve been thinking that it would be fun to create your own fabric design. The fabric that I like the best in my home right is one that I used to make a pouf. It has green medallions on a yellow green background. I love looking at it.

  177. About 5 years ago I ordered a loveseat and chair from La-Z-Boy. I went with black leather on the couch and it has worn wonderfully. The chair I chose to have upholstered in a wild, modern print of circles in various sizes and outlines overlapping and making a very bold statement. The colors include black to work with the couch, but also reds, golds, and burnt orange shades as well. It was unlike me to go so bold, but I have no regrets.

  178. The mix of floral with stripes in my girls’ room…can’t pick one they work great together!

  179. sadly I don’t have any fabrics in my home that i Like. i have no curtains or pillows because i’m trying to find the perfect fabric. It’s in my head but no one has pulled it out and made it for me! Ha, maybe with this book I could make my own. That would be awesome.

  180. My current favorite is a yellow and gray ikat that I plan to make into pillows (some day!) for our couch. Now if I could just find time to do that… :)

  181. My absolute favorite fabric that I have right now is a teal and navy blue leaf and paisley pattern. Sounds weird, right? I found it at a fabric market in China and fell in love with the warm colors and unique design!

  182. To be honest, I am liking some ikats right now. Or chenille polka dots. I don’t know; anything fun!

  183. I have a yard of Children at Play by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller Fabrics that is figuratively burning a hole in my sewing basket. It’s just the sweetest print. I’ve been searching for a cute pattern for a little girl’s dress or smock to make my 4 year old.

  184. I’ve just found a batik at Calico Corners, Deauville Dance in Gem (Ikat background with olive green, teal and rust flourishes) that I would love to use for some throw pillows.

  185. All of my curtains right now are stripes, but I have fallen in love with Chevron patterns. I especially love blue and white colors. They are so calm and remind me of the beach and blue skys, both things that are so relaxing yet beautiful at the same time.

    I love the idea of this book! I never knew there was a way to make your own fabric. Thanks for writing this review!

  186. My favorite pattern in my home right now is a floral/branch pattern on my new duvet cover. I’m so ready for spring!

  187. This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time! I have been searching locally for a class that can teach me the very topic that is in this book! Oh how this book would help me. I would love to somehow make a career in this field. I am also a “hoarder” of scrap materials, pretty towels, or pretty textiles of all kinds. Just fell in love with a sunflower felt pillow from Target. Love it. Anything yellow and grey right now.

  188. Love this post- being an artist and a fabric addict (like yourself) Ive always been curious of the process of designing fabric- I would love to get my hands on this book!!

    My favorite pattern (at the moment;) in my house is this lovely vintage yellow, turquoise, cream floral print that I have on custom pillows for our bed- I bought them form ETSY seller Planka Home- LOVE!

  189. Our home style is rustic with pretty neutral furnishing. Recently we re-did an old drab ottoman in an Ikat print of a combination of teal blue, tan and off-white. It really pops against our lighter colored, neutral decor and exposed wood in the home. Every time I look at it I can’t believe we covered the ottoman because it looks so professional and the print just makes me happy.

    By the way I really enjoy reading your posts, they are very inspiring! I have not yet met a home design blog that I make a point to read each day other than yours. Cheers!

  190. I love geometric prints mixed in with softer florals or ikats. My favorite fabric right now is Braemore Fioretto hands down.

  191. I too love fabrics and my favorite right now is a geometric from Annie Selke. I recovered an old dated wing back chair with this fresh, fun, and funky citrus and blue fabric for my daughter’s room. It’s amazing what fabric can do to liven up a room. :-)

  192. My current fovorite print in my house is the curtains I just made from a fabric with a white Moroccan inspired pattern with turquoise background.

  193. My most favorite pattern right now is my turquoise/white chevron printed table runner. It makes me smile :)

  194. My current favorite is on a pillow in my entry way. The fabric is by Anna Maria Horner from her Drawing Room collection. It is multi-color with loose florals and a sketch of a bird.

  195. I guess I would have to say my favorite currently is a striped pattern in my kitchen. I love fabric and am so glad to see the explosion of creative and beautiful fabrics available now online.

  196. My favorite is a classic marimekko red poppy flower fabric. I love color and it makes me smile every time I see. Its modern and classic and enduring.

  197. I’m obsessed right now with modern geometrics… chevron and moroccan tile designs especially. But my absolute favorite fabric in my house is on a pillow in my bedroom that I got on sale from Designer’s Guild… it’s a gorgeous magenta floral cut velvet and it’s worth every penny of the $65 (which was 50% off!) it cost me since it makes me feel GLAM every morning when I make my bed!

  198. My favorite print is still the floral in the quilt my mom made out of my grandmothers’ and great aunt’s handkerchiefs. Love this book. I have make myself stay out of the fabric store. :-)

  199. I juse made my own curtains from a Premier Prints Suzani slub charcoal; I love them! Whimsical but modern, not too fancy, neutral colors and they will go with anything. I do need to branch out into more colored fabrics- I tend to gravitate toward bolder designs that are more neutral.

  200. My favorite fabric print in our home right now is the navy toile bedskirt I recently made for our guestroom. But, once I learn how to make my own prints on fabric, I’d like to make dala (the Swedish horse) printed pajama pants and aprons as Christmas gifts!

  201. My favorite pattern right now is writing on curtains and pillows. So far I have been very boring with patterns as I am not sure what to do with what I already have in my home. Lately I have checked out many design books from the library and trying to get a feel for what is balanced with particular colors etc. It is a work in progress.

  202. I love all kinds of fabric but anything toile or damask always captures my eye!

  203. I do love florals. I would love a copy of this book. I’ve always wanted to learn about textile design.

  204. If I had to chose one I would probably pick the cream and brown vine pattern on my two armless chairs in front of my fireplace.

  205. I have a beautiful red and coral floral linen fabric that I will be making into a duvet cover soon. It’s intended for my guest room but I think it might end up in my room.

  206. My favorite print is covering a host and hostess chair for my dining room. It has my favorite colors shown in flowers, shells and corals. From this one design, I have used the colors to decorate my whole condo.

  207. Oooh… I would love to learn how to print my very own custom fabric. My favorite is chevron and ikat designs.

  208. I recently made a new ironing board cover from some Ikea fabric I had laying around. It’s a cool black and white design with bubbles and swirls — seeing that print almost makes ironing enjoyable, almost.

  209. One of my favorite fabrics we use in our Master Bedroom PORCELAIN ROSETTE BLUE BY RALPH LAUREN- bought my first comforter set at Macy’s and loved the fabric so much that I bought the
    same comforter to replace our worn out first one. I never tire of the design….luvt it!!

  210. One of my favorite fabrics we use in our Master Bedroom PORCELAIN ROSETTE BLUE BY RALPH LAUREN- bought my first comforter set at Macy’s and loved the fabric so much that I bought the
    same comforter at Marshalls to replace our worn out first one. I never tire of the design….luv it!!

  211. My favorite pattern has always been damask…or is it toile? Can’t go wrong with a classic!

  212. My favorite pattern doesn’t live in my home yet, but its an amazing southwestern black and white patterned wool blanket from Alice’s Vintage in Napa. I saw it yesterday, and dreamed about what my home would like centered around it last night. I’d love to win the book!

  213. I just bought an ikat pattern duvet set, and I love it! The colors are really bright – red, pink, purple and turquoise, and it makes me smile every time I see it.

  214. Wow! I have been swept up in the ikat design fad and need a touch of it in my bedroom.

  215. Definitely in need of some more patterns in my house, but really like my bedding….it’s a white and gray vintage inspired floral from Ikea of all places and is very clean and calming which is just perfect for my bedroom!

  216. Hi Kate! I just found your site via the Lettered Cottage and I LOVE everything! I am an instant fan!
    I was actually thinking the other day how much I would LOVE to design my own fabric and I was wondering how to go about it…{I love designing from the ground up and my whole house needs a face-lift}…this book sounds wonderful! Thank you for your review. I know I missed the contest. I am not writing for that, I just wanted to say thank you.
    You have a beautiful website, a great personality, and I plan to be back again and again.
    I will be purchasing the book.
    Have a Wonderful Day!
    Amber

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