Posts Tagged ‘fabric’

Personal Patterns off the Runway

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Designing Patterns

Project Runway pattern design

Spoiler Alert.

I hope everyone already caught last week’s episode of Project Runway, and if not, you should run and watch it now. On the latest show, the designers were put to the challenge of creating their own signature fabric prints to incorporate into a finished look, representative of their personal aesthetic. The designers had one whole hour (I’d like to see what they could have come up with in more time) to draw out their prints on a HP All-in-One desktop PC. Some were hideous (Check out Mila’s rainbow mess), and others were a success with the judges (check out Emilo Sosa’s graffiti styled brand pattern). After creating the patterns on the computer, they were then printed digitally onto fabric. The idea of printing my own fabric made me green with envy. I’m a nut for interior design, so getting to further personalize my home using my own graphic design prowess excites the banana’s out of me. Unfortunately, the task seemed way out of reach.

As luck would have it, I wondered across this gem of a web site that let’s you upload your artwork and purchase your very own fabric masterpiece. Best part is, that it won’t break the bank and there is no minimum! I think it’s time to start getting creative. Need help creating your own patterns? Check out this post on creating seamless patterns in illustrator.

FYI, (for those in the know) I hope I never have to hear “T.G.” used as a nickname ever again. You’re killing me Mila.

Aloha!

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

I’ve just returned from Hawaii, and am trying to get used to these gray Portland skies. Here’s a little taste of the islands to spice up this dreary day.

The Traditional

Traditional Aloha shirts (known as Hawaiian shirts on the mainland) are usually adorned with traditional Hawaiian quilt designs, tapa designs, and simple floral patterns in more muted colors. The Aloha shirts manufactured for local Hawaiians are considered formal wear in business and government, and thus are regarded as equivalent to a shirt, coat and tie. These shirts often are printed on the interior, a style called “reverse print,” resulting in the muted color on the exterior.

Aloha_Tapa

The Contemporary

Contemporary Aloha shirts are often brilliantly-colored with floral patterns or generic Polynesian motifs, and are worn as casual informal wear. They may have prints that don’t feature any traditional Hawaiian quilt or floral designs and instead may have elements such as automobiles, drinks, surf boards or other elements arranged in the same pattern as a traditional Aloha shirt. The modern Aloha shirt was created in the early 1930s by Chinese merchant Ellery Chun in Waikiki, when he began sewing brightly colored shirts for tourists out of old kimono fabrics he had leftover.

Aloha_Mod

Design Forecast: Houndstooth

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

This print definitely has a checkered past, but it’s on its way back in! The French call it pied de pole (chicken’s foot) due to its characteristic broken checks,or abstract four-pointed shapes. The Houndstooth check was made classic by its use in fabrics in the 30′s through the 70′s, and now it’s coming back in full force. We’ve caught glimpses of this traditional black and white pattern popping up in fashion, interior design, and even recently was spotted on the back of a car.

CHECK out why this pattern rocks our socks:

A.) It adds a traditional/vintage flair into any piece it is applied to.
B.) It can be bold or subtle, based on the size and scale of its use.
C.) It can have a very modern and current feel when it’s paired with a bold color.

Though this print has been popular in the textile industry, we predict its widespread growth beyond fabrics, slowly invading our coffee cups, iPhones and computer screens. So be on the lookout—we’re sure you’ll be seeing this patterned print everywhere in the near future!

Houndstooth

The Re-emergence of Plaid

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

We might be having a middle school flashback, but Plaid is back and it is HOT. Whether the look is classic Burberry, 90′s grunge, school girl chic or a Clueless throwback—it’s all about plaid. When it comes to the runway and celebrity looks, this bold pattern is everywhere.

plaid_runway

plaid_celebs

When it comes to interior design, this cross-hatched pattern is no longer reserved for dingy basement couches. We’re loving the modern takes on this preppy pattern.

plaid_interior

But we’re most excited to see the creative ways the tartan craze shows up in graphic design. Here’s a little taste—we’re sure there will be more where this came from.

design,gráfico-a671f369d30f2d52788a3c5eac5208df_h