Monday, November 30, 2009

a design a day ... one

OK ... I'm ready to (nervously) show and tell what I've been designing and making ...

There have been snippets here and there over the past weeks, but over the next few days, I want to share my first commercial designs with you - one at a time.

But first - a little scene setting ... I am one of the many crafters who went to this years Stitches & Craft show in Melbourne, and came away inspired, renewed and excited. I thought about it for many months, and then decided to put my creative passion for design and fabric into practice and have a go at making it my "job". And so, yardage design was born - a business name and a goal in one - the goal is to print my own yardage fabric one day. For now, though, I'm printing onto tea towels. Everyone needs to start somewhere, and this product is a great stepping off point for anyone starting out small. After testing lots of fabrics, I'm using a hemp/organic cotton blend basecloth. I think it prints really nicely, has better sustainability credentials than many other fabrics, and works extremely well as a tea towel - which is really important to me. I sew them up myself too, which is quite theraputic (glass half full) or a little sweatshoppy (glass half empty) depending on how I'm feeling!

Moving right along ... today, it's my first design - what I call my signature circles. It was the design that inspired the business name, actually. These circles are my version of the end of a bolt of fabric.





 

I love this design, and can't wait to print some yardage fabric using these ... hopefully in the new year.

I hope you've enjoyed this little window into my design world. Tune in tomorrow for the next design in the series ... we're building to a finale later in the week!

Have a great Monday!

11 comments:

Gina said...

Love them! Good on you Nic. I can't wait to see more of what's on the table. Starting with tea towels sounds very sensible and satisfying. A great way to get a feel for what designs and colours work, plus who doesn't love a tea towel? Hurrah!

Unknown said...

How exciting! I am so happy for you! I love the design and cannot wait to see it in yardage! It's a great start of something BIG!
Have a great day!

Melanie said...

So simple yet stunning!

CurlyPops said...

Congratulations on taking a leap of faith and getting out there.
I loved the little sneaky peak that I had on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to seeing my favourite one!

Manda said...

Nice first print Nic. From little things big things grow :-)
Manda x

Cathie said...

Nic, they are fantastic!!! love the design, love the colours...any chance I can purchase one? let me know please ♥

Beck said...

Looking good Nic! Love the circles, they remind me of the haybales that we are seeing all over the place lately. I love a circle design, it just feels and looks so right. The teatowels all lined up in different colours look great too. It must be a good feeling that your inspiration from the Stitches & Craft show has led you to making your own individual pieces. I love this process and sharing in other peoples creative journeys through blogging. Hope you are having a happy day xo

Pippi creates said...

Small steps can change the world, and can definately change yours in any case. And the beauty of tea towels, is that one can never have enough! It is a great acheivement to have have gotten to where you are at. That is dedication. Can't wait to see the whole 'collection' together.

gret said...

Congratulations! They look fabulous. What an exciting week for you - I bet the rest is awesome too. :o)

Sarah said...

They look awesome, I would love to get my hands on the red one. Are you selling yet?

Nikki said...

Congrats Nic. It might feel like it is moving slowly for you but considering it was just earlier this year when things got started, you're doing so well. YOUR designs (yes.... YOURS!!!!) look amazing. Yahoo!!!