a new fabric design in the works ...

This week I've had some time to start turning some of the ideas in my notebooks into actual designs. The abundance of carved wood, ornate stone buildings and the influence of art nouveau in Spain has featured heavily in  my sketches. This is a sneaky peek at the design I'm working on at the moment ...

This design is at the final tweeking stage. When I get to that stage, I print it on to some paper backed fabric (just through the computer printer) in colours I'm thinking about. I always find a need to feel it and drape it all over the place before I decide whether to go ahead with handprinting yardage. This one is nearly there. If you haven't already, sign up for my newsletter (top of the column on the right under "about me") and you'll be the first to know when it is released. I'm thinking fresh new colourways in pale blue and cool green ready for spring ... thoughts?

In other news, the Yardage Design SHOP is now OPEN again. I will be back in Australia on the weekend, so orders will be posted from Monday. Early birds will snag a few left-over bargains!

More creative spaces here.

how to enter the world of textile design

This e-book was launched today, and while it is focussed on the quilting part of the industry, from what I read of my copy today, there is lots of really useful info in there for everyone, and it's really well written. Lizzy House is a young and dedicated textile designer who wanted to share the information that many keep to themselves about how to start in the industry - what a breath of fresh air! I really like what Amy Schimler wrote in the foreword (I couldn't have said it better myself):

It can be a bit of a dilemma for artists in terms of sharing information. It is a lot of hard work for all of us in this business and it is a very competitive business. I think there is a way to balance giving helpful advice with the understanding that anyone asking is still going to have to do their own hard work in developing their personal style and establishing relationships with clients. That is not something you can give anyone.

I just thought you might be interested! You can buy your copy to download here. Cheers!