How to make your own
FILWOOD FABRIC A step-by-step guide to design, make and print your own Filwood-inspired patterns and fabric Ellie Shipman
STEP 1: DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION • Look around your local area for inspiration. This could be noticing interesting shapes in pavements, shops and gardens; or food, objects and people... • Draw a picture of your favourite piece of inspiration below using a quite thick black pen. This will form the basis of your pattern.
SEE THE RED BOXES FOR FURTHER RESOURCES... Drawing tips: bit.ly/drawingtips18
STEP 2: CREATE YOUR PATTERN • • •
Scan or take a photo of your drawing. Use a free online pattern maker to make a repeating tile using your own drawing and adding other shapes and anything else you like! Download your tile at 300dpi and save it.
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Alternatively, use Adobe Illustrator and the pattern making function under the ‘Object’ menu then choose ‘Pattern’ and ‘Make’. You can then tile, repeat and play with your drawing to make a repeating pattern. This will automatically save as a ‘Swatch’. You can then add this swatch as a ‘Fill’ in shapes.
Free tile pattern generator: www.bgpatterns.com Creative online classes, first 2 months free: bit.ly/skillclass18 Recommended surface design class: bit.ly/surfacedesign18 If you need digital support, chat to Knowle West Media Centre!
STEP 3: PRINT YOUR FABRIC •
Think about what you might like to make with your pattern and what type of fabric would work well. Perhaps a Soft Velvet for a cosy cushion, a durable linen for a tea towel or a simple cotton for clothes or homeware...
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Upload your pattern as a repeating tile or a large image as a PDF or JPEG to a digital fabric printing website, such as WovenMonkey.com. Make sure you check your resolution is over 150dpi when uploading and double check your proof!
• Fabric printing starts at around £14.50 per metre, which is 150cm x 100cm. You can even get a ‘fat quarter’ or 20 x 20cm sample from £8! Digital fabric printing: www.wovenmonkey.com Eco-friendly digital fabric printing: www.contrado.co.uk/fabrics Or print onto mugs, t-shirts, stationery and more...
STEP 4: MAKE YOUR PRODUCT • Once you have received your fabric in the post you are ready to make your product! •
There are plenty of ways to design and make your own products, from a simple two sided cushion to hemming a tea towel or tablecloth or making your own clothes or toys.
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Talk to Filwood Community Centre about being part of their community shop in the cafe, or join local sewing group ‘Sew Clever’ or the Knitting Group at Filwood Library. Maybe set up your own!
• You could keep your item/s for your home or even set up your own Etsy shop or website. Join a making course at KWMC’s The Factory: bit.ly/KWMCcourses Make your own cushion, a step-by-step guide: bit.ly/cushion18 Tips to help start your own Etsy Shop: bit.ly/successshop18
FILWOOD FABRIC SWATCH BOOK Patterns designed from drawings by local residents of Filwood and Knowle inspired by the past, present and future of Filwood.
Original drawing by:
Gary McDonald
Original drawing by:
Anon (KWMC Summer Course)
Original drawings by:
Jude Richardson and Charlie Firth
Original drawing requested by:
Jill Davis
Original drawing by:
Lesley and Bristol Community Links South
Original drawing by:
Lesley and Bristol Community Links South
Original drawings by:
Jude Richardon
Original drawing by:
Member of Bristol Community Links South
Original drawing by:
Anna Lewis
Original drawing by:
Reading Club member
Original drawing by:
Kesha
Original drawing by:
Natalie Firth
Original drawing by:
Natalie Firth
Original drawing by:
Knowle West Fest attendee
Original drawing by:
Kashif Ahmed
Original drawing by:
Library Reading Group
Original drawing by:
Carol
Original drawing by:
Mia Milkins
Original drawing by:
Kashif Ahmed
Original drawing by:
Library Reading Group
Original drawing by:
Charlie Firth
Share your creations!
#FILWOODFABRIC Ellie Shipman eleanorshipman.com
Filwood Fabric is part of the Living, Working, Making Together programme of artist residencies at Knowle West Media Centre: martha.king@kwmc.org.uk
KWMC is supported by: