You know the drill by now. I’m meant to be writing a blog about setting up my own fabric business. Except, I’ve been too busy writing my blog to do anything about setting up my fabric business…
Until now, that is.
For, this week, I took one giant step towards making the whole fabric designing thing a reality.
I went right ahead and designed some of my own fabric…
Yup, you read that correctly. This person who’s been bleating on for so long about designing fabric actually, gulp, did it. This is what I made:
It’s cute, isn’t it?
I’m sure you all already know about Spoonflower, the amazing (US-based) website where you can upload a picture, turn it into a pattern and they’ll print it out on fabric and send it to you.
It takes a little while for the fabric to arrive here in the UK, but boy oh boy, is it worth the wait.
I used a free vintage teapot image and arranged it in a pleasing repetition. I’m delighted with how it’s turned out. Here’s a shot with a bit more of the fabric in it:
I’ve got something special in mind to make from this, which I’ll be sharing here just as soon as I get on with it… (Watch this space, eh?)
It’s not a cheap way of making fabric, and if I really manage to go ahead and set up a business, of course I’ll need to find someone to print it for me here in the UK for a much cheaper price, but it’s brilliant to see some things I’ve envisaged in my head right there in front of me on the weave. Here’s a final pic with the detail:
Next step: total word domination…
What do you think? Do you like it?
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- Update: I’ve since made a few more fabric designs. I’m less pleased with them than these lovely teapots, but do take a look and tell me what you think: Beetles and fish and lobsters, oh my!
Wolves in London 
I LOVEI and I want it. Is there a way I could buy it directly from Spoonflower instead of you having to ship it back to the US? The color is one of my favorites and so is your blog.
Awww, thanks so much! Yes, there is a way of buying direct from Spoonflower, I think I just need to set up an option of selling it. I’ll look into it though and let you know once I’ve done it.
Thanks ever so much. That is a very, very, very heartening comment to read…
I shall have a go at a few other ideas I’ve got now as well!
Absolutely gorgeous, I love the colour, what a stunning fabric!
Thanks Sue!
i love it! it’s the cutest! You should make one with your banner picture on it – I’d definitely make a skirt out of it 🙂
Oh, I know, my banner picture is gorgeous! It’s not by me though, but an amazing illustrator called Paola Zakimi. You can see more of her work here: http://www.paolazakimi.com/.
I think I’d make all my clothes from fabric with her illustrations on if she ever brought out a line!
I do like it! Very, very much! Oh I wish we had a UK Spoonflower! Could you set one up while you’re at it?
Oh, it would be brilliant, wouldn’t it, to have one in the UK… I’ll add it to the to do list, ha ha.
I adore it! I can already see a whole range (teacups, polka dots, jars of jam, cake stands….all in about three or four different colours) and made up into tea cosies, oven mitts and edgings of tea towels.
Thanks Wendy! Yes, I could see a whole range too, in some nice heritagey type colours. Cake stands, mmmmm.
I love the fabric, and the blog! 🙂
I’ve been fancying using spoonflower for a while too, but was wondering did you get charged for any import taxes?
I recently ordered some lovely stencils from the states but got a rather unpleasant surprise when a £40 duty/taxes bill arrived a few weeks after the parcel!
thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Victoria,
Oh yes, do have a go, I think it’s great. The import tax thing seems a bit varied — the first time I got charged nothing, the second time (when I ordered a bit more), I had a note that I had to collect it from the post office and I was charged £11 for it. Which was really annoying! The postman said that sometimes they check the parcels on the way in and sometimes they don’t, so it’s just random whether or not they pick up on your parcel… I did find it offputting though.
Sabrina
Aaaaa ok! It’s bizarre how hit or miss it seems to be! I’ll have a go anyway and see, will let you know how I get on!
Thanks!
Vic