Mod Green Pod's Special Edition 2011 Anticipate Fabric

Mod Green Pod, one of my favorite designers of eco-friendly fabric and wallpaper, has come out with a special edition of their Anticipate fabric for 2011. The print typically comes in a lovely gray and black color combination, although it can be customized, but the special edition print is colorful and has me thinking spring. The unlikely color combination of this rococo inspired large scale print includes light pink, fuschia, red, green, gray, and chartreuse. It would make absolutely fabulous floor to ceiling draperies which I can especially picture against a chic fuchsia paint. If you are a little bit of a color-phobe it would also make a great tablecloth or floor pillows. I needed a punch of color on this snow day.

First Chateau & Bungalow Designed Fabric Swatch!

As I mentioned a long time ago, I've been trying to teach myself how to design fabrics in a program called Inkscape. Actually, I spent quite a bit of time on it a few months ago, and then haven't really looked at it again. Conceptually, I'm pretty confident in my ideas, but actually figuring out how to make the designs transfer technically on the right scale and with the right lines isn't quite as easy to teach myself. But I finally got my act together and ordered a swatch (8" x 8") of one of them from Spoonflower. Well actually it's the only one that I thought was finished up enough to warrant it. I see some things that I'd like to tidy up on the pattern before I would print more of it, but overall I'm pretty happy with it for a first go at fabric design. I know pink isn't everyone's favorite, but I'm a pretty big fan and thought this could be cute in my daughter's room. Anyhow, I'd really love to hear what you all think of it, postive or negative.

Design Your Own Upholstery Fabric

Pears by kconneen

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've known exactly what I wanted for fabric, but couldn't find it which seems impossible when you see the millions of options out there, but it's true. So I was so excited this morning to discover Spoonflower which allows you to design your own fabric and have it printed on anything from quilting fabric to organic cotton sateen to upholstery fabric and even a linen/cotton blend canvas. They also offer a great selection of pre-designed prints by textile and graphic designers and I just love that you can have any of them printed on exactly the type of fabric you need for your project.

Weirdfishes by leighr

These are just a few of my favorites. I had to stop myself from spending all day browsing these designs.

Birds Tiled by yvonne_herbst

Dotsnlines2 by dolphinandcondor


Ovals Plain by joybucket

There are infinite ways that you could use this fabulous site. It would be a great way to use your children's artwork...scan in the picture, upload it and make a pillow from the fabric. Then you've got a personal, useful piece of art in your home or to give grandparents. You can also upload photos. I think I may dig out my old textile designs from my RISD class and try one out. And I clearly now need to get a graphic design program on my computer because this could be my new favorite activity. Prices are totally reasonable and range from $18/yard to $32/yard and you only have to order 1 yard. Happy textile designing!