Well, I finally have enough saved up for this software that will help facilitate pattern creation.  I’ve been using it for awhile in the demo mode, making patterns, saving them, then reopening them to switch to another pattern. I’ve also been reading anything I can get my hands on in textile design, pattern design and surface design. I know more about patterns and tesselations than I thought was humanly possibly.

Did you know that there’s only 17 true variants of a “block” or starting point of a design, to make a pattern? 17. In the whole world, only 17 different variants to patterns you see in the floors in hotels to the patterned walls of The Alhambra. What I enjoy the most about pattern design, is that I can start to see the math in how something is created. Numbers and lines start to form at intersection pivot points, and I can break apart a patterned wall into it’s bare elements in a matter of minutes. This zen-like practice is why my wife is forced to sit there for 15 minutes while I stare dumbly at the floor in a hotel or at a set of curtains in Ikea for 12 minutes.

On top of this, there is the actual elements of patterns themselves. This fabric medium is predominantly in the past been linked to awful practices of indigenous workers, coupled with jobs being sent overseas to factories where the workers are mistreated. Couple this with people’s awareness of these practices and I personally feel that if this is something I’m going to be doing, I need to be mindful of the practitioners of production as well, and do my part to encourage best practices and safe work environments.

Recently, I’ve been looking into production costs, which are exorbinantly high. I’ve looked at sites like Spoonflower, Naked and Angry, Fabric on Demand and other digital printing methods. I’ve come to the conclusion that there really is no real custom print places that can sell cheap enough at the runs that they’re used to, to make a profit without charging on average anywhere between 15 to 20 dollars a yard, which means that I can’t mark up my product to make a profit because the market itself won’t pay more than around 10 to 15 dollars per yard.

This leads me to believe that I need to look into China for manufacturing or somewhere else to get the actual fabric printed. Or, I need to find art representation, and sell the patterns to actual design houses for interior design, like Marimekko or Kravet and not really worry myself too much with production.

This is where I’m at right now. I’m at a crossroads. I’ve done about 2+ years of research into this industry; patterns, color trends, production, global business, the history of the textile industry in America, print production, fashion, fabric selection, cotton vs. duck, stretch fabrics vs. canvas, colroways, etc. I’m feel pretty confident that I know enough to start to actually work in this industry on a regular basis and hang with the big dogs. I can think on my feet, and learn more as I go.

My battleplan is as follows, continue to learn and read and look at the market. It’s pretty elusive, as it’s two levels up from the consumer in terms of finished product. It would be like getting into lampshade manufacturing as a trade, instead of selling lamps. So, I need to make a decision as to whether I’m going to make more, start a book and shop around my patterns or if I’m going to start doing yet MORE research into production and start looking at manufactures to make and sell the actual raw fabric online. To me, the first one is where my heart is, the business side of things is something i’m interested in, but making pretty things is way more fun than trying to talk yardage and quantity and shipping rates with Chinese textile factories. (Which I’ve done.)

I’m going to be releasing several different vehicles to drum up awareness of the fact that I’m doing this, and trying to get my name out there. First, these patterns translate themselves very well to computer wallpapers and iphone wallpapers. So, I’m going to be starting to release these on a regular basis as I get my book together.

I’m also going to be using social media to garner interest, and do some A/B testing in terms of what people like, don’t like when it comes to patterns. We’ll be looking at color, size of patterns, the elements etc. It’s gonna be like art school again.

Last, I’m going to look and see what kind of products this pattern thing can translate on. I’m focusing on homewares, because it’s easier to make a collection of something translate in that space, then moving into other very niche but not as broad areas such as exclusively working in fabrics.

Also, if you could give me ideas, feedback etc. I would love that. This is a labor of love, and it’s nice to know when people appreciate your stuff. If you do, please tell me.

And with that, my first Iphone Pattern for this month: Mandala Tie-Dye.