Texture for Blenders

 

Hey there, plaid enthusiasts! Today, we are taking another look at the world of plaids and check patterns, affectionately known as Blender prints. So, grab your cup of creativity and let's explore!

Butterfly Trellis and Summer Plaid

Plaids and checks go with the hero print like the peanut butter and jelly of fabric - they just belong together!

I am a Textile Designer. For many years, I’ve designed woven fabrics for upholstery and wallcovering. With the explosion of digital printing in all markets, printed designs have become ubiquitous. Digital printing lets us create almost any design and lets me focus on watercolor patterns. But weaving is in my blood, I love a good weave texture! My friend Jen @manderleymakes, a quilt designer who runs the super fun membership, The Secret Society of Mystery Makers (don’t you love that name?!), tells me woven fabrics are trending for quilting. If you don’t have the resources for woven fabric, printed weave textures are the next best thing!

Rose & Blooms and Floating Square Twill

I’ve used a twill texture in several blender patterns. It adds that little special something that sets it apart from plain solid graphic patterns.

Blender prints offer endless possibilities for creative expression. They are so versatile and are often big sellers. These designs are timeless. For centuries, plaids and checks have been adding a classic charm to everything from clothing to home decor.

If your hero designs are watercolor like many of mine, or have an abundance of detail, a very graphic check can seem too flat. Weave textures are a great option to balance the simple blender with the dimension of the hero.

Little Roses and Gingham Check Twill

Last week I posted a tutorial, Create a Plaid with a Woven Texture using Adobe Illustrator. If you haven’t seen it yet, sign in HERE to try my technique. Find a PDF download of tips. too.

All the fabrics shown here are available in my Spoonflower shop.

Here are some Top Tips for adding weave textures to your patterns

  • Weave textures shouldn’t be scaled up or they become a pattern instead of a texture.

  • Weave textures that are too small will disappear in printing.

  • Find the best scale for the texture and use it for all design sizes.

  • Weave textures blend two colors of your pattern. Use color theory to keep from seeing muddy colors.

  • Try strong contrast and subtle contrast. They both work beautifully!

Until next time, happy creating! ✨🎨

 

What is it about plaid?

 

Tutorial Below!

Plaid fabric is a timeless favorite, characterized by intersecting lines and stripes that form charming squares and rectangles. Throughout history, certain plaid styles have become iconic symbols of brands, with Burberry's signature plaid being a prime example.

Burberry's plaid, known for its understated elegance, features a restrained color palette of beige, black, white, and red. However, the beauty of plaid lies in its versatility. It can incorporate any number of colors and employ various mirroring techniques, such as horizontal and vertical symmetry or unique combinations in each direction.

It's disheartening to encounter knock-offs of such well-known plaids, especially when the potential for creative exploration within the realm of plaid is so vast. Each plaid design can be as unique as its creator's imagination allows.

The Burberry resembles one variation of plaid, known as Windowpane Check. This style features a series of squares reminiscent of windowpanes.

Tartan, often used interchangeably with plaid, specifically refers to the traditional plaids associated with Scottish clans. These designs hold significant cultural and historical significance in Scotland.

Gingham, while similar to plaid, distinguishes itself with its overlapping check pattern, without the mix of varying line widths.

Madras, on the other hand, introduces a vibrant multicolored palette and a non-mirrored layout, offering a lively twist on the traditional plaid style.

Iconic Burberry Plaid

The versatility of plaid fabrics knows no bounds, making them suitable for so many applications, from pajamas and dresses to shirts and blankets. They effortlessly blend comfort with sophistication, making them a perennial favorite in fashion and home decor.

Creating your own plaid designs offers endless creative possibilities. To enhance your designs, adding a textured woven twill effect can elevate the look and feel of your printed plaid fabric.

To guide you through the process, I've prepared a tutorial on creating a plaid using Adobe Illustrator, along with a PDF download of Best Practices for Creating a Plaid.

You can find the tutorial HERE.

Summer Plaid, a printed plaid available in two colors on Spoonflower

In my tutorial, I'll be demonstrating how to create a plaid similar to my own design, the Summer Plaid in pink and cream, available in my Spoonflower shop

Summer Plaid in pink and cream

Summer Plaid in blue and white

This particular plaid, printed on cotton poplin fabric, exudes a soft, cozy feel that's perfect for a variety of projects.

Unlock the endless possibilities of plaid design and add a touch of timeless charm to your creations today!

Let me know how you like this method when you make your own plaids. Tag me @janethilddesign Enjoy!

 

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