A step-by-step peek into how I build surface patterns with heart and harmony.
It always starts with a spark—sometimes a walk in the garden, a scribble in my sketchbook, or a memory that makes me smile.
In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing my full pattern process, from the very first pencil stroke to the final repeat design. Whether you’re curious about how your favorite patterns come to life, or you’re an artist looking to find your flow—I hope this inspires you.
Step 1: Gathering Inspiration
I always begin with a theme or feeling. Sometimes it’s a color palette (hello lemon yellows!), a season, or even a saying. I’ll gather images, colors, and words into a mood board to focus my energy.
Step 2: Sketching Motifs
I usually sketch by hand first—flowers, fruit, doodles, lettering—then refine in Procreate. This part feels intuitive. I’m just playing, exploring what feels joyful and organic.
Step 3: Digitizing + Cleaning Up
Once I have my key elements, I scan or export them to Photoshop or Illustrator. There, I clean up the lines, vectorize them, and begin to organize them into pattern-ready pieces.
Step 4: Building the Repeat
This is where the puzzle begins! I try a few different layouts: tossed, half-drop, grid. I adjust spacing and scale, making sure the flow feels natural. This part takes time—and lots of zooming in!
Step 5: Color Play + Final Polish
I test a few palettes using swatches I’ve saved or created. Color brings everything to life—it’s the magic moment. Once everything clicks, I finalize the file, label it for Spoonflower, and prep mockups.
With love and color,
Jules