Gifts From the Sea

My Gifts From the Sea surface pattern collection has been an interesting process. I’ve learn a lot from creating this collection. I created this moodboard with some photos I took while walking on the beach.

Pattern # 1 Sand Formations

I created a pattern that reminded me of the lines in the sand made by the flow of the sea. I loved the movement captured by the impressions in the sand.

Pattern # 2 Seashells

As I walked along, small treasures appeared which, I can’t help but pick up and take some home with me. To create the second pattern I choose a few shells to draw and then paint from what I collected and then scanned a lovely piece of dried coral for the background. I created this pattern using a tossed pattern layout and the neutrals from the color palette that I thought worked well for this collection.

Pattern #3 Fossil Shapes

The third pattern in the collection I created from fossils shapes in the rocks on the beach shown in the mood board photo I took. Their tiny delicate shapes looked almost lace like. I drew a few of the shapes and scanned them.

I’ve also started to add a note or quote to describe the feeling I have about these images and/or the why I want to create this pattern.

As I worked to put these three patterns together is occurred to me that this collection was about the sand, rocks and seashells found on the beach where there is no water around therefore no shades of blue. The more patterns that I create the more I am interested in creating patterns for fabric that I want to wear. This comes down to the colors I wear which are earthy tones and usually not too many colors in one pattern design.

The color palette I ended up with is more to my liking than what I had originally in the moodboard in terms of creating a garment that I will wear with this pattern collection as fabric. For this mock-up I’m using sewing pattern Vogue V9108. I can’t wait to have the fabric printed and sew it up for my next trip to the beach.

The Gifts From the Sea collection will be available at my Spoonflower shop soon.