Sunday 6 April 2014

Seed Head Fabrics For Handmade Monday


Today i want to share with you an idea i've had for a new range of fabrics with a simple style, and rustic feel. I'm really excited about this collection although its still very much a work in progress... As always i look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Seed Head Fabrics

Regular readers may remember a while back i took a collection of photographs of nature finds on a white background... some of them are featured on this set of five post cards available from my Print and Paper shop on Etsy.


I have lots more that i haven't used for anything yet but i've kept them in the back of my mind, waiting for inspiration to strike. I especially love the structural elegance of the dried teasel stems and other seed heads... i have some in a vase in the house and i was thinking how beautiful the shapes were when i had the idea of turning my photos into silhouettes to use for fabric designs!

The idea of using the true form of the stems as they are in life, rather than drawing the shapes myself really appealed - i hoped it would lend a more natural, rustic quality. Happily the inspiration to create these designs coincided with the arrival of a much more comprehensive colour code chart from Spoonflower (printed onto a yard of fabric rather than the 8x8inch swatch chart i have been using), so i've been able to pick some gorgeous muted shades which i think suit the natural style really well.

Without further ado then, here are the designs i've come up with so far... to give you a clearer idea of how they look i'll show a single stem and then the print as it would be on a 21x18 inch piece of fabric.

Seed Heads










Teasel 








That's as far as i've got although i have lots more designs in mind. I'm excited to see how they look when they're printed though so i might just get some samples of these before i do anything else!

What have you been up to this week? I look forward to finding out on my weekly stroll around Handmade Harbour :) x

30 comments:

  1. I love the seed heads as an image but must admit to preferring the blue to mushroom colour:) Nature is stunning:)

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    1. Thank you! Hehe that's okay, mushroom's not everyones cup of tea is it! :) x

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  2. These are so subtle and would lend themselves to almost any project. I just love their stunning simplicity x

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    1. Aww thank you Josie, i'm glad you like the simplicity too! x

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  3. Beautiful in their simple outlines - I prefer the mushroom background although the blue is very nice as well!

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    1. Thank you! Hehe i think that makes it one all to the colours! x

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  4. So simple and yet so beautiful!

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  5. Love anything rustic, and those fabrics really fit the bit. I like the blue you've used too. They reminded me of those bouquets with lots of seed heads and honesty in them - beautiful.

    Have a great crafting week,
    Alison

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    1. Aww thank you Alison, i'm glad you like them! :)

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  6. Very pretty designs, and the gentle, subtle colourings are ideal - love them! Have a great week x

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  7. You've taken something very simply and turned it into a stunning design. I love the two single white background designs. Simplicity at its best xx

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    1. Aww thank you, i'm really happy you like them! x

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  8. Isn't it wonderful when inspiration strikes. I absolutely love the the seed head design. I could image not just using it for soft furnishing but also for a pretty spring top. Have a lovely week.
    Ali xx

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    1. Yes it is, and it always happens when you least expect it i find!

      Aww thank you, i'm really glad you like the :) I thought of soft furnishings too but i love your idea of a spring top! x

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  9. I do like the idea of seed heads, and I like both the colours you have used. Very gentle and subtle. My only thought is could you flip them, so it isn't just a straight repeat. No idea how easy that is to do.

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    1. I'm glad you like them!

      That's a lovely idea and not difficult to do at all, i will give it a go! :)

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  10. Such pretty rustic designs,x for someone who loves bright colours I actually really like the mushroom shade, as I think this lends itself well to the images. I look forward to seeing more x

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    1. Aww thank you, i'm really happy you like them :) x

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  11. I love your cow parsley and thistle head designs.

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  12. The seed head images are gorgeous, prefer the mushroom colour as it is more natural. Hope you have a good week.

    Jill, Christmas Pie Crafts

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  13. Your nature finds have turned into great designs. I love the mushroom shade. I think it would be perfect for Autumn themed crafting.

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    1. Thank you Stephen! That's a lovely idea :) x

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  14. I love nature and these are beautiful, so detailed x

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Your lovely comments are much appreciated x