All about custom printed fabric: how to design, where to order, and using it to build a business

[@MariahPattie]

Regarding the dress I'm wearing: It's an old 2018 project. Printed, but inspired by 18th C Grecian embroidered petticoats blended with a Kate Middleton dress. I never made a video because I didn't like the fit, but it's a project I'd like to redo this summer. On request, I published the original print to my Spoonflower shop, but it is one-size. If I redo the project and come up with a fit I'm happy with, I'll upload it with a proper range of sizes.

[@Stielstra123]

I really hope you do because I would LOVE to have (make) this dress but we are definitely not the same size!

[@lyreparadox]

If you're looking for (even more) money-makers to work on, an online course on fabric design and/or pattern drafting would be amazeballs! Plus, you could put in the work once and then just update it when necessary. Also, limited space Sew-Alongs - where folks pay a small fee to work on the same project you're doing and you all sew together would probably synergize really well with your channel. (Maybe do a test-run with that lovely dress you're wearing?)

[@halyeponi9391]

Please do

[@emileesaville]

Spoonflower is not better at black!

[@MariahPattie]

@Emilee Saville good to know smh

[@rtrfreight3635]

“Time is never wasted on a failure; you only learn from it, but it doesn’t make it hurt less.” Oh I felt that.

[@MrsBifflechips]

PSA on creating seamless repeating patterns, the free, open source painting program Krita has a Wrap-Around mode that repeats the canvas on the screen and wraps your brush strokes automatically.

[@jessiuss_juiice]

Also on the topic of programs clip studio paint has built in vector layers

[@BarbaraFischer4]

Oooh love open source! I've used Gimp & have heard of Krita...but might need to look into Krita.

[@anaisabelsantos4661]

I love your dress, it reminds me of portuguese traditional tiles. I'm not comparing you with a train station or a church but I can imagine your dress on a wall.

[@LaVaneBea]

Same

[@roxywillemse]

For the question asking if you could print onto fabrics at home: lino block printing with fabric paint is really fun to do, but be aware that the results will definitely have a 'rustic' feel. You carve the tiles of your design into lino, spread paint over it, and stamp it onto your fabric. I use this method for custom printing paper for gift wrapping

[@kyrieeleison2793]

Traditionally it was done with woodblock printing, William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement revitalized the traditional craft. Lino is too soft for accurate prints. Also, lino and other printing processes need some sort of press, stamping won't result in accurate or efficient transfer of the printer's ink.

[@erina6319]

screenprinting

[@skaterbakes]

OMG that chick(???) on your shoulder made me gasp out loud. SO CUTE

[@lugaruna]

OMFG:O i just spotted the chick and im dying of cuteness x3.

[@ameliegifford1477]

SAME I WAS LIKE HOLD ON WHY AREN'T WE TALKING ABOUT THE CHICK

[@lugaruna]

Agreed:D the cutness must be aknowladged:3.

[@lyreparadox]

If you're looking for (even more) money-makers to work on, an online course on fabric design and/or pattern drafting would be amazeballs! Also, *limited space Sew-Alongs* - where folks pay a small fee to work on the same project you're doing and you all sew together would probably synergize really well with your channel. (Maybe do a test-run with that lovely dress you're wearing?)

[@DamePerdita]

That dress is a fantastic Replikate-esque design! You are so skilful are translating designs into your own framework.

[@ellamarieeway3679]

So fun fact! If you have an inkjet printer you can print to woven fabrics that will fit through your printer (most home printers won't go above legal size) by ironing the fabric to freezer paper and cutting out exactly the size that will feed through your printer. You then iron it and I usually soak my fabrics in color fast dye solution, but it's a really nice way to make small scale custom printed fabrics

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Wow I had no idea any of this was out there. Your channel is the only one I have found that mentions custom fabric without embroidery.

[@reeree6682]

You, young lady are a brilliant star shining your light where others haven't gone. BRAVO!

[@susanlein7849]

a) I loved getting to hear more about your life, I find you very interesting and unique and this video answered some of the mysteries surrounding you! b) I am super jazzed about you publishing more and getting to do projects together! You have brought so much joy and creativity and plans to my heart!

[@BarbaraFischer4]

That's so cool about MFD's customer service and small team! I've had a few conversations with Spoonflower customer service, and have been very impressed!

[@lihndanpeioils]

omg..the youngest content creator with tons of information. I'm subscribed and will watch all the rest. Great job and thank you.

[@jag5798]

You are one of the most well prepared - get to the point - KZbinr. Thank you for being fast and without pauses. I enjoyed watching you for the first time and have subscribed.

[@charlijorkenson]

I love that when you were googling print on demand fabric companies it was the day Google celebrated the anniversary of the Gutenberg printing press - Gutenberg did books but it’s printing nonetheless!

[@gabrielleledesma1461]

You are one of the best presenters I have ever seen! I was blown away by the amount of information you included as well as the clarity, intonation and confidence your voice possesses. I would also venture to guess that you are perhaps an overachiever? Anyway, thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience, and some of your work.

[@etezesewvegan8517]

MFD is out of business. The reason I know this is because I was watching your KZbin video and immediately went to them to start my fabric design and what it said is permanently closed 😮. Aside of SpoonFlower which other company might you recommend?

[@emilyrln]

For those annoying white lines, I highly recommend using photoshop's single-row/column marquee tool to constrain the area you're editing and avoid messing up surrounding areas. Depending on the design, you might even be able to copy an adjacent row/column and paste it, then make a few tiny edits to correct the edges of your shapes.

[@almohvn33]

OUTSTANDING VIDEO.. as a graphic designer for Army (yes.. besides Engineer, QM and TRANS) and government, I know what she is talking about.. and she nails it! Great great outstanding job!!!!! Spoonflower needs to PAY you for this video ... cause... they really do SUCK in intel on HOW TO.... Yes, I said it!

[@littlecanvases]

Awesome fantastic wonderfulness. I appreciate the time you took - and the time you did not take - perfect points delivered clearly and quickly. My time was well spent thanks to your level of professional production in this video - thank you so much!

[@LinaPiprek]

This is such an interesting video! It was so cool to hear about everything that goes into fabric printing, even if I'm unlikely to try it myself. I love the idea of creating fabrics that people can use to recreate your projects as well, that's something I've thought a lot about too (though with patterns rather than custom fabric). Can't wait to see how the final carnation fabrics turn out!

[@dandaestrelada]

THIS VIDEO IS PURE GOLD 💛💛💛💫✨✨⭐🌟✨✨

[@LeoFieTv]

Shoutout to everyone who just randomly hyper-focuses on a particular dress of a particular character in a 2D game and randomly decides to learn GIMP in an evening to get that geometric cube pattern right and then remembers that Mariah had a video about costum fabric printing and Spoonflower has a facility in Germany, it really is meant to be. Just me? Can't be just me! Anyway, thanks Mariah, that was very informative. Imma go make a Laura Vanderboom from Rusty Lake cosplay thingy now.

[@paulaneary7877]

Your fabric designs are just gorgeous! Thank you for this most informative and helpful video. I am just getting started in this and this helped a lot!

[@AndersWatches]

Birb! Also for UK people, Contrado are a good option for printing your own fabric, they have a massive array of fabrics to print on.

[@nanettebromley8843]

Thank you will go and check them out.

[@allikatdreaming]

Really enjoyed this video. You thoroughly explain each topic in a clear and easy to understand way. I sincerely appreciate the information you shared, more so because I’ve been considering fabric print designing for a while now. Plus, I’m a SpoonFlower customer and have seen their info on becoming a fabric designer. The compare/contrast with MFD and your experience with other since valuable insights. Love the dress you are wearing.

[@Handmadehere]

Now I'm finally confident with sewing, and I've started spending a bit more money on fabric, more projects with custom printing would be great!

[@robingrawunder4465]

Excellent information! I've been buying from Spoonflower for years and am thrilled to hear about alternatives. Thanks for the video :)

[@IonIsFalling7217]

Went and looked for the dress you’re wearing and *please* update it so I can buy it! Please! It’s so beautiful!

[@hsama]

Pretty cool this breakdown. Also what a beautiful dress. I'm regular buyer from spoon flower too! I never had an issue. I'm going to give it a try on the others.

[@janeteholmes]

Now I want to design my own dress print like the one you’re wearing. But I’m not an artist and have never done anything like this. Aaarrghghghg, You Tube has more hobbies than anyone can ever hope to do!

[@ReinaElizondo]

Haha I second this hobbies comment! Not enough time and hands.

[@1984mrconrad]

Great idea. However, would you be OK with partnering with a repeat pattern designer to be supplying you with the designs which you can then proceed to print? I'll be glad to know your opinion on this.

[@grammykcutter6374]

Very informative. I learned a lot. I have purchased a few things from Spoonflower. The fabric I received was very stiff with the dye. However after washing it was fine. The colors were a bit muddy but acceptable . Best of luck in you endeavors.

[@mirrorverses]

I just really want to know more about the dress ur wearing omg.

[@JRBENES]

AMAZING !! You did a fantastic job explaining the whole process. Thank YOU!!

[@ThePanickedGamer]

What a wealth of information. Thank you. Also love your cadence and humor! :)

[@dillspitzen]

I bought some cotton jersey samples from Spoonflower Germany a couple of years ago. I wasn‘t enthusiastic about the print quality when it arrived.. then I threw it in the wash as directed by spoonflower (cold water, add vinegar).. and hooly sh*t did it look bad after washing.. Like I had washed it at least 30 times. Contacted customer service who told me that I washed it wrong (nope, I didn‘t), that my expectations were too high (it‘s expensive custom printed fabric, I expect it to at least match average fabric quality)... and then they told me this was a problem with digital printing so maybe digital printing isn‘t for me.. 🙃 Like.. I have sewn with lots of digitally printed cotton and rayon jerseys.. I *know* what they can look and feel like if done properly... Needless to say, I didn‘t place the 15m order after that.

[@MariahPattie]

thanks for this input. I've found MFD's general print quality to be better than Spoonflower's, but I haven't specifically compared the cotton jersey. It might be a useful video if I ordered a second set of samples from each company and did a wash test to compare each.

[@dillspitzen]

@@MariahPattie What would also be interesting to know is if there‘s a difference in print and fabric quality between the US and German print shops. Most complaints about bad print quality I‘ve seen so far were from Europe based customers. 🤔

[@paulinemorare5509]

Like the way you think. I feel blessed to receive such information before I commit to sell my designs.

[@jenni-hopekelland4565]

What are you holding??? I loved this video SO MUCH! Also very excited about your life changes!

[@sarahbrooklynstudios7187]

Thanks for answering my question! You’re my favorite KZbinr. Love your sewing, capsule wardrobe, and world building content.

[@elwoodsterful]

SUCH a useful breakdown, thank you! Saving for reference :))

[@raraavis7782]

That was very interesting. I had no idea, something like this was even an option for regular people. Thanks, for making such a comprehensive video about the topic. I'm not sure, if it maybe wouldn't attract more views, if it was titled: 'Custom printed fabric - how to design and where to order it' or something. I'd think, that this should be hugely interesting to people in the historic/vintage sewing community. Imagine, being able to make an exact replica of your favorite museum piece or something.

[@MariahPattie]

You know... you're right about the title. I think there's a fine line between quality intrigue and clickbait.

[@DGraham-i3y]

This is the most beautiful dress that ever existed.

[@lncir]

You are very well spoken and explain things well!

[@lynn858]

Thanks for the geeky nuance! I knew you would be the person to ask! - Avida

[@SuperMrsMar]

Yeah, cricut has some flaws. Their infusable ink works best on synthetic fabric and looks very poor on cotton. It works amazing for fabric applique because I can get the machine to fussy cut the fabric and draw on the stitch lines if desired. As long as your pattern piece is less than 12x24, you can get your cricut to cut and draw stitch lines for you. It does have some potential if you can figure out the work arounds. Unfortunately, there are no svg patterns for sale for historical use.

[@jasminedoyle1724]

That dress you’re wearing is amazing!

[@Anopano3000]

I can definitely see myself wearing a regency working class day dress in the navy-backed carnations! just have to save up for it ;)

[@alexochman6503]

This is a fantastic breakdown! Im looking into creating a ecommerce brand for golf head covers and this was a great introduction into the custom print game. Thank you!

[@YanickaQuilt]

Great video. I am looking at replicating some vintage dresses and I'll have to make and print the fabrics. So this is especially useful.

[@ragnkja]

I would never trust that colours are the same on screen, because that also depends on the settings on your screen. My father does photography, and has equipment to calibrate his computer screen so that the colours look as close as possible to the same on the screen as they will when printed.

[@Ashley_tipsyshades]

I was so so close to buying one of your teal chintz options for a banyan, but then I remembered that as much as I want it, I really can't invest right now. In the meantime, I bought some wood blocks to attempt my own fabric painting at the very least

[@staceyroberts2067]

I’m very interested in how you designed the pieces of the dress you’re wearing onto fabric, any chance you could make a video demonstrating how this is done? ❤

[@soulokoh]

looking to get into tapestries, headwraps, etc. with my custom designs I've been working on. This video definitely helped me out as I wasn't sure where to begin. I took notes during this video! :P Thank you for your help. I Liked and Commented for the sake of engagement lol Appreciate the energy you put into this video. Wishing you happiness and prosperity!

[@marthabenner6528]

I'm actually kind of excited, I didn't know you could get your own custom printed fabric, I've been wanting to print my own art for years. Ps. I'd be in the category that you described as "real art", I'm rubbish at computer anyting.

[@CuteSeamus]

where do you buy custom dyed fabric... obviously you need a sample... but who would you recommend for that... i want to buy custom dyed velvet for a huge ball gown and matching suit for a couples outfit...

[@saymyname2417]

THAT DRESS 😍 !

[@saymyname2417]

@@MariahPattie - Thanks for the answer, Mariah! You were so quick that I had altered my comment already. I just came past the point were you say it's printed 😅... I would totally like to see a making of this. And Greek culture sure provides A LOT of beautiful patterns, designs and inspiration!

[@MariahPattie]

@@saymyname2417 oops, didn't see your reply. I already deleted my answer and made a pinned comment. I sense a lot of questions on it incoming 😬

[@saymyname2417]

@@MariahPattie - Yes, this dress is awesome and people sure will want to know more about it! Good idea you made a pinned comment 👍🏼 ! Also, that little bird on your shoulder is too cute. I wish you a lot of success for your business and private life!

[@ColleenTempleart]

I would love to digitize and sell traditional watercolour paintings as prints. Guess it’s something to look into but wouldn’t be as crisp and scalable as vector based images.

[@cristianavadean2349]

Well this was very informative! :) Thank you for making this video.

[@melissaayres6347]

Thank you! I appreciate you teaching inspiring individuals like myself ❤

[@petergadd7797]

Thank you so much for your insight. Love that dress as a designer is echos swiss. The Etsy and business side is fascinating I am focussed on design but it all important... I hadn't considered your focul point. Thanks again...

[@petergadd7797]

Wow you really do expose a side I have not seen about your journey... so many thanks. I hadn't even considered these elements.

[@petergadd7797]

I see now. These campanies are small. MFD and Spoonflower ! you need to reach out to the world, still it's been an area I am unexposed to. Wonderful detail in your experience especially ... Black. look at other countries. Wonderful thank you for the insight.

[@petergadd7797]

Again...I thought I was finished. Start your own company addressing every part , you are more than capable.Your smart and driven.

[@petergadd7797]

Just wateched your Q & A deffinately you should have no fear of progressing in Business!! my god the knowledge and confidence. Rarely seen.

[@CrearyCoser]

Great info, I would love to know how did you create the design for the dress you are wearing. I already know how to create repeating patterns. Thanks!

[@belleveHER]

This was so helpful! Thank you! You sure do know your stuff

[@alethearia]

Cannot emphasize enough - if you are uploading a pattern that is designed to be printed upon a fabric, use a PNG. PNG is one of only a handful of export files that actually allows for transparency. You're just going to get a cleaner print if there's no "this is white space" data hanging around. It also means you run less of a risk of any whites you use in the pattern accidentally being mistaken for transparent.

[@alethearia]

Also, before you start working on any art that you want printed, use the CMYK setting, not the RGB. And if you're working on a monitor, make sure the monitor is set to neutral and that the brightness is way down. I know it sounds silly, but printers will absolutely print darker than what you have on screen, and that darkness may make the printing wonky.

[@chikkenhawke]

thank you, this is such a helpful video! i'm recreating one of the dresses from the 15th century Lady and the Unicorn tapestries and no one seems to do an equivalent lining fabric for her gown. until now... >:) (also the chick is adorable HELLO

[@coreygilles847]

So interesting! Thank you for sharing your experience and expertise on this subject...also... thank you for creating beautiful fabric I can buy...

[@dexaria]

Thanks for answering my question!

[@jennymk01]

The Spoonflower fabric I ordered was completely garbage, why does everyone else seem to love them? Their cotton and cotton poplin is see-through, itchy and stiff. They also hold on to every pin hole so bad... I would never make anything out of it again. 😓 I am happy you listed some other places, I really want to try someone else. There is one fabric I want desperately, but no one seems to know the name...

[@farahislam9747]

Thank you so much. You covered everything...I was just searching, gathering...but your this one video help me out. Love you ❤

[@lugaruna]

I realy like that you made this video:D. Recently i started making plushies to relax and keep my adhd hands busy. I also have an interesting fabric that i want to use for a corset but i can't find it anywhere anymore so hopefully i can get that fabric trough one of them:). Also im realy happy to have found another interesting sewing youtube:3.

[@mcomeslast]

I love this. I want to learn to digitize for embroidery as well and had no idea where to start. I don’t have any programs and Sewstine said she was planning some beginner projects. I am interested in buying printed fabric, and yes, vector looks like what I want. So much to learn. I’m going to have to start with deciding which program to learn first.

[@MariahPattie]

I'd love to get into digitizing, but $$$. And for right now, I feel like printed fabric will be more fun to explore because it's so much more accessible to people.

[@mcomeslast]

@@MariahPattie I get that. And I think vector looked a lot more interesting!

[@maryhardcastle5362]

A niche, I ' m going to borrow that word ,also yer papering the selection about skirt I, have less space not more I moved , so I have several plans .the events are different where I 've moved . Thanks for your chalkboard style.

[@davidgordon7457]

I appreciate the detail in this video..but the one thing I kept waiting for was some sort of price range other than “it’s expensive”’ I would have liked to see a range of prints you have made and your cost per yard

[@idrisa7909]

Very well timed video lol as I'm starting to design fabric for the stuff I work on and have been grabbing at stuff about surface design

[@malaks9034]

Have you ever attempted printing on sheer fabric? I am currently involved in a project that requires printing opaque patterns, which should block light and affect the fabric's porosity, onto a sheer fabric that allows light to pass through. However, according to my research, digital printing typically utilizes ink rather than thick paint.

[@melindawolfUS]

thanks for mentioning the spoonflower limitation on scale! That's always bothered me and it's what I get the most requests/messages about. Would be easier if the customers could make basic changes, even color shifts if they want, would be soooo nice.

[@selenka26]

this was really informative! Ive never really thought about custom printing fabric even designing it, so thank you!

[@tradesmith_yt]

I make hard and soft goods for the golf industry, I’m excited to check out some canvas from mdf.

[@halyeponi9391]

Your videos always inspire me to create.

[@misschampagneblonde]

This dress is gorgeous. Have you managed to find time to redesign the cut of this dress and are offering different sizes anywhere? Really enjoying going back and watching your older content

[@evecates2232]

Sporting that midsommar dress!! Yass girl.

[@TheMediaHoundPR]

Love your honesty!

[@noyk.official]

To resolve that 1px error you can make the design slightly bigger than the canvas and you will not have a problem next time when exporting

[@snarkyflower4435]

I missed the call for Qs .... but what about printing plaids? I've had some bad experiences with Joann plaids that are, um, not on grain to say the least. Is this a pipe dream or worth the extra $$($$$$) for custom weaving to have a proper grain line?

[@MariahPattie]

It varies, but it's not awesome. vertical striped down the length of the fabric do okay, but the horizontal stripes tend to curve, same as printed plaids at Joann's. It comes from how they load the bolt of fabric onto the printer. if the grain's not perfectly straight at the start, when it's washed and steamed later it pops back into natural position, curving the print.

[@snarkyflower4435]

@@MariahPattie Thank you for answering! Wishing on lottery money/long term goal for custom weaving it is :-)

[@janeteholmes]

Where can I buy the fabric your dress is made from? I love it!

[@MariahPattie]

I marked it public on the new Spoonflower shop, but it is not available in multiple sizes. I don't love the fit of it, and it's on my list of projects to redo. If that happens, I will properly adjust the design to multiple sizes.

[@rachelhunting]

@@MariahPattie when you do this please let us know as I've been staring at it this whole video thinking I want that where do I get it lol

[@honestaf6165]

@@MariahPattie Are you a size US 4/6 dear?

[@MariahPattie]

@Honest AF 34" bust 27" waist

[@honestaf6165]

@@MariahPattie Me too, but I am 5'8" and I just found out that you are on the petite side so it would not work. 😭😅

[@Devanrealness]

Awesome breakdown! I needed this ❤

[@ReinaElizondo]

This was super interesting thanks!

[@HayleySWhitfield]

Hey @MariahPattie! Love this video, super helpful thank you for sharing! Do you have any insight into taking art (painting, drawing etc.) and scanning it for digital fabric printing? What is the best way to achieve a high-quality scan? Studio photograph or specialty scanner? Any ideas on this? Thank you!

[@eve13acatty]

Interesting and informative video! I'm making a cosplay for which I need a very specifically patterned fabric for the top, sleeves and stockings/boot covers. I really want to try using this custom fabric method but I don't think I have the budget for it 😩

[@pottery59]

I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY with your opinion of Etsy and they way they handle *finances.*

[@samanthaklassen6083]

Hello genuine human, and thank you ❤

[@MeldaRavaniel]

Thanks so much for this useful info! Could i request a little blurb in your fabric shops added to let us know which fabrics you've printed on/recommend? I can get it from the video, of course, but i think that'd be useful to buyers, too. That's usually what has stopped me before buying from SPF before (didn't consider samples, though, derp)

[@MariahPattie]

I don't know of a super practical way to do that within the shop, but in future projects and videos, I want to focus each on the particular fabric I use, and talk about the pros/con/utility of each fabric in turn.

[@lisapeterson8268]

Super video! So helpful!

[@mariad3743]

Thanks for the information Mariah. Could you or your readers suggest an outdoor printing company that specializes in Quality outdoor fabric?

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[@lindacooke5076]

Trading on your own is very risky, I've lost alot trading for my self

[@admin...78]

Trading successfully is just trading with the right strategy.ever since I have start using his daily signal I have been making massive profits

[@lucasandrew18388]

You nailed it !!.. I've so much in the past trying to trade on my own. I'm glad I took a positive turn last year when I got in touch with Me Douglas through a college's recommendation. I've recover all I've lost

[@cryptomason7331]

He deserves more accolades, just the same way I was going through comment and I saw this. I gave a try and bet something I never regretted

[@taratucker6217]

Have you ever printed a print in 2 different fabrics to use in one garment? One of my favorite dresses is a linen floral that has cotton jersey knit panels in the side to give the whole dress some give. I would love to copy that idea in different prints, but worry that the knit would look very different from the linen once it is printed.

[@carolburnett8372]

You really impress me......wow, God showed you His plan for you........You really know your stuff.....🐳🤗

[@melissawheeler7]

This video is great!

[@sassy_2437]

Any recommendations for personalized vinyls for bag making?

[@cherrybearylemondrop]

Hello, you are my people. So nice to join your community ❤