The same pattern can look very different based on the surface it is printed on. The floral design featured on different fabrics here was designed by Jiah Harrison of Australia.
IT STARTS WITH THE SURFACE
Spoonflower originally printed on only one surface: literally, one kind of fabric, quilting-weight cotton. Now we print on a wide range of fabrics in varying widths, weights, and textures. Want eco-friendly canvas for cushions? Check. How about stretchy knit for yoga wear? Got you covered. And of course, we still offer versatile quilting-weight cotton as well as several organic fabrics. We also offer gift wrap in two different finishes and two kinds of wallpaper, water-activated and peel-and-stick.
The skills you need to create your digital design don’t change based on the surface, but a good understanding of the characteristics of the different surfaces will help you to choose the best one to achieve the results you are seeking.
The same pattern can look very different based on the surface it is printed on. The floral design featured on different fabrics here was designed by Jiah Harrison of Australia.
Texture refers to how a surface looks and feels. It also helps determine how a design will look when it is printed. For example, if you are printing a photograph on fabric and you want it to print very crisply and clearly, you might choose a basic quilting-weight cotton. If you’d like a hazier look, you might go with heavy cotton twill or canvas. In the photos at right you can see one child’s portrait printed on a variety of fabrics. One look isn’t necessarily better than the other—it’s just important that you understand how texture will influence your result so you can choose according to your goals. To familiarize yourself with the different textures of the fabrics and papers we offer, you may want to get one of our swatch books (this page).
DRAPE & STRUCTURE
Some kinds of fabric are very soft and flowing, and some have more body or structure, which helps them hold a shape or keep a fold. We chose silk crepe de chine to give the Infinity Scarf on this page a soft, flowing drape. Conversely, for the Citrus Dish Towels on this page, we chose the stronger, stiffer linen-cotton canvas. See this page to learn more about choosing a fabric that is appropriate for the use you’ve got in mind.
RIGHT & WRONG SIDES
For all of the Spoonflower surfaces, the right side is the printed side. The wrong side is the unprinted side of the fabric or gift wrap and the adhesive side of the wallpaper. Although you can’t change what the wrong side looks like—varying shades of white depending on the surface—you should be aware of this characteristic. For example, when you’re sewing, the wrong side of the fabric could be visible in some projects, so plan accordingly.
FIGURE 1 Here’s an overview of basic fabric terminology. We print your designs along the crosswise grain.
Spoonflower’s fabrics and surfaces have a printable area that ranges from 24 to 58 inches (61 to 147 cm) wide; test swatches and fat quarters are smaller.
The width of the surface is important to consider when you’re developing a project; for example, we wanted our Doppelganger Dog Pillow on this page to be a fun, cuddly, economical project that we could print on a fat quarter of linen-cotton canvas that is 27 × 18 inches (68.6 × 46 cm). If that’s your goal for this cut-and-sew project too, then your dog design can’t be larger than the dimensions of the fat quarter. Of course, it’s fine if you want your pooch to be bigger than our Ruby, but then you will have to print on a full yard (.9 m) of fabric instead of a fat quarter. Knowing the width of your surface helps you scale your design correctly from the beginning.
SELVEDGE
The selvedges are the finished edges that run the length of the fabric yardage; we can’t print on them, so we don’t include them in the “printable area” we list for our fabrics. If you’re just starting to learn about fabric, these finished edges help you quickly identify the direction of the grain (see Figure 1), a quality that’s important when you design a print and also when you sew.
GRAIN
Grain refers to the direction of the fibers in the fabric or paper. For fabric, the lengthwise grain runs the length of the fabric and is parallel to the selvedge. The crosswise grain runs perpendicular to the selvedge. Spoonflower’s fabrics and papers are all printed aligned with the crosswise grain. This means that the repeat of your design will be printed from one selvedge to the other (see Figure 2). But you can also decide to rotate the design 90° before you upload it so it runs along the lengthwise grain (see Figure 3). It’s a design choice at heart and is totally up to you.
However, the direction that your design prints can affect your project, especially if your design has a specific orientation (a “directional” print). This is particularly important if you’re making clothing because the pattern pieces for a garment are usually laid out along the lengthwise grain, the most stable direction. Compare Figures 2 and 3 to see how directional prints look when placed differently along the fabric’s grain.
Fabric also has a bias grain, which runs diagonally. When you cut woven fabric on the bias, it has more stretch and drape than fabric you cut with the straight grain. That’s why garments cut on the bias are so wonderful: they drape very nicely and tend to hug your curves. If you are designing fabric for a project you want to cut on the bias, you will definitely need to think about how your design will work when it’s cut diagonally.
FIGURE 3 This is the same pattern used in Figure 2, but printed along the lengthwise grain.
We printed a few yards of Andrea Lauren’s constellation fabric to use as a cloth for an outdoor table. We just cut it to fit the table without even hemming. We chose Spoonflower’s Eco Canvas because it is heavy-duty and wipes clean easily. Making a tablecloth like this is an easy way to introduce a theme at any party, indoor or out.
How Are Fabrics and Papers Sold at Spoonflower?
You can buy a …
This book contains a small square (approximately 4 × 4 inches [10 × 10 cm]) of each of our fabrics plus wallpaper and gift wrap samples. Check it out in the photograph on this page.
FABRIC SWATCH
A swatch is 8 inches (20 cm) square. It’s always a good idea to order a swatch of fabric before you purchase several yards (meters) to make sure your design prints the way you envisioned and that the fabric itself has the qualities you want. Swatches are great for projects, too. What can you do with a square that small? You’d be amazed—see “A Square Isn’t Just a Square” on this page!
FAT QUARTER OF FABRIC
A fat quarter is half of the width and half of the length of a yard (36 inches [91 cm]) of fabric. Our fat quarters will vary slightly in size based on the width of the fabric. For example, for a yard of fabric that is 44 inches wide × 36 inches long (110 × 91 cm) wide, a fat quarter is 22 × 18 inches (56 × 46 cm).
YARD OF FABRIC
A yard is 36 inches (91 cm) in length. The widths vary from 42 to 58 inches (107 to 147 cm), depending on the fabric. Spoonflower will sell you as many whole yards as you want, but the only fractional yards we sell are swatches and fat quarters (Figure 4). If you need 2½ yards (2.3 m) for a project, you need to round up and buy 3 yards (2.7 m). Or, you might study the cutting layout to see if 2 yards (2 m), plus 2 fat quarters, will work. (And although we’ve provided metric conversions throughout this book for our international friends, note that we only sell our surfaces in U.S. customary units, meaning inches and yards.)
OTHER SURFACES
Here is how we sell our paper products (Figure 5).
+ For wallpaper, Spoonflower sells swatches (24 × 12 inches [61 cm × 30.5 cm]) and standard rolls (24 × 144 inches [61 cm by 366 cm]). Wallpaper is also sold in custom-length rolls.
+ For gift wrap, rolls are 26 × 72 inches (66 × 183 cm).
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE WITH THAT?
Think of choosing a surface as putting together a puzzle: First you have to consider how your design will look (remember, a design will look different on a textured surface versus a smooth one, for example), and then you have to think about whether the surface will work for the project you want to make (a canvas bag will have more structure than a poplin one, so if it’s structure you want, choose canvas).
We asked Emma Jeffery, one of the Spoonflower community’s most prolific sewers and crafters, to leverage her experience using Spoonflower’s myriad surfaces and share her best tips for choosing the right one for a project. While specific surfaces may come and go as we revise our inventory, we will always have some available in the categories shown below and Emma’s suggestions will still apply.
QUILTING-WEIGHT FABRICS
(such as basic cotton and Kona®)
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THESE FABRICS: They’re soft, durable, and breathable, and nearly any design looks good printed on them.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THESE FABRICS: Make almost anything! The possibilities for these versatile fabrics are almost limitless, including:
+ Quilts and appliqué
+ Children’s clothing
+ Casual shirts and dresses that don’t require stretch
+ Home accents
+ Purses, pouches, and bags
+ Toys
WOVEN CLOTHING-TYPE FABRICS
(including poplin or sateen)
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THESE FABRICS: They are easy to work with and machine-wash well. Their textures vary from slightly thicker and coarse (twill and poplin) to more luxe and shiny (sateen).
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THESE FABRICS:
+ Make fitted or tailored clothing from sateen and poplin. They are also good choices for decorating or apparel projects that need more structure.
+ Stitch a great blouse or dress from sateen.
LIGHTWEIGHT FABRICS
(like satin or faille)
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THESE FABRICS: They drape beautifully and are delicate to the touch, but are also fairly durable and easy to sew. If you’re using them to make clothing, you might want to consider lining the garment.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THESE FABRICS:
+ Make scarves, skirts, blouses, dresses, lingerie, and pajamas, since these fabrics are on the sheer side.
+ Try them for home decorating, soft furnishings, or quilts—they can bring a unique look and feel to these accessories.
(such as linen-cotton canvas or eco-canvas)
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THESE FABRICS: They are durable, hard-wearing fabrics that resist creases and wrinkles and wash well—and they only improve as they are used and washed repeatedly.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THESE FABRICS:
+ Sew them into table linens such as tea towels and tablecloths, because they are super-absorbent.
+ Redecorate your home. Because they have a heavier weight and provide more structure, they are well suited for upholstery projects and cushions.
+ Make heavyweight apparel such as coats and jackets; they’re also good choices for more structured bags and totes.
KNIT FABRICS
(including jersey, interlock, and performance knits)
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THESE FABRICS: They stretch! This makes them great for clothing because you don’t have to worry so much about the accuracy of the fit of your finished item; also, knits don’t fray (which means you don’t have to finish seams). A couple of tips to keep in mind: for synthetic knits, iron on a low heat setting; check your sewing machine’s manual for suggestions about simple adjustments to the settings for sewing with knits.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THESE FABRICS:
+ Make garments that need stretch, such as tees, dresses, shirts, blouses, athletic wear, undies, and baby clothes.
+ Try them for blankets, soft toys, and beanie hats, too.
WATER-ACTIVATED & PEEL-AND-STICK WALLPAPER
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THESE SURFACES: They are easy to mount and totally removable.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THESE SURFACES:
+ Create custom wall treatments.
+ Change the look of a room, piece of furniture, or object without having to commit to a more permanent solution.
+ Cut to size or shape with scissors, a craft knife, or a die-cutting machine.
GIFT WRAP
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THIS SURFACE: It opens up a million possibilities for paper crafting. It’s thick, high-quality paper, which can be used for all kinds of creative purposes, without the worry that it will easily rip or tear.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS SURFACE:
+ Wrap gifts (obviously)!
+ Make gift bags or cover books.
+ Use for decoupage projects.
+ Fold for origami.
+ Use in scrapbooking and collage.
Clockwise from top left: Envelope patterns by Leanne Hatch, button and switchplate patterns by Eleanor Ramsay, mousepad pattern by Isabelle Kunz, notebook pattern by Andrea Lauren.
A question we often get asked is: “What can I do with a swatch?” A swatch is a great way to test out your design and especially your colors. But that’s not all a swatch is good for! Here are some ideas from Diane Gilleland on how you can create with your fabric and paper swatches. Diane is one of our favorite guest bloggers at Spoonflower and one of the craftiest people we know.
FABRIC SWATCHES
8 × 8 inches (20 × 20 cm)
+ Cut an 8-inch (20 cm) circle and run a gathering stitch all the way around. Pull that stitch to make a little bag. Stuff it firmly, tie off the thread, and add a big button to cover the opening. Now you have a pincushion!
+ One swatch makes four coasters or one mouse pad—glue the fabric to the cork with Mod Podge or spray adhesive. If the fabric is a light color, you may want to apply some gesso to the cork before adding the fabric to avoid show-through (that’s what we did for the mouse pad at left).
+ A “mug rug” is a large coaster that holds your coffee cup and a cookie. And a fabric swatch is the perfect size for a mug rug: just add some batting and backing fabric.
+ Iron some fusible web to the back of a swatch and then cut out appliqués. Fuse and stitch the appliqués to bags, napkins, bibs, tea towels, etc.
+ Cut a swatch into several strips, sew them end to end, hem the raw edges, and you have a pretty hatband. Stitch them onto some cotton belting and add some D-rings for a sweet belt.
+ You can make six to eight covered buttons from a fabric swatch, depending on the size of the buttons. For the buttons in the photo at left we used a fabric design made up of a grid of patterns; the end result was a varied but cohesive set of buttons.
+ Use a swatch to make a cool pocket on a bag, skirt, or top.
+ Small canvases become instant wall art with a covering of fabric. That is what we did with the repeat patterns on this page.
WALLPAPER SWATCHES
24 × 12 inches (61 × 30.5 cm)
+ A single wallpaper swatch can cover up to eight double switch plates or twelve single ones. We used the same pattern for our buttons and our switch plates.
+ Cover a standard composition book with water-activated wallpaper by simply moistening the wallpaper and sticking it to the cover (as we did for the black-and-white notebook at left). You’ll have enough left over to cover a mini notebook, too. If the paper you are applying is a light color, you may want to apply some gesso to the notebook first to avoid show-through.
+ Make a simple bookmark by cutting a 2 × 6-inch (5 × 15 cm) strip of wallpaper and machine-sewing around all four sides with a decorative stitch. One swatch makes up to twenty-four bookmarks, so you can give lots away as gifts!
+ Fold wallpaper or gift wrap to make pretty envelopes in any size you like. Do an online search for envelope templates. We created two different envelope styles, as you can see in the photo at left.
+ Wrap a strip of wallpaper around a pillar candle or a glass votive holder for a decorative touch.
+ Glue wallpaper to some heavy chipboard. Cut along the design lines, punch a hole, and add some ribbon. Now you have some fancy gift tags or tree ornaments.
