How to Design Monkey Fabric

Designing fabric can be done on the computer or manually. Patterns on fabric are either continuing through the fabric or "in repeat," meaning the pattern is a block that repeats itself. It is best to design the pattern manually first to have a better understanding of how the process works before using a computer. Choosing a concept such as monkey fabric is the first step to designing. Monkey fabric can incorporate other design elements such as bananas, vines and trees.

Things You'll Need

• White drawing paper
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Scanner
• Design program such as Photoshop or Illustrator
• Colored pencils
• Pantone colors

Instructions

Designing Monkey Fabric

1. Decide how big you want the design to be. Consider the width of fabric you are printing. For example if your fabric is 42 inches wide you will want to pick a dimension for the width of your block that is divisible by 42, such as 7 inches wide. The length is not as important as the width, but make sure the length is not longer than the screen or roller that will be printing the fabric. Cut a piece of paper to size for your block.

2. Draw images you would like to include in your design. Draw at least two different monkeys so it is harder to find the repeat in the design. Also draw many elements that are appropriate for monkey fabric such as vines the monkeys are swinging from, bananas and trees.

3. Cut out the elements. You can use the cut-out elements to figure out placement for the design on your block. You do not need to color in the images, just line drawings. Color will be determined later.

4. Draw a background pattern on the block.

5. Cut the overlapping piece off and place it on the other side of the block if your element overlaps the block. If you make a copy of the block and place it next to the block, the cut images should be lined up to create a full image.

6. Repeat this process for the sides, top and bottom of the block.

7. Make at least four copies of your block. Place them on all four sides of your block. Make sure the pattern matches on all four sides. If it doesn't match make the proper adjustments so the pattern lines up.

8. Add color to your monkey design with colored pencils or scan it into the computer and color it in a design program such as Illustrator or Photoshop. Make note of the pantone numbers for the colors selected--you will need this information for the printer.

9. Send the pattern and pantone colors to the printer to have your fabric printed.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw more images than needed for your design so you have more choices when arranging the design. Contact the printer before the design is made to ensure your dimensions will work with its printing techniques.