NEW: I have painstakingly transferred all my newsletters to a blog space in the Pattern & Print Club! Now you can browse through old newsletters and catch up on bits that you might have missed and leave comments too!
I've given some thought to the reason for writing these posts about pattern and it boils down to a phrase that I heard Sarah Pedlow use in a podcast interview: "Honouring the Overlooked" (Authentic Obsessions, by Margret Petrie). She talks about her experiences in finding traditional embroiderers and creating textile tours to recognise the women makers. So many artisans and designers are overlooked for the work they do in enriching our daily life and making it so much more beautiful, fun and pleasurable. I'd like to make a point of recognising their work and naming them, where possible. If we're able to name the designer, artisan, craftsperson, maker or artist who created an item, we might end up buying more ethically too. I think it's a gradual shift that we can slowly begin to make.
In today's letter/blog I tell you about my IKEA designer-naming rabbit-hole and introduce you to 2 lovely pattern designers - one of whom works in the very accessible technique of stencil printing. (Something worth trying yourself!) There are my upcoming workshops and a favourite printing reel/video at the end.
Enjoy and please comment at the end if you've enjoyed the quick read.
Thank you!
Karené
IKEA's Textile Designers
While on thinking about naming pattern designers I found myself looking at a favourite old cushion that I have from IKEA. The design obviously comes from a lino print (the chatter around the beautiful organic fig motifs is the giveaway), but I have no idea who the designer is, so I asked you all on Insta and Hannah Sycamore kindly informed me that IKEA now include the name of the designer on their products! Have you seen this? What an incredible way to value original design! My cushion must be too old for this, but I quickly checked their website and if you look under product details for any fabric the designer is now listed. It's a very limited list, possibly a reflection of the dying art of sewing, but my favourite at the moment is probably FLUGBLOMSTER by Anna Salander who seems to have been designing for IKEA for quite a while...
I couldn't find my cushion's designer, but I went on a wonderful pattern and print journey that lead me to the rabbit hole of the online IKEA museum - WARNING : YOU WILL LOSE TIME HERE! Oh my word! Did you know they have an actual museum that you can visit in person? There is currently a pattern exhibition there - for anyone going to Sweden in the next weeks? Online there is a lot of info too. There's an amusing short video on how textiles grew between 1965 and 1984 (turn on the captions) and there is a textile gallery of many of their historic textile designs with designers named. I am curious to know, which designs you recognise and why - so please let me know in the comments below!
Cecelia Petterson
Cecelia Petterson is one of the IKEA designers in their pattern gallery! I have been following her beautiful drawing and methods of creating repeat designs on Instagram for a while now. I also love the fact that she often uses markers and Posca pens to create her initial designs. Her process is simple and direct, and so effective!
Website with courses and shop is here
Pauline Greuell
While we're on the topic of retro-designs, I've been meaning to introduce you to the wonderful Pauline Greuell for a while now. Pauline creates pattern by using her own stencils. She cuts out her own designs to make the stencils and then with soft brushes she brushes colour through the gaps in the stencils. With various shading techniques she creates the most beautiful soft tones and gradations that gives her designs beautiful depth, with a slightly retro feel. She sells items online that she has printed by hand and sewn herself.
It looks very time consuming and needs to be seen to be understood fully, so go to her instagram. I tried the technique and LOVE the effect you are able to create in this way. You must use the coarse bristle round brushes, hold them upright and keep the brushes fairly dry. It's not expensive to try, you hardly use any ink and is a lovely way to spend an afternoon - Give it a go! There's a short video here and she teaches courses too!
Upcoming Workshops
My next 2 block printing workshops in Edinburgh and Dunblane are already sold out!
NEW: From Friday 7 March I will be holding weekly Art Journaling Sessions, in my own space, where we will create a weekly visual journal entry in a fun, social environment. Learn techniques using paint, pens, ink, collage, doodles, stamps and gelli plate, lettering or your own photos. Regular creativity to collect ideas, experiences and thoughts.
Collect - Connect - Create
MARCH:
8 March 2025: A full day workshop on both Block printing and Lino pattern printing, Printing on Totes and Tea Towels
Central Scotland School of Craft, Dunblane. (SOLD OUT)
16 March 2025: Block Printing workshop - We'll be printing on thin cotton scarves, Old Barn Edinburgh. (SOLD OUT)
23 March 2025: Block Printing on tea towels or tote bags 2-5pm
at Creative Bloc, Glasgow
CREATIVE BLOC
Next available workshop is at the new cosy and friendly Arts space in Maryhill, Glasgow - Creative Bloc. I don't know if you've seen on instagram, but I've been experimenting with printing on clay and the wonderful people at Creative Bloc have been helping me! I asked if I could teach a workshop in their space and they've been really excited about it! I hope to see you there!
Sarah (at the Old Barn, Edinburgh) and I have been chatting about doing a little more to make full use of her lovely space. So we will now be offering 2 workshops on 1 day. The idea is that you have the option to choose a 3 hr morning block printing or 3hr afternoon lino pattern session OR you could do both, have a full day of pattern printing immersion and get a 10% discount! A lovely relaxing morning printing session to experiment further with my wooden Indian blocks, have lunch at the café next door and then come back for an intense lino session. Bring your friends! I promise you'll go home buzzing!
APRIL:
13 April 2025 (AM): PART 1: Morning Block Printing workshop,
10am - 1pm, Printing on Tea Towels, Old Barn Edinburgh.
13 April 2025 (PM): PART 2: Afternoon Lino Pattern Printing workshop,
2pm - 5pm Print your own motifs on tote bags,
Old Barn Edinburgh.
MAY:
31 May 2025 (AM): PART 1: Morning Block Printing workshop,
10am - 1pm, Printing on Tea Towels, Old Barn Edinburgh.
31 May 2025 (PM): PART 2: Afternoon Lino Pattern Printing workshop,
2pm - 5pm, Print your own motifs on tote bags,
Old Barn Edinburgh.
Finally a Fun Printing Video
Pacific Islands Art
LOOK AT THE MASSIVE PRINTING PLATES!!!
Pacific Islands Art started in Tahiti and now produce in Fiji. I love the fact that they explain their printing heritage and the fact that due to their traditional methods - every single item created is a once off, unique piece. They explain that their work "CANNOT identically be reproduced" and use that as a selling point. Put the music on for the full effect! Find out more here.
Wow what a great newsletter! So much information… the IKEA designers stuff is interesting, good to know the people behind the work. I would like to come back and explore the links slowly… thank you.
Hi Karené I hope you are well, fab newsletter as always thank you.
I love a bit of ikea and read a bit more about the designers recently as they have moved to precut material now. I still use their ditte white for lampshades but am also using linen now aswell.
I literally met with a potter last night as we are going to run a clay and block workshop together in July hoprfully x