Meet the Maker Cinne Worthington

It’s safe to say that maker Cinne Worthington may have single-handedly renewed our interest in decorative scarves. Located in San Francisco, she spends her days in her in-home design studio on the old industrial waterfront of a vibrant historical neighborhood called Dogpatch. You’ll find her splitting time between her graphic design business and her Etsy shop, C.Banning Accessories, where she sells uniquely designed scarves. Get to know Cinne and see her beautiful work below.

Cinne's dog Dries and grand-nephew Benjamin in San Francisco
Cinne’s dog Dries and grand-nephew Benjamin know all the prime spots in Dogpatch.

My day starts with: “a wake-up nudge from my dog’s snout, a bright sunrise over the bay and a little stretch/core workout topped off with a strong espresso. After breakfast I slip into my studio and get to work. My schedule is pretty unpredictable but I can usually get my graphic design work done by lunch so I have the rest of the day to focus on my own things. I fill the gaps with social media promos and admin for my Etsy shop and occasionally act as a curator for the maker’s blog, Found Made Modern.”

Cinne walking in her studio
“I can’t move too fast in my little space without bumping into something, but I love that everything is within reach. The black lines on my table are cut guides for my various scarf designs.”
Silk scarf with painted faces and dishcloths
“Two favorite products that I make with Spoonflower fabrics: ‘Sketchy Friends’ painted faces print on a skinny scarf (Silk Crepe de Chine) and dishcloths (Linen Cotton Canvas).”

I fell in love with making goods (back) when: “I was a kid. I grew up in a family where creativity was the norm. Doing anything that did not involve using one’s artistic ability to make something was just not an option. I have two sisters and a brother who are also professional creatives, who I often have the pleasure of collaborating with.

Having dreamt of working for Marimekko, I majored in textile design. Part way through my studies, I fell in love with typography and conceptual design and switched to a graphic design emphasis. This eventually led me to a career in graphic design, a field that allows me to collaborate with entrepreneurs and explore a variety of disciplines. I have since seriously dabbled in a variety of creative sidelines including photo styling, stage design, painting, accessories design and a recent return to my early dream of designing textiles.”

Evening blooms skinny scarf
“Most of my botanical prints are adapted from originals I painted or sketched in my mother’s garden.”

When I’m in my studio: “I feel like I’m working in a life-size Pinterest board buzzing with color, graphics, and art. My work space has always been a more-is-more environment and my central source of inspiration! I keep it very organized in order to accommodate the variety of concurrent projects and hoardings.”

C. Banning's collection of Spoonflower fabric and finished scarves.
“On the left, a partial collection of Spoonflower yardage that is waiting for the next project and my inspirational wall with a rack chock full of completed skinny scarves.”
Purple rose leopard skinny scarf
“All of my skinny scarves consist of two prints which I seam together. My current obsession is a camo-leopard print shown above which I’ve mixed with a rose spindle.”

Who or what influences or inspires your work and why? “Color fuels all! I believe my childhood in Hawaii and adult life in California surrounded by rich nature and bold colors has had a profound impact on how I approach any visual project, especially now with my textile design. I also love wandering around my mother’s garden, urban streets and markets (flea and farmers) locally and abroad. I am inspired by artists such as Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin, David Hockney, Maira Kalman, designers such as Marni, Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten, Mina Perron, and textile designs from Marimekko, Orla Kiely, Josef Frank.

Day to day in-studio stimulus comes from rummaging through my fabric or ‘special finds’ drawers, as well as on the web or flipping through interior design magazines.”

Found and kept treasures and stuff (vital creative reference materials) kept in drawers.
“Found and kept treasures and stuff (vital creative reference materials) kept in drawers.”

What’s in your toolbox as a creative maker? “Designing tools: depending on my mood, I might start a project by jotting down ideas, sketching, or collaging random colors and images until a fresh idea clicks. I think it’s important to stay away from the influences of computer at the start of a project. I have three tables in my studio, one main surface for creating and cutting fabric, one for sewing, and one for my desktop computer. Scarf sewing tools: an assortment of scissors (I rarely roll-cut) in all shapes and sizes, a soft bristled Faber-Castell dusting brush (works great for smoothing out lightweight fabrics), scotch tape, 12” long knitting needle (for turning skinnies right-side-out), pattern weights and a pair of technical pointed tweezers.”

Wardrobe garment bags and handmade fabric pouches for shipping
“Wardrobe bags (Linen Cotton Canvas) and product packaging (Basic Cotton Ultra) all used for my scarf line.”

My proudest accomplishment over the last year: “is the serious move I’ve made towards creating my own surface patterns for my textile products. I still have a long way to go but it is so much fun, and so rewarding to sell an item where I’ve been a part of the entire creative process.”

Madalynne modeling her Sport Lycra handmade swimsuit featuring Cinne's woodcut rose design
“Collaboration with Madalynne. Woodcut rose print in black and grey (Sport Lycra®) used for Maddie’s swimsuit sewing workshop. Maddie modeling her design and my dog Dries just being himself.”

What piece of your wardrobe best represents your style? “I’d have to say it’s my brightly printed wrap skirts which I layer over pants…usually this is how I add interest to my otherwise almost all black wardrobe.”

Cinne's niece Avery and Cinne's nephew's girlfriend Caitlin modeling Cinne's scarves
“Two favorite style muses who keep me current. On the left—my niece Avery who is currently studying art in Portland, Oregon. To the right—my nephew’s girlfriend Caitlin who is a marketing manager here in San Francisco for Hired. I love how they wear my scarves as bold jewelry pieces.”
White blouse with black scarf
“Lately I’ve been experimenting more with scale. I think seeing only part of a repeat on a small surface can give more of artful look.”

Before starting a small business, I wish someone had told me: “‘Don’t hesitate/hold back when it comes to introducing new ideas, but to be prepared to work harder to sell them.’ My motto is…always strive for freshness. Don’t overthink it. Say yes then figure it out later! Not all your questions will be answered at the start.”

Pattern play cotton bandana on model
Pattern play cotton bandana modeled by Nicola Hind, Bateau Hair Salon

What has been an important resource to you as a small business owner? “I can’t even imagine what path my career would have taken had it not been for Apple and Adobe. I use Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver every day. I am so proud that I took the initiative and time to advance my skills to carry me into the digital age. I’m so grateful for all the online learning sources available today. Skillshare being one of my favorites where I’ve learned how to create repeat surface and sewing patterns.”

My favorite Spoonflower textile to work with is Poly Crepe de Chine because of its soft feel, its weight (which is perfect for my skinny scarves), and the color quality.”



Cinne Worthington prints + patterns
Thanks for joining us for our latest maker feature. We hope you too will “always strive for freshness” in your life and work: words to inspire us all!