Today, Spoonflower team member Jenny drops by the blog to show you how to make the fanny pack of your dreams! Have you been feeling nostalgic about the 90s? Have you noticed that the once white-hot trend has returned? If so, you probably want your own fanny pack right about now. I know I do. This time around, let’s leave the bright white tennis shoes at home.
faux suede
Create a Custom Pillow Using MS Paint!
Learn how to create a custom pillow using MS Paint from Spoonflower team member Eloisa!
You don't need a fancy design program to create basic fabric designs! Although some programs are better, easier and more appropriate than others, MS Paint is an easy program to start off using and to get your feet wet in the surface design life!
MS Paint is a simple program that is included as part of your Windows based computer. Like any program, it has different versions depending on the Windows version your computer carries. For this tutorial, I am using the latest version of MS Paint for Windows 8. The biggest challenge when working with this program is that it's pretty basic– therefore some features are not available or need some sort of work around.
Tools available:
MS Paint has a few great tools you can use, such as the paint bucket, colors, shapes and brushes. You can also reposition and resize your design elements by using the selection tool and dragging them towards the desired area. Here is an explanation of all the tools.
About sizing your image:
In Spoonflower, you will need to create an image with a minimum of 150 pixels per inch. MS Paint has a set resolution of 96 pixels per inch. Unfortunately, even opening a high resolution image in Paint and saving it with this program will default to 96 pixels, but you can check out Spoonflower's resources regarding sizing here.
For this tutorial, I will create an image the size of a Faux Suede fat quarter, so I will start off by opening a new image sized 4050 pixels wide by 2700 pixels high.
STEP 1: Open MS Paint, and click on File – Properties
STEP 2: A screen will pop up, enter the desired pixels there. In this tutorial, we are using 4050 x 2700.
Now it's time to create! For this tutorial I will be using the following tools:
- Fill with color
- Watercolor Brush
- Shapes
- Outlines / Fill / Size
- Colors
STEP 4: Make sure you are paying attention to the two color blocks on the top menu, select COLOR1 and a window will appear with color options. Choose the color you would like for your background. For this tutorial, I use a pretty turquoise. Make your selection and click the OK button.
STEP 5: Click on the white background with the paint BUCKET TOOL that will appear automatically, this will change your background.
STEP 5: Add your design elements!
- For this pillow, I wanted to make stripes on the background, so I used the RECTANGLE SHAPE, and then ensured that we had the desired colors selected for the OUTLINE and the FILL. An important note on this: the box COLOR1 will apply to your OUTLINE and the box COLOR2 will apply to your FILL. Repeat this step until you get the look you want, you can make polka dots, stripes and any shape available on the program. You can also choose to only use one of the two {outline or fill, you do not have to use both}.
- I then added a white circle using the CIRCLE SHAPE tool and following the same guidelines as above.
- Next I added a message inside the circle using the TYPING TOOL.
- I created some arrows using the LINE SHAPE TOOL and the WATERCOLOR BRUSH TOOL.
STEP 6: Save your file! Note: you can save your file as a JPEG or PNG.
Once you've placed your fabric order and stitched up your pillows, you'll have lovely custom cushions to enjoy!
Dino Map Headboard Project + Upholstery Tutorial
See how fabric designer, artist, and mama extraordinaire Samarra Khaja (SammyK on Spoonflower) created this dino map headboard for her son out of our new Faux Suede fabric* and learn how to make a DIY headboard of your own!
SAMARRA: My eldest heads to 1st grade this fall. Call me all sentimental and whatnot, but I wanted to celebrate this first person to ever call me “Mama” by giving him something decorative that would also feed that cerebral sponge that is his thirsty brain. Fun and functional in one fell swoop. I decided upon a new headboard. It’s the perfect way to revamp the look and feel of a bedroom without sending one’s wallet off to weep quietly in the closet.
But this is not just any headboard, it’s a Dino Mapasaurus, my illustrated rendition of some of the places around the world that dinosaurs have been discovered (thus far <–wink, wink, lazy paleontologists of the world, let’s get crackin’!). My kids are pretty much dinosaur-obsessed, so this was the winning route to take.
[Read more…] about Dino Map Headboard Project + Upholstery Tutorial
Win a Custom Yours, Olive Tote!
Searching for the perfect tote to carry all summer into fall? Cindy, the maker behind Yours, Olive, used our Faux Suede to create the perfect market tote! This fully lined bag is super sturdy and contains lots of inside pockets for all your bits and bobs. Use it for your sewing projects, as a chic gym bag or as your everyday carryall!
Enter by Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 for a chance to win. The winner will be announced on the blog on Wednesday, July 23rd.
Free Swatch Day Coming on June 5th! Try Faux Suede
Get A Free Swatch Of the Perfect Upholstery Fabric
- 24 Hours Only
- Noon EST Thursday, June 5 through noon EST Friday, June 6
Between noon EST on Thursday, June 5th, and noon EST on Friday, June 6th, get a free, custom-printed swatch of our new Faux Suede fabric, along with free shipping.
For 24 hours, we will offer one and all the chance to get a free 8 in. x 8 in. test swatch of Faux Suede printed using any design available in the Spoonflower marketplace, or using your own design. Be sure to check back on Thursday to take advantage of this 24-hour offer! Open to US and to non-US customers. Shipping will also be free. Woot!