How I Create my own Fabric Patterns

You know how we all got a pandemic hobby when COVID hit? Well mine was quilting and I actually got into quilting not because I like to sew or anything but because I love making patterns! It just so happens that I wanted to use my patterns and I thought, “Let’s make a quilt with them!”

Anyways, let me show you how easy it is to make patterns. You can do it in most drawing programs if they use layers or even on paper (though you’ll have to scan it in if you plan on using it). My program of choice is Procreate.

Check out this video below on how to create a repeating pattern in Procreate.

1. Set up your document to be square.

I tend to do 10 inch by 10 inch but it can be any size. I do inches because I plan to print mine but you can do pixels or whatever measurement….as long as it is square.

2. Make your drawing

Try not to get too close to the edges….we’ll be filling those in later. I like to keep my drawing as centered as possible but it doesn’t matter.

3. Duplicate your picture

yup that’s right, you should have two layers of the same exact picture.

4. Bottom becomes Top, Top becomes Bottom

Slide one layer about halfway up your artboard, then slide the second halfway down. Make sure they connect exactly in the middle. You may need to add a background layer to you picture to ensure you connect them correctly.

5. Draw some more

Add to your picture 🙂

6. Duplicate your picture

make sure you combine your layers from before! Then duplicate again.

7. Left becomes right, right becomes left

Slide one layer halfway left, and the other layer halfway right. They should touch in the middle just like you did before.

8. Draw some more

now your picture should really start to fill up.

9. Duplicate and top to bottom, bottom to top

Just like step 3 and 4. This is the last time!

10. Draw some more

fill in that last little spot!

11. now your picture can repeat!

I’ve gotten a few of my patterns printed out, and like I said, I mostly make quilts. But I have made a few dresses and shirts. You can even use your patterns as wallpaper! there are several companies that you can use – Spoonflower and Joanne Fabrics are well known and I’ve had good results with both.


Rachel Williams

Artist | Designer | Educator

Making mistakes and fixing them, so you don’t have to