Designed by Fi

Two years ago, I enrolled in a Certificate IV in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles at TAFE because I wanted to learn how to sew.

As it turned out, sewing was only part of the story.

Along the way I learned pattern making, garment construction and a little design. One of my favourite projects involved designing a simple garment in Adobe Illustrator and experimenting with colour. I could happily spend hours trying different combinations and seeing how small changes transformed a design.

Around that time, one of my teachers casually mentioned that people design patterns for fabric and sell them to fashion and textile companies.

It sounded interesting.

Then I moved on with my day.

In 2025, I started dipping my toe into the world of fabric design. I took a few short courses, printed some fabrics for myself and began experimenting. I designed the two fabrics below and they taught me an important lesson. I managed to create something I liked, but I had absolutely no idea how I had done it

And, I had no idea how to do it again.

That realisation sent me looking for answers.

What I discovered was that fabric design sits within the much larger world of surface pattern design. Suddenly I started noticing patterns everywhere. On cushions, tea towels, wallpaper, crockery, bedding, clothing and packaging. Every patterned surface had been designed by someone.

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

Later that year I completed Bonnie Christine’s Immersion course and spent months learning, experimenting and making patterns. Like many beginners, I found myself drawn towards the styles I was studying. There is a natural tendency to imitate while you’re learning.

The challenge was working out what was actually mine.

As is often the case, I overcomplicated things.

I spent hours fiddling with motifs, creating endless colour palettes and drawing new elements. I was doing plenty of things that felt productive and creative, I wasn’t making patterns.

Eventually I got fed up with my faffing.

Three weeks ago, I decided to try something different.

I set myself a challenge: create one pattern every day for 100 days.

Not one perfect pattern.

Not one commercially viable pattern.

Just one pattern.

Every day.

The goal was to stop overthinking and start building a body of work.

Twenty-two days in, the challenge has already taught me more than I expected.

I’m discovering that I love the interplay between structured design and expressive detail. Colour often leads the way, supported by texture, shape and rhythm. Rather than focusing on individual motifs, I’m becoming fascinated by how every element contributes to the overall story a pattern tells.

More importantly, I’m learning to trust the process.

Some days produce stronger work than others. Some ideas don’t translate from my head to the screen. Some patterns feel unresolved. But every day teaches me something.

I’m also beginning to see threads emerging through the work. Ideas that deserve another look. Themes that could become collections. Small hints of a style that feels increasingly like my own.

Most of all, I’m building confidence in my ability to simply turn up and do the work.

I suspect there will be plenty more false starts, experiments and lessons over the next 78 days. That’s part of the point.

This challenge is becoming the foundation of Designed by Fi.

And I’m looking forward to sharing the journey — the successes, the failures and everything in between.