Regency interiors – Interiors inspired by the Bridgertons

As spring buds blossom and the weather warms up, we’re celebrating new beginnings. After the restrictions of lockdown and chilly days, it’s time to look at rejuvenating our surroundings. The second season of Netflix’s popular TV series Bridgerton couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

This absorbing period drama offers the perfect inspiration for us to recreate luxurious surroundings to fall in love with. It begs us to design Regency interiors. Granted, those interiors are decorated with pastel hues. Those colours reflect those glorious days in the early 1800s, when life was leisurely and luxurious. 

Let’s take a look at English Regency interior décor and furniture as it’s portrayed in the new Bridgerton TV series. This was a romantic time. Indeed, in those days people went about leisurely pursuits. Balls, luncheons and garden parties reigned supreme and romance was almost tangible. 

5 tips to get the English Regency home style

Bring a touch of indulgence into your rooms with these Bridgerton-inspired décor design ideas. It's easy – just add interior décor and Regency furniture. That will make your rooms look a little like the interiors in those glorious Regency buildings.

Bridgerton house - netflix

Regency home decor - a window view to their interior

Naturally, you'll find the enigmatic Bridgerton characters extremely dynamic. They will take your breath away. Stop for a moment to absorb their surroundings. The stunning Regency architecture, Regency style house plans that are showpieces by masters like John Nash.

1. Stripes and their uses in the Regency interiors

Take special note of the Regency furniture style in the décor. A plush chaise longue, the gorgeous Wedgwood hues in the Bridgerton's Regency drawing room.

They used pastel colours throughout the room, including soft greens, pinks, yellows and peach plus delicate blue. These have all been specially created to reflect the personality of the inhabitants of each Regency house featured in the series.

As seen at the Bridgertons, upholstery is in the same shade of hues as the rest of the room. They used only two colours of similar shades to fit in with the rest of the colour scheme.

Elegant and classic, the use of stripes is the perfect addition in any room. Indeed, it is a classy Regency feel given to any furniture in the form of upholstery or alternatively used on wallpaper. The Regency era was a mix of fun and playfulness, inspired by the exotic.

Add a touch of whimsy

In addition, when you design your home, make sure to be a little playful. Combine classic furniture with fun, colourful patterns or stick to the 1 or 2 hues that represent your personality and space.

Just like in Jane Austen's iconic novels, you will notice lots of brass inlays, gilded mirrors, mahogany and ebony furniture with elaborate carvings. There will also be lots of sabre leg chairs and decorative picture frames.

Stripes on sofa - Bridgerton
Stripes uphostery - Bridgerton

These pieces are all symbolic of the Regency interiors favoured by King George IV. He lived in the spectacular Royal Pavilion in Brighton which is featured in the latest Netflix series.

Now explore some beautiful stripe designs by independent designers, from classic single colour designs to colourful ones.

Seaside Stripes
By Speare_Creations
Seaside Stripes
By Speare_Creations

Now, for those who want to add more colour, use a stronger statement piece of furniture using bolder designs. Striped wallpapers come in many thicknesses and colours.

Another thing: interior design styles can be used in combination. You can have a Regency style home without the heavy feel of over ornamentation. You can use small highlights throughout the space and make it click. In fact, Regency style opens many doors and gives ideas of how fabrics and patterns are used. Remember to keep a bright white ceiling in every room to allow the space to feel lighter and brighter.

2.  Elegant wall design in Regency style

Explore the enchanting Regency interior wall design styles in the lavish settings featured on the screen as the series unfolds.

Regency ineriors floral wallpaper Bridgerton

Regency wallpaper can do wonders, as shown in this iconic TV series. Take a stylish wall featured in Bridgerton and make it your own

Perhaps make one wall into a feature using a gilded effect or gorgeous Regency-inspired pattern or print. Floral and nature designs were very popular and bring a sense of natural beauty within the space.

A Damask design is used within wallpaper panels in the Bridgerton estate. This was very popular within Regency interiors and is a returning trend. Take a look at the designs we've chosen below to give you an idea.

Niagra Blue Damask
By Adeledecor - wallpaper
Niagra Blue Damask
By Adeledecor
Folk Damask in Soft Teal
By diane-rooney - wallpaper
Folk Damask in Soft Teal
By diane-rooney

How to add a touch of romance

Walls are an excellent example of how you can create this romantic trend of the era. Choose vibrant colours. Or try using a simple Regency stripe design in a soft lilac or rosebud hue instead.

Blue Wildflower Stripe
By jhugginsdesign - wallpaper
Blue Wildflower Stripe
By jhugginsdesign
ssical royal blue
By irisblossompatterns -wallpaper
striped classical royal blue
By irisblossompatterns

Choose a wallpaper to recreate a modern Regency home décor style, or arrange pictures in a certain way on the wall. You can also make a desk look more interesting by adding interesting accessories with a touch of Regency class.

3.   Decadent tables

In Bridgerton’s sumptuous dining room table settings, remember: attention to detail is important. You'll notice this at tea time, for instance. They sometimes make this an elegant garden affair! Use subtle touches in tableware, table runners and beautiful tables to tell your style story.

You can recreate this look at summer lunches, picnics and dinners. Tables full of plates brimming with delicious food, placemats and napkins offset with old world crockery and cutlery. You’ll find a wealth of inspiration from gorgeous designs here.

Blue Rhapsody
By PatriciaSheaDesigns
Blue Rhapsody
By PatriciaSheaDesigns

Tea time - Bridgeton regency interiors

Golden Chrysanthemums
By TaraNealArts
Golden Chrysanthemums
By TaraNealArts

4.   Bedroom Regency interiors

Regency Interiors - Bridgerton
cushion- A Sprig of Orange
By PatternDotDesigns
A Sprig of Orange
By PatternDotDesigns
cushion - Entwined Ribbons - Gold
By andreaalice
Entwined Ribbons - Gold
By andreaalice

Think about it: Regency inspiration can guide you to transform your bed into a comfortable, luxurious space filled with style. Recreate the sumptuousness of the Bridgerton Regency period bedrooms. Simply throw on lots of cushions in soft tones or pretty floral patterns.

Forget minimalism. Look at adding a new touch of luxury with throw cushions, upholstery and trims. You can enhanced this even further by using Velvet ( or Eco Velvet) fabric.

pillow design Euphorbia
By MargaretClavell
Euphorbia
By MargaretClavell
pillow design
Amori in aqua dot
By LilyOake
Amori in aqua dot
By LilyOake

Attention to detail

An English Regency home would pay attention to every detail. Linen should be lavish, in shades of soft gold, cream or white and quilts should be marshmallow-soft with damask coverings. The possibilities are as endless as the opportunities available.

pattern - Pink Rhapsody
By PatriciaSheaDesigns
Pink Rhapsody
By PatriciaSheaDesigns

The grand Empire-style spaces in all of these houses feature soothing, sumptuous colours that recreate the elegance and luxury of those bygone days.

4.   A touch of luxury in the Regency style

pattern dresses - Bridgerton

A perfect match for vibrant colourful pattern dresses. Pick the fabrics that express your personality and look radiant in a spring or summer walk between the blossoms.

Use light fabrics like Eco Satin Flow, Massey Crepe, Summer Voile or Organic Satin to create flowing summer pieces or Duchess Satin, Velvet or Heavy Satin for more sumptuous ballgowns or dresses.

Floral and Birds VIII
By BurcuKorkmazyurek -design
Floral and Birds VIII
By BurcuKorkmazyurek
Design 06-11-2020-16-03-34
By BurcuKorkmazyurek - design
Design 06-11-2020-16-03-34
By BurcuKorkmazyurek

5.   Regency interiors are all about the atmosphere

Regency interior design focuses on the atmosphere. This is what creates that dream-like quality. Convert your personal living spaces with lamps with soft lighting, lots of candles and diffusers. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’re transformed to the fairytale Regency period. 

The Regency period includes elegant furniture and accessories upholstered in stunning sumptuous fabrics, floral decorations and intricate wall mouldings.

The secret lies in the subtlety – classic pastel shades, soft patterns and embellishments that hint of luxury, grandness and affluence.

That’s the secret to Bridgerton décor and classical style. It’s not just about the look, it has become more about the ambience. This creates an atmosphere of leisurely, luxury living.

Add a modern touch

Yet you can keep those modern elements. It’s the way you incorporate luxury into your personal spaces that will offer that touch of modern Regency Bridgerton interior design. Explore more designs.

Regency interiors

The right way to recreate Regency interiors

Image credits: Netflix.com & maake

An Unforgettable Gift: Turn Your Letter Into a Fabric Keepsake

Picking a Valentine's Day gift that is memorable and thoughtful and will last a lifetime is not easy to find. No more boring Valentine’s Day cards. When Marie told us her story we knew we have to share it with you.

When my two-year-old opened my keepsake box I keep my letters in, I thought nothing of it. Little did I know, a few seconds later I hear her saying ‘sorry mummy’. I didn’t quite understand what she meant until I turned around and saw my letters soaking wet from her spilled water. I am the sentimental type; I keep letters and objects and that was heartbreaking. ‘But Mummy I wanted to wash them as you do with my clothes’ she said. Your clothes I thought? That’s brilliant! I picked my 3 most valuable letters and hung them to dry.“

I was inspired to create a keepsake letter out of digitally printed fabric, I just needed my patterns and my sewing machine and off I went! Now let me show you how.

How to turn your handwritten letter into a fabric keepsake?

  1. Photograph the letter
  2. Editing the letter - watch the video here.
  3. Download the fat quarter sewing pattern.
  4. Order your fabric.
  5. Let's get sewing.

These are the steps we're going to go through, so you can follow the video with ease. Other than that, don't worry - it's a really simple project.

Sewing skills needed: Beginner

Photoshop skill needed: Beginner (best to use Adobe Photoshop elements / Photoshop CC)

Print type: Digital textile printing

1. Photograph the letter

Firstly, grab your phone and make sure you are in natural light - you don’t want any phone shadows on your letter. Ideally you should scan the letter for optimal results, but who can find a scanner these days!

Got it? Now that you have your phone, lay the letter flat on the table and place your phone flat right above it and snap. Looking good? Snap a few just in case. If your letter is not flat, leave it overnight under the pile of books next to your bedside table - you know the ones you look at before you go to bed and think “oh I really want to read that, well tomorrow I won’t be so tired.”

Got the image? Send it to yourself by email, airdrop it - whatever works. Now it's time for some image edits.

2. Editing the letter

a. Open the image in Photoshop. You can just drag it onto the photoshop icon, or you can select File > Open and select the file from your computer.

Digital Fabric keepsake - open file in photoshop

b. You got this - you will probably see some shadows and some marks on your image. We want to clear all that up with some selection tools, otherwise it will be printed onto our fabric. That won’t look good at all! Ready to clean it up?

c. To make it more readable start by clicking Image > Auto Colour. The image should get a cleaner white look already.

Digital Fabric keepsake - clean up the image

d. Next, go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness / Contrast.

Digital Fabric keepsake - brightness contrast

e. Move the slider until it looks great.

Digital Fabric keepsake - move the slider

f. Make sure to tick the preview if it's not already on. That will help you see the changes in real time. You want to make it as bright as possible without losing the strength of the text and push the contrast enough to strengthen the text but stop before you start getting shadows on the background. You want the paper as white as possible.

Extra tip: The results depend on how you took the mobile picture. If you scanned, it will be easy to make it look sharp. Natural light is the best way to get the cleanest picture, so go outside and snap there.

g. Looking good! Now take the crop tool and crop the letter close to the text but allowing a border of white.

Digital Fabric keepsake - crop_1

h. Select the Magic Eraser tool and set the tolerance between 10 – 15 and click Contiguous off. Now click on the white areas and the paper background will disappear. Make sure to zoom in and ensure only the text remains. If your letters start to be affected, press back, reduce the tolerance, and go again.

Digital Fabric keepsake - magic eraser

i. The letter is ready. Go to File > Save as and save your keepsake letter as a jpg. Keep it open – we’re not done just yet.

3. Download the fat quarter sewing pattern

To make this tutorial as easy as it can be, we've prepared a template you can easily download.

a. Now you have it, open it in Photoshop. You are looking at a 65cm x 48cm canvas, which prints as Fat quarter. There is an allowance of 1cm for the seam. That will give us two final letters of 31.5cm x 23cm. You can always go bigger or smaller, just remember to keep your seam at 1cm.

Digital Fabric keepsake - open template

You can see the 5 layers set for you.

  • Cut lines
  • Hem/seam lines (you will need to delete this layer before you save your file)
  • Text (you will need to delete this layer before you save your file)
  • Letter
  • Design

b. Finished reading the text? Now delete that layer or you can make it invisible if you want to keep it handy.

c. Go back to your open letter and press ‘select all’ (⌘+A / Ctrl A), then ‘cut’ (⌘+X / Ctrl X) then click on the template tab. Make sure the ‘Letter’ layer is selected and paste (⌘+v / Ctrl V). The letter is now ready to be scaled. Size your letter within the guides.

Digital Fabric keepsake - insert text_1

Time to bring in the design that you picked for the other side of the letter. It can be a pattern, pictures, illustrations or another letter. The world is your oyster.

d. Open the image or design that you love and place it within the guides. You can also do File Open and pick the design from your computer. Repeat step 7. Select all, cut and paste. Make sure to paste on the ‘design’ layer. You can scale and crop (use rectangular marquee tool if needed) as you see fit and then place it on the other box within the guides. Make sure you are touching the red cut lines.

Digital Fabric keepsake - insert print_1

Extra tip: There is space for another letter or design. Never waste fabric - you can use that space for another letter – repeat steps 1-9 or you can add a design for another project you are working on in the remaining space. If you would like to use that half of the page for a one-piece pattern, simply delete the ‘cut line’ layer.

e. Once you are happy with your design, delete the hem lines layer and the text layer and flatten the image.

f. Click Layer > Flatten Image and it should all be on one layer now. The cut lines are still there and so is your letter and pattern.

Digital Fabric keepsake - extra letters

g. Last step before you save - Go to Image > Image Rotation > 90 clockwise. This is the format / direction we need the file to be to print your keepsake letter.

Digital Fabric keepsake - rotate

h. Time to save it, choose JPG or PNG – set your image options to Maximum.   

4. Order your fabric

Upload your design via the Fashion Formula ‘upload your design’ section and place your order! I recommend the Cotton Poplin as it has a lovely tight weave and it’s easy to sew.

Tip: If you want a cheaper option why not try the Calico (or the Organic Calico Natural from the organic cotton range. It has a beige colour base if you prefer a more aged, natural look).

Digital Fabric keepsake - upload your design - uploaded

Good to know: If you don’t have a design at hand or a picture that represents your vision, Fashion Formula has you covered. You can order any design from 10,000+ printing designers and we bet you will find your perfect match.

I used ‘Hand drawn flowers and floral Element 004 by Bluelela’ and Berries by Kate_Rina. For this tutorial as I couldn’t help myself - they are gorgeous.

You will need to order 2 fat quarters, one with the letter – follow step 1 -5 and go straight to upload on the website.

First fat quarter: No need for a template in this case, just create a file that is 65cm x 48cm. Centre and adjust the letter as you like.

Second fat quarter: Order the design on another fat quarter (you can adjust the scale of the design if you would like. Make sure you look at the rulers and scale accordingly) then just follow the same sewing tips as below.

5. Let’s get sewing!

You will need:

  • 1 fat quarter with printed letter and design (or two if you chose a print from our design community)
  • Sewing machine
  • Fabric scissors or rotary blade & cutting matt
  • Thread & pins
Fabric keepsake - you will need2

Your custom printed fabric is here! You barely waited, right? Shipping is typically only 2-4 days from order.

Cut over the cutting lines and you should have 4 pieces approx. 32.5cm x 24cm. Separate the 2 letters and the designs. Put one set aside for later. Now align them with the printed sides facing each other. Pin the 2 pieces together.

Fabric keepsake - cutting
Fabric keepsake - pinning_1

Remember the hem? Sew them together with a 1cm hem allowance, and make sure to leave around a 7-8cm open gap.

Don’t get distracted and sew it through, as you won’t be able to flip the fabric inside out.

Fabric keepsake - sewing

Now you need to flip it so that the printed side of the fabric is showing.

Just before you flip, cut the corners at a diagonal angle but be careful not to snip into the seam.

This will make the corners of your keepsake letter sit beautifully and reduce bulk from the seam.

Fabric keepsake - cut corners_1

Use something like a chopstick or the long side of a spoon worked for me to push the corners through the gap and turn the right side out.

Fabric keepsake - turn right way_1

There are two ways to finish your letter.

Option1 : For an invisible seam, hand finish the gap with a blind stitch

Option 2: For a beginner option, topstitch along the edge of your letter, making sure to close the hole.

There you have it! A love letter that will withstand the test of time! Children!

Fabric keepsake - topstitch
Fabric keepsake - angled letter

What is Poplin Fabric? All about poplin, cotton poplin and other fabric blends

Exactly what is poplin fabric? This material has to be one of the most versatile fabrics, pairing a soft consistency with a durable, resistant fibre.

So what is poplin fabric? We also call Poplin fabric 'tabbinet'. We make this plain-weave fabric out of cotton or a blend of cotton and polyester. It has very fine horizontal “ribs,” or threads. 

These yarns have a tight weave that allows the fabric to be strong and silky at the same time. No wonder we find poplin fabric literally everywhere!

If you are wondering what to use poplin fabric for, read on. We basically use it in all forms, shapes and sizes, from classic shirts and dresses to sportswear. We also use it for lining for home decor, bedding and raincoats.

Poplin fabric features a canvas weave that gives it a light, very fine ribbed texture with a soft drape. At the same time, because of poplin’s weave, it is incredibly durable. So you can use it to create tops, trousers or lightweight coats. This natural cotton material is your first choice to work with, as it’s a soft sewing fabric that performs impeccably in whatever design you’re going for.

How poplin fabric was made

Introduced back in the 15th Century in Avignon, France, poplin derives from the word “papelaine,” which refers to the papal town of Avignon and an obsolete fabric with a similar weave. Since then, this fabric has grown in popularity. Manufacturers replaced silk and wool with pure cotton. Now it’s a staple of day wear and elegant outfits - you can’t go wrong with sewing with poplin.

In those days, we made poplin out of silk and wool and used we used the fabric for winter attire. Today we manufacture high-quality poplin fabric from 100% natural cotton, or a mix of synthetic and natural fibres such as rayon, satin, silk and wool.

Poplin fabric characteristics

Poplin fabric has 7 distinct characteristics:

  1. Durable: Although sturdy, this material has a soft feel. This is why the fabric is a popular choice for summer clothing. It’s also water-resistant, which is a big advantage.
  2. Smooth: Poplin’s distinctive smooth texture make it easy to wash time and again. The fabric holds its shape and doesn’t crease or stain. It’s often used for homeware items such as tableware, quilts and light upholstery.
  3. Tight weave fabric: Poplin fabric is a plain weave material characterized by crosswise ribs. This means we weave it in a simple over-under pattern (contrary to the complex texture of weaves that are used for fabrics such as satin and twill). This gives the fabric its signature versatility and flowy texture. 
  4. Lightweight: Thanks to this tight weave, poplin is lightweight, which is why it’s a popular choice for summer garments, especially shirts for men and women. Because it’s thin, it can be a little transparent, so it often needs a lining or undergarment.
  5. Affordable: Manufacturing poplin is relatively inexpensive, compared to other natural materials. Obviously, the more luxurious fabrics like silk poplin will cost more.
  6. Ideal for warm climates: It’s crisp and lightweight and has a natural drape, and all those reasons make poplin perfect for summer wear. Clothing made from poplin is cool, breathable and dries quickly. 
  7. Great for printing: This fabric is made for printing on! In fact, it’s known for printing and dyeing extremely well. Its versatility makes it a great choice for a number of clothing and interior design products.

What do we use poplin for?

We have always used poplin for all occasions or purposes, because it’s so versatile. It combines durability and a sleek look, so it comes as no surprise it became the number one choice for women’s dresses.

In the 19th century, people started using poplin for upholstery as well, and in the Second World War, it was a common fabric choice for soldiers’ uniforms. Today, this extremely comfortable, durable fabric is a stylish choice for a number of different products.

Sewing material
Poplin is the perfect fabric for making dresses for kids and adults alike

PPoplin fabric has a nice drape, and since it’s 100% natural, it’s cool to wear. These properties have helped make poplin an excellent choice for all manner of clothing, from shirts and skirts to trousers and jackets as well as several homeware items. It’s an inexpensive fabric but highly performative. It’s subtly shiny, which adds an elegant appearance without looking too dramatic or overly formal.

How does poplin fabric print?

This fabric is a dream to print on. Its texture is so smooth it won’t cause any problems during the printing process, making it effortless and satisfying. It can also hold its shape quite well, is wrinkle-resistant, and your final product will be neat.

Because of the material’s structure, colour prints vibrantly on poplin. 

Whether you are a high fashion pro looking for your next signature look, you’re looking for your dream fabric for a made to measure dress or want to renovate your interiors; poplin fabric is an all-rounder. It’s an unproblematic, soft and elegant choice to explore your creativity together with impeccable high performance.

Pick the right poplin fabric

Shop maake’s selection of  poplin fabrics…

Cotton poplin fabric

This 100% cotton poplin fabric is perfect for shirts, dresses and light outer wear items. We also use it for bedding and crafts. Perfect for wearing year-round, it’s sturdy, lightweight and smooth with a plain weave. Sews beautifully and irons well, too. Print face and back are identical.

Stretch Poplin

Similar to cotton poplin (above), we make this popular lightweight fabric from 97% cotton and 3% elastane, which gives it a slight stretch. This makes it perfect for shirts and blouses as well as dresses and outerwear.    

Organic Poplin

Made from 100% GOTS cotton fabric, this classic lightweight material is the organic version of our cotton poplin dressmaking fabric. It’s the perfect choice for shirts and other crisp items of clothing. We also use it for dresses and outerwear.

Printing on maake's poplin fabric

We print on all our printed cotton poplin material in the most sustainable way possible, using special Digital Pigment inks. We use no water when printing on these fabrics and the printing process involves using about 95% less energy than traditional screen printing.

Create your own design

Design File Types for Fabric Explained: How to use different formats

File types for design explained

Planning to design for printing on fabric using digital technology? Here’s everything you need to know

The first thing you need to know before you print your design on fabric is how to save your files once you have created the design. 

What is a design file and why are these graphic file formats so important?

Editable file types are often a key part of your design process. They give your computer information about what they are and which format you have created them in. Graphic file types also inform you of which software you need to use to view and edit the graphics file. 

File types for design explained

Now, the graphics file format and sizes can also affect the quality of your design content. Some files are better for text, and some are better for an images, a logo or a photo. We have compiled information on different graphics formats of files you may use when you create your design project. Take a look…

Graphic file types

When you save your design, the format you use to create your design image will dictate the file type. 

  • JPEG: This is a most common image format. The image is a compressed raster (pixel-based) format used for photos and graphics. The compression levels are adjustable. JPEGs are perfect for all types of print projects. These raster images are ideal for editing and printing graphics, artwork and photos.
  • PNG file format: This is short for "Portable Network Graphics". One of the main reasons a designer may use a PNG image is that PNG images support transparency. This allows the designer to have a clear and transparent background on their graphics. This is rather than having a coloured background that can be tricky to remove.

We call the file compression of a PNG image ‘lossless’, which means there is no loss in the quality of the PNG image. These graphic image file formats are ideal to use on the web, but are not ideal for print. 

Information on other File Types

When we embark on designing for printing on fabric these are the image formats we usually discuss. This is by no means an exhaustive image format list, but it's a great place to start getting familiar with information about the different types of image files and to find out when to use them. 

  • AI - If you use Adobe Illustrator, AI (which translates to Adobe Illustrator) will be your default image format. Adobe Illustrator works well with vector graphics editing. AI files can be exported in another format such as PDF for printing and reviewing the image and TIFF or JPEG for web use and extra image editing.
  • PSD file format - If Adobe Photoshop is your software of choice, PSD (Photoshop document) will be your default image file format. Printers will usually not recognise graphics saved in this image format. You will need to export your image files into TIFF or JPEG before you print.
  • EPS – This image stands for "Encapsulated PostScript" which is a vector-based image file that is used to create high resolution graphics for print use. It is a universal file type which is a great advantage and can be used in different software, unlike other files. These image files are not ideal for photographs or artwork.
  • TIFF- A large raster image file. These image files produce a high-quality image for printing. All the original data is always maintained no matter how many times you copy or compress these quality graphics files.

The main difference between TIFF and PSD image files is the size limits. Tiffs can handle over 2GB. TIFFs are extremely high quality raster images that we usually use to print high-quality photos. You should avoid these quality raster image files if you're creating files for the web because of their huge size. We create both of these image files in Photoshop.

Which Graphic Image File Format should You Choose?

We’ve given you the list of the most frequently used graphics files used by fabric designers. There are plenty more, which designers create in Photoshop and other formats. We divide these files into 2 separate groups of files. 

The most important thing to remember is that, when a designer creates a pattern, they save the graphic in a particular format that is an image file. Each image file format has a specific use – and using the right file format for your print project will help in making sure your designs or graphics print clearly and with vivid colours. 

Certainly, the type of fabric you choose to print on will decide the end result of the print job. But knowing upfront about your file format will make all the difference to your final product.

A designer uses graphic image files in 2 distinct file formats, the raster format and the vector graphics file format. We have mentioned these graphics file formats already, but let’s explain them in detail so you will be more familiar with them.

Raster File Formats

These image raster images are: JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, RAW and PSD.

We make Raster image files in Photoshop. We create each image file from a set grid made of dots that we call pixels. Each pixel is a different colour. When you create these image files in Photoshop, they exist at one particular size. If you want to edit raster images to make the raster files larger, you will have to stretch the raster format’s pixels. And this is where the term ‘pixelated’ comes from – when making the raster image too big, it becomes pixelated, and isn’t clear. It’s best to rather leave the raster image at its original size, rather than try to enlarge it.

Raster files are usually the format we use to save photographs, graphics, digital designs (like patterns to print on fabric or a logo) and some web graphics and designs for social media and emails using Photoshop. We use Adobe Photoshop to create, design and edit these high quality raster images. We also use Adobe Photoshop to add specific effects to these raster images like texture and shadow or to edit the original images.

Printing Raster Files

We’ve discussed the colour models RGB and CMYK in depth in our blog on Colour Theory (read it here). These are the 2 models we use in colour printing. For CMYK we use 4 colour inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and black), while for RGB we only use the primary colours red, green and blue – these RGB shades reflect the exact colours we see on the screen; this is why we often use this format for creative web design for marketing and advertising purposes. On the other hand, CMYK can create a whole kaleidoscope of gorgeous quality colours for your images or high resolution logo. We can mix both colour models together to create numerous other colours.

The Vector Image File Format

These files are: PDF, EPS, SVG and AI

Vector images describe digital artwork that we have created on computer – almost like a vast mathematics equation that transforms various shapes into art. Vector images depend solely on resolution. This means that if you increase or reduce the size of a vector image, it won’t lose its clarity or detail. We use the vector format a lot for format setting, or creating and editing a logo and digital illustrations in Adobe Illustrator (AI files), but not in Photoshop.

Important Factors when Creating Files

  • File Resolution

For printing, you require a file of a reasonable quality, with a minimum file resolution of 150dpi (50 dots per inch or DPI). 

  • File Size

This determines the size of the final print on the product. 

If you have more questions about graphics, designs, patterns or images, you can always get in touch with our designer team who will be more than happy to help.

Once you have chosen the fabric you are going to print your pattern or images on, it’s a good idea to find out about how to print on fabric, which will explain maake’s printing processes.

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Using the Colour Atlas

We Match Your Colours

How to Pick the Right Fabric for Your Project?

An Introduction to Colour Theory and the Colour Wheel

Colour theory gives you the definitive guide to color so that you can print your designs clearly

To understand the processes of color matching for your fabric printing project we first want to explain the basics of color theory.

Creating aesthetically pleasing prints often begins or ends with color. Evoke emotions and creativity with color and color palettes.

What is Color Theory?

Yes, it’s another rule book – the introduction to colour theory. But where would we be without guidelines? Colour theory is like a textbook that outlines all the points designers need to use color effectively. It’s a collection of information about color: how we see color, the psychology of different shades, how color is different according to our cultures and much more.

Developed many years ago, this concept is a science and art unto itself; it puts color into perspective and gives it a structure.

Look at it as the collection of rules and guidelines which designers use to communicate with users through appealing color schemes in visual interfaces.

Why you need to know about color 

Research has shown the importance of color choices when it comes to marketing your brand. In fact, “People decide whether or not they like a product in 90 seconds or less. 90% of that decision is based solely on color,” according to the online graphic design marketplace 99designs

That’s why you need to worry about color in your small business! Having a background in this concept can help your marketing; it can help build your brand and get more sales. All you need is the basic know-how about colors, color schemes and which color works best when it comes to evoking specific feelings. 

Positive reactions based on the color scheme will make your brand stand out and help you sell your products. For instance, we associate yellow with happiness and blue with dependability (think about how many banks and insurance companies have blue logos!). That’s where this theory comes in…

Let us help you brand your company – read on and find out all about color theory.

What exactly is color?

We all perceive color in a specific way. We learn that early in Imagine you’re looking at a stretch of green grass. Your eyes send information to your brain telling us that the grass is green.

That's how the light reflects the light waves. Every color has different combinations of light waves, which we translate into specific colors. 

We create different colors by mixing wavelengths or light waves of different intensities, for instance red and yellow make orange, blue and yellow green, and so on. We get bright colors by adding more light.

Now imagine you’re in a store looking for a tin of cold drink. How do your eyes land on the Coke tin? It’s because it's a red tin. Coke sells billions of cans with its iconic red and white brand colors.

The Basics of Color Theory

A discipline about color was first developed by Sir Isaac Newton in the year 1666. Since his first creation, the color wheel has changed over time; modern versions feature several variations.

The colour theory behind the wheel? It contains pure colors that build the basis of all colors. You can change each color on the wheel by mixing it with white, black, or black and white.

It’s important to understand exactly how the color wheel works. And you need to know which colors harmonise together, and which colors don’t. Let’s take a look…

Interpreting the color wheel

The wheel is a set of color rules that help us understand how different colors behave and interact with each other. 

There are three primary colors: red, yellow and blue. We combine these colors to make secondary colors. So, blue and yellow make green, red and yellow make orange and red and blue make purple (we create these colors created by mixing those primary colors together). There are also 6 tertiary colors. We create these shades by combining primary and secondary colors. They include blue-green, red-violet and others.

If you draw a line down the middle of the color wheel image, you’ll find warm and cool colors. Notice that the warm colors (orange, red and yellow) are on one side, and the cool colors (purple, greens and blues) are on the other side.

Now here’s something you may not know: color has a temperature. So we divide the wheel into cool and warm colors. Think about the psychology of color. You'll notice that warmer colors are equated with energy, movement and brightness, while cooler colors symbolise calm and tranquillity. Now you can imagine how you can change your brand’s message to paint a picture by using a specific set of colors!

colour theory explained

Hue, tint, shade and tone

The 4 elements of hues, tones, tints and shades make up the 4 basic parameters for colors. By combining them we are able to create a limitless amount of colors. Check this out…

·      Hue: It’s another word for ‘color’ and it explains the different colors we find on the color wheel. 

·      Tint: This is a color on the wheel that has white added to it. For example, purple and white make lavender and red and white make pink.

·      Shade:  Here we have a hue where black has been added to a color on the color wheel. A shade is a dark version of an original color. So, a combination of black and blue will give navy blue. 

·      Tone: This particular hue is a color on the color wheel which has had black and white (which make gray) to it. Adding white and black results in a muted, less intense tone of the original color. In this example, if you blend red and grey, you will get a muted, dull red.

A color scheme for patterns and designs

The colour combinations you use to create a design or pattern will change the way your customers perceive your product or brand. Let’s take a look at the different color scheme options, so that you can make patterns that will be particularly appealing:

·      Analogous colors: These colors sit next to each other on the color wheel, for example purple, blue and green or yellow, orange and red. This maximises the contrast between the colors.

·      Complementary colors: These are contrasting, opposite colors on the color wheel, examples would be red and green or yellow and purple. We usually use 2 complementary colors.

·      Monochramatic colors: This is where you take one color, or hue, and make other shades or tints from it. 

·      Split complementary color scheme: These colors are created by adding colors from either side on the color wheel of the 2 complementary colors you have chosen. This will soften the contrast between the two complementary colors.

·      Square colors: Similar to tetradic colors (see below), this color scheme involves 4 colors that are evenly set apart on the color wheel, approximately 90 degrees apart. This color mix works well when you use all 4 colors evenly.

·      Tetradic colors: This color scheme involves 4 color ways – 2 sets of complementary colors, for example yellow, orange, blue and violet. Creations made from these colors will be rich and unique.

·      Triadic colors: These 3 bright, dramatic colors are equidistant on the color wheel, ie about 120 degrees apart. When you use triadic colors together, they offer high contrast and create a harmonious accent. This color scheme creates extremely appealing designs.

What to look out for when combining colors together

It’s very important that you use colour theories to get the right colour mix so that your designs, logo’s etc are appealing to your target audience. 

1.     When it comes to color, we do this through contrast. If the contrast is correct, your audience will be attracted to your product. 

2.     Vibrancy is very important. The color you choose needs to create a positive emotional response. The more vibrant the colour, the more likely you are to achieve the response. Of course, you do need to know your target audience at the outset to get the right response.

3.     Take color-blindedness into account. Many people are color blind and don’t see red and green color the way they really are. 

4.     Think about the culture of your audience. Make sure that the color has positive associations for your audience. Color has very different meanings. It’s important to know about colors, particularly how people see them in Eastern and Western cultures. For instance, Chinese people consider red to mean good fortune, while Americans associate the color with danger.

How to create harmony in your design or logo

Colour theory teaches us the science of color. It also gives us a background in the art of how using color effectively. This article already explains how humans perceive color and how we can mix colors together to create different effects.

But it’s also important to understand the effects different colors have on each other. Harmony involves blending warm and cool colors to reflect your message and depict your brand’s personality.

Designers often use the additive color models for visual designs; this involves the 3 primary colors: red, blue and green. They use this color model to create the design that will appeal to the audience. They also do this so so that they can use design extensively. 

Your end goal when it comes to color and color theory is to use color to reflect the personality of your brand and also to get a positive reaction from your target audience. 

The primary color settings 

There are 2 basic primary color settings – RGB and CMYK. 

·      RGB: Color is an essential part of human-computer interaction. We make RGB from 3 primary colors – blue, green and red, which are the colours we see on our computer, TV and mobile phone screens. We also combine those RGB colors to create other colors that we see on our screens. Remember: we always use RGB colors for screens.

·      CMYK: We make these colors using a combination of 4 primary colors - cyan magenta yellow and black (key). Printers mostly use CMYK – we use this setting for signage, magazines, printing on fabrics etc. The reason is simple: you can make other color combinations on fabric using those 4 colors. CMYK printing is how colors print bold, clear and vibrant.

Why is Color Important for Fabric Printing?

Our eye can see billions of colors. Your screen can display millions. The best fabric printer can make thousands.

So, when it comes to designing your ideal fabrics for your project or company, choosing the right color can make or break your printing results. 

Setting up your design files with the correct color settings will definitely affect the way the color may print. You’ll find out how to do that on our website when you upload a file for printing.

How to use the maake Color Atlas

We created our iconic color atlas using more than 2,400 colors and their color codes. We have designed this atlas to fit on 1m of fabric so that you can see exactly how you will see a particular color when we print it on fabric. 

The color atlas gives designers the opportunity to select particular colors to use when printing patterns. It is essential for color matching and color selection. 

Once you have done your color matching and selection, we always recommend that customers get a sample print from our color sample book. It features swatches of our 80 base fabrics that you can print on. Order a sample of your design to see exactly what the design and color choice will look like on your choice of fabric once we have printed it. 

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Design Tips : How to create Patchwork in Photoshop

Today, making a colourful patchwork piece doesn't take hours of sewing in material leftovers.

You can let your imagination go loose and create the most wonderful combinations with some fabric printing. The most important step is to create a playful design using Photoshop.

It may be easy for an advanced Photoshop user, but to a rookie, this patchwork photoshop tutorial will come in handy.

Step by step photoshop patchwork tutorial

1. Open a square RGB

Open a square RGB with 150 dpi ( on this example 60 cm x 60cm as the 20cm square size is visually engaging)

 2. Create 4 guides

Create 4 guides to place the 9 square designs. Go to View, New guide … Choose orientation horizontal, position : 20 cm.

Repeat with horizontal 40cm, vertical 20cm, vertical 40cm. You should have 9 perfect 20cm squares :

3. Place the squares into slots

Place the 9 different squares into their different slots. Open the square design in Photoshop, with the tool Move (v), drag the design into the patchwork file. It will create a new layer that you can rename. Open the Properties window by going to View, Properties. It will show the size of your design in the patchwork. Change the X to 20cm, Click on the link pixel width and height if it isn’t active. It will change H to 20 cm as well. Place the design on the first slot.

Repeat the same action for the 9 different designs. Your patchwork should look like this.