Monday, August 5, 2013

Day 1 - the process of an Elefantz design


This week I'm going to take you through my design process!
From Monday to Friday I'll show you snapshots of my journey from the first pencil sketch to the finished project.
Last week I was given a bundle of fabrics by Patchwork & Stitching magazine (Australia). The fat quarters belong to Helen Stubbing's new 'Nice People, Nice Things' range from Red Rooster fabrics, and I've been asked to design a project for the magazine using them.
Normally I sketch my design first and then choose my fabrics, but this time the fabrics took precedence...
 What initially struck me about 'Nice People Nice Things' was its suitability for applique and backgrounds, as the fabrics are mainly tonal with only a few multi coloured prints in the range.
I love doing applique so decided to design a table runner using appliqued blocks as a feature.

Step one was to sketch a rough idea of what I wanted the table runner to look like...

Step two was to break the design down to actual measurements, decide the size of the applique blocks and start sketching their design.
 I sketch with a HB pencil, drawing and erasing until I have what is pleasing to my eye. When I'm happy with what's on the paper I go over the design with a black 0.4 pigma pen.

Step three is to draw the full layout of the design onto graph paper.
 I'll be using the two designs reversed, as well as their original format, to make four appliqued blocks.
The final step before I prepare the blocks to stitch is to choose what fabrics will be used, and where in the design they will feature.

 Tomorrow I'll take you through my preparation of the applique blocks, and explain how the fabrics had a say in that process. Yes, the fabric can speak. ;-)


A little show & tell before I sign off for the day?

Edith has made my free design, "The Lord is my Shield", and isn't it lovely in the bright colours!?

All my Christian designs are free, and can be downloaded HERE
I'm working on a new one at the moment and will share it next week. Here's a peek...

WINNER!!

The winner of my giveaway for this "Happy Table Runner" kit is Jean in Canada!!


Congratulations JEAN, and thank you to all who entered the giveaway celebrating the launch of my "Shabby Roses Home" BOM!
I have emailed Jean for her address, and as soon as I have it I can post this pretty parcel off to her!

The  three runners up, who will each receive a PDF pattern for my "Partridge & Pear" wall hanging design...
are...

1. Capi
2.  Barbara
3. Donna G

Ladies, please email me and I will bless you with this sweet PDF pattern!


have a blessed day!
hugs
Jenny
xx

17 comments:

quilty stitches said...

This is so exciting going through your design process with you!! Thank you for sharing. And woohoo congrats to all you lucky ladies who won!

Larissa said...

Luv it!! Looking forward to learning the next part of your process :) ... And congratulations to the ladies!!

e said...

Thank you for taking us through the design process. I'm not a designer of projects from start to finish. I've only ever worked from someone else's designs and added my interpretation to them. It is very enlightening to see it from a designer's perspective. Not to mention you are working under a deadline, which also has to be factored in.

Can't wait to see the finished project.

Lida said...

I can see you have fun with the fabric and that the inspiration is flowing! Hugs
Lida

margaret said...

it is going to be interesting following your design journey. As I have mentioned before it amazes me hoe much you squeeze into a day.Now eagerly waiting the next blog.

Vickie said...

'tis a wonderful talent you have Jenny...and oh yes fabric sure does speak..most of mine says no no no don't cut me....cheers Vicke

Michelle Ridgway said...

It is lovely to see your creative process Jenny...lovely show and tell.

Noela said...

Great post Jenny. It will be interesting watching how the process from start to finish develops. Hugs....

Annerose said...

Glückwunsch allen Gewinnern. Das wird sicher ein sehr schöner Läufer werden. Ich freue mich darauf dich dabei zu beobachten.
Ganz liebe Grüße Annerose

Carrie P. said...

thanks for sharing your design process. I am trying to figure out how to put some blocks together that are different sizes. I have some of that graph paper so I am going to draw them on it and see how I can put them together. thanks for the idea.

Sue said...

Thankyou so much for being willing to share your design process. As I have mentioned to you before.. I love to draw & spend ages doodling and making up patterns etc., in a little book.. but I can never seem to get any further. So I really appreciate you helping me to see how I could create things myself. You are a marvel Jenny! God Bless xx

janice15 said...

Congraulations ... to who won... I love your work I love those flowers and the little bubble bee.. I enjoy coming to see your work.. have a great new week. with love Janice

Unknown said...

I absolutely love all the things you create and I have ordered several patterns already. I am very excited to have found your site and I so look forward to all your future patterns and creations. You are truly blessed with creativity!

Sweet Blessings

Tammy said...

Congrats to all the winners. Lovely blog post today Jenny.

Rosie said...

Thanks for show and tell, it's great to see how the lovely things you make come about.

Anonymous said...

I am so excited to have won the Partridge and Pear. I can't wait to start.
Thanks so much for sharing the design process. It is a private process and you are so precious to share it. Thanks.
Love you!

Anonymous said...

I love process posts. I was so excited to see that you do the pencil/erase/pigma pen method, too! Though yours still looks more professional than mine. =)