LizzyDish and how it came to be.

I wanted to reveal a little... share a little about LizzyDish.

I have received several, several emails asking about fabric design, and how I got started and where to go and what to do... so because I am not so hot at responding to every email, I wanted to share it with everyone. I want to be a helpful peep.

click here to read about how I got the deal.

Designing:

I always draw everything first. I always have about 3 sketch books with me. One of them is usually for lists, one is devoted to a specific project, and the other is for random stuff.

My style is either extremely sketchy or extremely graphic. I love flat! You can see all my influences in my work... Edward Gorey, Mary Blair, Saul Bass, Charles Schultz, David Weidman, Quinton Blake, Marimekko, and anything Mario Brothers or Legend of Zelda.

But I draw all the time. Church, class, especially airports. Some of my very best stuff comes from airports, and my most interesting stuff happens at about 3-4 AM.

For LizzyDish, the whole thing started with this sketch.

I took it the computer lab, scanned it in, and traced it with the pen tool so I could figure out some colors, because I wanted to carve some blocks and print it.

this is what I ended up with, I wrote about it here. I was really excited about it.

from there I carved three blocks.

the picture was from a terrible article written about me in the school paper. They knew it was bad too. Misquotes, misinterpretations... everything that could be wrong in an article was, but it was a cute picture, with the blocks of LizzyDish in hand.

I made an edition of twenty of the print:

 
I wanted it to appear like something out of a 1950's or early 60's cook book. Something you got from your mom or were excited about finding in thrift store or at a garage sale. I kept that in mind while I was designing the line. Especially were the colors were concerned.

Color is such a huge thing to me. So I kept the colors true to things that were happening during those decades. One color way reflects the color trends of Fiesta Ware that was being produced, another the idea of retro kitchen appliances, and the third: the craze of Beach Party movies and the love the US had for the new state of Hawaii.

I always make a color chart. The colors tend to change along the way, but it is where I start... after the initial drawings.

I also create a logo. The g-designer in me can't help but brand everything I do.

It is some months later and my part is done (for now), now it is in the hands of my Andover peeps, and the peeps at the mill. It will be up to you peeps to make stuff with it, and how great will that be? I already have some projects planned that will be a lot of fun.

so this is my break down

• get an idea
• start sketching
• draw it in the computer
• plan out color
• work out all possible accompanying patterns
• make a logo!
• edit edit edit edit edit
• submit

this is what works for me. Leave a comment if you have any other questions or what your process is. I can't wait to get my hands on this fabric. The line is actually extremely versatile and can be used for so much more than the kitchen, but think of the APRONS!

i hope that you are as excited as I am.

here is an FAQ that I will update as I receive questions!

Comments

[Wendy]

Thanks so much about your candidness with this process. I have always been very interested. I have two questions: when you direct your inquiries to fabric companies, is it the art director that you want to locate or someone else to send your proposal to? And, second, how do you develop a color pallete? Do you use pantones or another method for valuing a color? It seems that computer screens and printers all reflect colors in a different manner than our eye. Thanks again for your informative post. One last thing...any advice you have for someone interested in developing a line?

[Joan]

Thanks for more about your fabric. I'm saving my pennies so that I can buy lots of it. The colors sound absolutely delicious.
I can only imagine how much fun it must be to see your designs become fabric--have you touched any yet?
And then to think that lots of people will have it in their homes. Pieces may survive for future generations. Profound and fun.
Love,
Joan

[Nanette]

Its super darling and I can't wait for it to be gobbled up by quilters everywhere.

[busylittlequilter.blogspot.com]

Thanks, so much, Lizzy. I was one of the ones who asked you about the process.

I have enjoyed so much watching you grow into being a fabric designer. I met you through Barbara's blog after the night you ate dinner with her. She said that she could "see" something in you and you were one to watch. She was right!

It is a little discouraging to hear that you weren't treated with respect from some of the fabric companies. That's a little disheartening to me, especially after seeing what's out there. Afterall, what appeals to some people doesn't appeal to others, but that doesn't mean that it's terrible. Being a mother and grandmother to little boys, I saw paper airplanes as finally being a fabric I could use for them. It's hard to find fabric without little flowers! The colors are great, too. It seems that everything for little boys is blue and yellow or bright primary colors. Evidently, they just didn't know what needed to be out there.

My friend and I have this wonderful idea and we don't know how to go about getting it from our head to the fabric design process. Neither one of us are artists, and we don't know how to use an art type computer program. Our idea is a great one that everyone could use.

A few weeks ago I was watching Joel Osteen on TV. I love his sermons because he is so positive. Anyway, he was talking about blessings and how they come big and small. He said that sometimes God gives you a creative idea and I had an "ah ah" moment! I know this idea would be a blessing not only to my friend and myself, but to quilters as well.

You and your mom have been blessed, and I feel blessed to have met you both through blogging. I can't wait to see Lizzy Dish in the stores and your pattern ideas.

[meg]

Oh my goodness: How can I help but to think of the aprons?! I love it already, which isn't surprising, considering my love of the old Betty Crocker hostess cookbooks and the like. Can't wait to see it in all its cottony splendor -- great job, Lizzy!

[daisy janie]

Very informative, and a super happy design! I am a textile designer, too, and just sent off my first huge order to the mill. So stinking exciting!!! Nice to meet you!!

[Cicada studio]

I love reading about how other designers work (similarities and differences). Thanks for sharing your process! Your print is wonderful. I'm also fanatical about color, so your little chart really appeals to me!

[Pam]

I really enjoyed reading about your fabric journey. I guess like all things, it's never easy but now you have FABRIC. I'm very excited for you.

Thanks for telling all the behind the scenes story in the links. I hadn't gone back to read them till now. I didn't know you knew Barbara. I really enjoyed meeting her at market the first time I ever went. I found her so charming and friendly.

Congratulations again. I'm so very happy for you. I can't wait to make something out of Lizzy Dish

[Robin Meyers]

oh, i cannot wait until i have the time to sit down and read your entire blog from day one! i have been wanting to start my own blog sooo badly, but haven't really had the inspiration yet, but here it is! thanks so much and good luck on all your future endeavors. i'll send you a comment when i start my new fab blog!

[Jessica Speed]

Elizabeth! This is Jessica (Dobson), I was just wondering how you were doing and found your site. I love all your work, you are so talented! Way to go!

www.thespeedfamily.blogspot.com

[betsy]

This was so wonderful to read. Thank you!

[Andrea Larsen]

Thank you so much for this!!! I have been working very hard since January to design my own line of fabrics. I was feeling sorry for myself that it is taking me such a long time to get my drawings into the computer. Especially after reading about other design bloggers that took a year from start to fabric. I'm still learning Illustrator. But I don't feel sorry for myself anymore. I wasn't calling fabric companies when I was twelve. Just 30 and I haven't hit 31 yet. I noticed that your color charts were in cymk. I have been working in RGB. Should I change my format?

Thanks for the bone!

And good luck with your first line!

[Amy]

Great pix of your new designs. Your colors are fabulous Lizzy. Can't wait to see the whole line with all the colorways. So excited for you.

[lisa]

Elizabeth, you are so wonderful. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge and spending so much time with us the other night, you are simply fantastic. As is your work!

[Janelle Steinberg]

I loved your story and your ambition! Congrats and keep at it!

Janelle Steinberg BA, ASID Allied
Director of Design
J Steinberg Design

[dana bowers]

Congratulations on all your success Lizzie! I'm hoping to break into the world of fabric design one day too!! You are an inspiration. I am also a graphic designer who fell in love with printmaking. I also draw by hand and then take everything into Illustrator and redraw it. Love Illustrator and I'm addicted to Moleskine sketch books (they fit really well into purses and bags)! I also tend to carry around circle templates with me. Right now I design and print letterpress stationery but I'm going to start translating my designs into fabric soon (fingers crossed). Congratulations again. I love your story!

dana
www.shimmer-studio.com

[Lauri]

Whatever your process is WORKS! I am so in love with that fabric!

[SarahB]

Thank you so much for sharing this part of the process! I hope to design a fabric line of my own someday as well.