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Erin Dollar

What is surface pattern design?

June 14, 2019

After being profiled by Uppercase Magazine last month for their Surface Pattern Design issue, it’s been great to connect with people from all over the world who have a love of repeat patterns!

You might be wondering, what is surface pattern design, anyway? As my creative work has expanded beyond my own product collection for Cotton & Flax, I’ve been working more as a freelance surface pattern designer. I use the term surface design from time to time, forgetting that it’s “insider” terminology.

Surface Pattern Defined

Surface pattern design is artwork that I create specifically to be applied as surface decoration. This could include patterns, illustrations, hand-lettering, and artwork in all sorts of styles, as long as they’re made to enhance the appearance or functionality of a product. For me, this usually means a two-color minimalist pattern design, but the style options for pattern design are endless.

I usually design patterns for use on fabrics — this is why I call myself a textile designer and a surface pattern designer interchangeably. My patterned home decor products, as well as the fabric yardage collections I create for Robert Kaufman Fabrics are all examples of my surface pattern design work. Surface pattern designers also create artwork for use on stationery, apparel, book covers, and gift items. In fact, I’d argue that murals are also a form of surface pattern design!

My creative career covers a lot of ground: business owner, artist, teacher, textile designer, and surface pattern designer. Having my creative work highlighted by Uppercase Magazine made me realize that I haven’t talked much about my transition to focusing on surface pattern design for select collaborations. I’m hoping to share more of my experience as a freelance designer here, especially with more partnerships in the works for 2020!

In the meantime: see more of my pattern making process, and explore my roundup of contemporary fabric designers!

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes Tagged With: fabric design, fabric designers, pattern

Karina Bania at Cotton & Flax

June 6, 2019

Karina Bania paintings on display at Cotton & Flax in San Diego

I’m excited to host a show of new paintings from Karina Bania at the shop this month! Karina is a talented local artist, and her abstract mixed media pieces feature beautiful pigmented washes and expressive textures.

We’re now displaying some of her newest mixed media paintings, which we hung in time for Art Around Adams, a two-mile art walk around San Diego’s Adams Ave! Her four original paintings are hung throughout the shop, alongside our range of handcrafted home decor.

Come discover the range of affordable art we carry in-store! Plus, you’ll find new arrivals from Melanie Abrantes Designs, Wolfum, Fruitsuper, Knit Wit Magazine, and more.

Cotton & Flax
3180 Adams Ave.
San Diego, CA 92116

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes Tagged With: home decor, San Diego, shop small

Erin in Uppercase Magazine

May 13, 2019

Have you checked out Uppercase Magazine‘s latest issue? It’s their surface pattern design guide, and between 100+ pages of pattern inspiration, you’ll find a little profile on me and my retail shop in San Diego!

As a long-time fan and subscriber of Uppercase, I am thrilled to be featured among so many talented designers and artists. If you love pattern as much as I do, pick up a copy of issue 41 while you can!

Erin Dollar in Uppercase Magazine's surface pattern design guide

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes, Print and Pattern Tagged With: pattern, press

Interview on Dear Handmade Life

May 9, 2019

Erin Dollar at the Cotton & Flax shop in San Diego

I feel honored to be interviewed on the Dear Handmade Life podcast today! In our hour long interview, I talk about my creative journey at Cotton & Flax, and share how I think about marketing a creative business beyond posting on social media.

You can listen to the episode on the Dear Handmade Life website, or download the episode on your favorite podcast network.

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes Tagged With: press

Balboa fabric in Love Patchwork & Quilting

April 18, 2019

Modern quilt for Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine

Thrilled to see Balboa fabric featured in Love Patchwork & Quilting Magazine this month! Modern quilt artisan Erin Kroker sewed up a gorgeous quilt using all Balboa fabric, which is prominently featured in issue 73 of Love Patchwork & Quilting.

The sewing pattern for this quilt, which is called “Take Flight,” is only available in this issue of the magazine — nowhere else! If you want to sew your own, you’ll have to grab a copy of the magazine.

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Filed Under: Collaborations, DIY, Inspiration Tagged With: diy, press, quilts, sewing

What I’m Reading: The Lonny Home

April 12, 2019

I’ve been finding so much inspiration in books lately! Maybe it’s my brain rebelling against all the work-related screen time, but lately I’ve been spending every spare moment in the studio poring over design books. One new favorite arrived at my door this week, just a few days before it’s official release! The Lonny Home is a coffee-table-worthy compendium of beautiful modern homes, and it’s been inspiring me to take a fresh look at my own decor choices at home.

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Filed Under: Behind the Scenes

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A textile designer’s journal

Welcome! I'm Erin Dollar, the textile designer behind Cotton & Flax. I create patterned home decor that's rooted in creative exploration.

Here I'll share peeks of my design process, creative inspirations, decor ideas, and more.

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A textile designer’s journal

Welcome! I'm Erin Dollar, the textile designer behind Cotton & Flax. Here I'll share peeks behind the scenes, recent inspirations, decor ideas, and more. Read More…

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