Many textile craft projects these days are portrayed as being super simple, easy as 1,2,3. I’ve read my fair share of sewing tutorials and gotten rather confused. Maybe because we are all so time poor we like to seek what will be quick. If I get told that the sewing project is quick, I wonder…
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We were delighted to sponsor fabric printing for the Holding Space Exhibition. The exhibition formed part of YIRRAMBOI Festival held in Melbourne. “A love letter to Cummeragunja and the Barmah Forest. Land holds memories of grief and joy, it tells our stories of resilience and love.” This sentence informed the motivation and preceding works of…
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Fashion is fearless for rising talent Ella Atkins When designs by Ella Atkins first rolled across the printers we all observed in awe at how meticulous the placement print was, requiring technical talent on multiple levels from design, pattern making and construction. Equally impressive was the bold chaotic and colourful prints of leopard, studs, whips…
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Make a Bag of Scraps Free PDF Tote Pattern Download Our Bag of Scraps free PDF tote pattern download is the perfect weekend project to use up all those cute little offcuts that you just can’t part with. There were a few important features when were designing the Bag of Scraps pattern. A nice big…
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Celebrating New Zealand Fabric Designers It is such a thrill for us at Next State to offer services for fabric printing New Zealand. We can custom print your design or you can select an Artwork from our library and print it on any of our fabrics. As an Australian printer we are able to print…
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Essential Dressing with a Satin Scarf Artwork “By Halves” From artist Ellen McKenna It’s hard to comprehend a more timeless and essential accessory than a satin scarf. Transforming the everyday outfit into a statement look, a scarf collection is often the saviour of the day when running out the door in a rush with the…
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Introducing Kathryn Shaw of Rattamatatt. Mother of three, slow fashion entrepreneur, champion of custom fabric printing, content creator and creative all rounder Kathryn is the designer, sewer and marketer of print based local fashion brand Rattamatatt. Kathryn is a heart warming example of a mother and a woman trying to find balance and keep the…
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Ellen McKenna is a featured designer in the Next State Artwork Library. Ellen McKenna is a Melbourne based artist creating colourful and playful fabric designs. We sat down with her to chat about the evolution of her style and where she’s headed in 2024. What is exciting you about design in 2024? I’m always excited about…
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This International Women’s Day we wanted to highlight the contribution Rachael King has made to women in surface design Creating Experience Rachael King has worked in creative industry for decades, pivoting her career along the way and honing her craft. Rachael is an example of the variety of careers and growth creative woman can undertake….
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Transform Paintings to Fabric When creating a painting for fabric there are a few things you can do to make the process go smoother and get you to the best outcome possible. I have given you some advise on what to consider when planning an artwork that is intended to be a repeating (yardage) textile…
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Festive Textiles We’ve been making up Christmas decorations (tis the season) and love the way fabric can be used to create a festive energy. Textiles make wonderful decorations because you can easily clean them, they pack up small, last for years and timeless design never dates! So you should plan to get many years and…
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WELCOMINGIVY HELENA TO OUR ARTWORK LIBRARY Ivy Helena is on a mission to to create beautiful designs that inspire and share more positivity in the world. We think Ivy Helena is doing a bang up job of this! Combining her life experiences in wellbeing and mentoring Ivy’s surface art, projects a sense of joy and…
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Festive Printing With the festive season just around the corner we’ve got a wonderful collection of Artworks to suit your Christmas aesthetic. Print your favourite Christmas design by the meter on any of our fabrics. Get creative and make Christmas décor a Santa Sack or perhaps a Christmas bandana for you pup! Modern Australian Christmas…
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Sustainable Decorating your house this Christmas with these great sustainable projects. Printed Christmas Trees Print the Christmas tree and save yourself the hassle of the watering, decorating and not to mention storing. Once the festive season has wound up, roll up the print ready for next year. Fabric Garlands Create a fabric garland using remnants…
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We interview Fleur Harris about print design and family life
Our carefully developed Mesh has a beautiful body and weight it leans into being a statement fashion dress with layering and drape while sewn into a basic top the print brings all the drama. Mesh is having a fashion moment right now. For any of us that spent our formative years growing up in the…
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The Process of Ethical Manufacturing The ethical manufacturing of a single product passes through many if not hundreds of hands. As discerning businesses and consumers we are increasingly asking whose hands made my product. Where was the cotton picked, how was the yarn spun and who wove the textile. Transparency in manufacturing is often linked…
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Nambour Fashion gets a refresh The Sunshine Coat Project is a collaborative exhibition between Ketakii Jewson-Brown and Shaye Hardisty which sees coats being made using slow fashion methodology, digital printing, recycled, organic and gifted textiles. Ketakii and Shaye dive deep into the layers of place, memory, belonging, fashion, and Nambour. It is essentially a love…
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Bohemian fabric prints and fashion stying align with the underpinning lifestyle of freedom of spirit. Flowing silhouettes and folkloric imagery are mixed with layers of texture and physical decoration. In homewares we see bohemian styling with detailed prints on lush fabrics constructed with fringed edges. In fashion a dress will be panelled together with multiple…
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We created this DIY bucket hat using off-cuts from our Remnants Box. The outside and the lining of the hat were recreated into a new textile with blue dye and a few rubber bands. A little bit of fabric can go along way into the creation of something new and useful. Each one of our…
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In celebration of Megans Christmas print collection we wanted to learn more about Megan and how her young family celebrates Christmas. With a young family and a baby on the way, how will you spend Megans Christmas this year? We’re spreading out the family visits over a few days instead of trying to cram it…
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Christmas is one of those occasions that is all encompassing of the senses. Pine and cinnamon fill the air while glittering lights and ornaments delight the eyes. There is so much to love about Christmas as a designer, the colours, textures, vast interpretations of the occasion from a bush Christmas to a snow peaked terrain….
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We love printing and working alongside the next generation of talents from fashion school and textile talents. We understand the importance of industry collaboration as part of education and love working with the different fashion school across Australia. One of our collaborations is with North Metropolitan TAFE in WA. Anna Kotai and Daren Mok reached…
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Cecilia Mok fabric is a celebrated artist and surface designer, her prints represent the whimsical and natural world. Cecilias work has a narrative and tells stories through movement, colour and illustration. A print may tell a magical story of musical mermaids deep below the ocean surface or evoke the smell of spring blooms and the…
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We are so thrilled to launch our VIP program, NS Print Club. Eight years ago husband and wife duo Geoff and Chole started Next State from a little factory in Abbotsford, Melbourne. Careful progression and growth has seen Next State build a wonderful small team of textile wizards and a fleet of digital textile printers….
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Globally the development of fibres and yarns is a very exciting world to discover. New technology and innovation in response to the environmental and ethical concerns of the textile and fashion industry is shaping new ways of working. Take 5 minutes and learn about recycled cotton A sustainable thought process is at the forefront on…
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“Hello colour Lover!” The fine words of Mik, aka World of Mik, that feel like a warm embrace to us print tragics. Mik hails from Adelaide where she spends her time in her creative practice and mum to three kids. Mik has long been a treasured addition to our Artwork library and a designer that…
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We are thrilled to introduce our Remnant Box they are made up form offcuts of our fabrics. When we load a new fabric onto a printer for printing it causes a bit of waste at the start, as we tension fabric through the machine. Prior to printing we do a print check to ensure quality,…
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The term Retro summons up imagery of styles from our recent past. As we left behind antiques and ornate decorations post industrial revolution, design in the 50s-70s became more focused on colour palettes and bold shapes. When I think of Retro, bright colours of oranges and reds mixed with acid greens comes to mind. Often…
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Eloise Short is a hero of the modern Australian floral. She creates intricate and colourful designs inspired by her life in the Blue Mountains. Eloise’s skills in painting and design composition are undeniably remarkable. Eloise demonstrates how design can be used to draw attention to nature and the unique beauty of the nation. This in…
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Ellen McKenna is a multifaceted creative spanning design across textiles, surface, homewares and painting. She is represented by the legends at Bluethumb Art Gallery who champion independent artists. Ellen recently held a solo exhibition “Feeling Colours.” As part of the exhibition Ellen created an interactive “Community Pattern” which is now available for printing through of…
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Estelle Michaelides the founder of evolutionary label Micky in the Van has taken time form her busy creative life to instil us with wisdom gained on her design journey. We learn a lot about design, design methods and and the formalisation of the creative process. Concept, create, evaluate and test are key focal points in…
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Cold and frosty nights met with sparkling sun in the morning make this time of year prime mushroom season for the South of Australia. They start popping up everywhere, multitudes of mushies are in the garden and forest walks. Foragers delight is picking pine mushrooms with mouths watering, thinking about them sautéed in butter. Mushrooms…
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Kathryn Shaw of local label Rattamatatt has been slowly developing timeless garments, building her business from a side project to a full time job. A refreshing story for many creatives who are working out how to make passion a career. Katheryn is a delight to work with, she has great knowledge and experience in the…
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We are thrilled to welcome the talented Eugenia Tsimiklis to our Artwork Library. Eugenia is a professional textile designer who’s work spans across commercial projects for a variety of clients and professional education. She blends hand illustration with digital platforms to create her intricate, nature inspired designs. Eugenia is one of those creatives who enjoys…
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Summer is here and we are venturing out on more social occasions after a lengthy “stay home,” we need not mention why! If we are going out let’s make it cheery and bright. We’ve seen a beautiful and positive response to hard times with artists and designers creating bright, abstract and uplifting patterns. This is…
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We were first introduced to Shelley when our printed Como fabric appeared in our Instagram feed looking enviable in a garment. The delightful Shelley has been sharing her experiences via social media as she explores the process of designing her own fabric and tailoring her own clothing. Shelley has created outfits that make us gasp…
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Julie Harrison of Pattern Play Studio is one of the talented designers featured in our Artwork Library. Julie is a multi disciplined designer who works across platforms of surface design. As a professionally trained graphic designer with years of experience under her belt she has kindly given us a glimpse into her work flow of…
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It’s no wonder our feathered friends with their brightly coloured plumage, iconic identities and majestic forms are a source of print inspiration. Birds are as complex and varied in personality as people, loud and confident birds, parading flashy feathers and wings are contrasted by small, agile and delicate creatures. The inspiration for birds in prints…
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In the word of open source and multi-platform design there is a variety of program options for budgets and skill sets Adobe The all powerful design combination of Photoshop and Illustrator are the premium tools for textile design. Initially seeming like a huge mountain to climb when learning the software, they are as vast as…
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Multidisciplinary creative Katie Weychardt of Katie Makes a Dress, recently sewed up some Pyjamas using our Organic Classic Cotton and took a few pics. During this process we were thrilled to learn more about Katie and how she came to be such a versatile creative. Katie exudes style and honesty, her clothing brand is produced…
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Our oceans and seas are a rich source for print inspiration. They are an all encompassing sensory experience. The atmosphere, colour and diversity provide boundless opportunities for design exploration Into the blue on a hot afternoon as the sun begins to set over the water, cool waves lapping slowly at your elbows, your feet fall…
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I first meet Ally of Coloured Space Design four years ago when she came to Next State to print her paintings depicting the north shore of Sydney. At the time I was drawn to Ally’s work for it’s depth, texture and complexity of techniques used. Ally combines all the best elements of textile design by…
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Images are an ongoing asset required for print design and we are often asked about how to source images that can be used. There are a few key things you want to consider. Firstly, the best image you can use is an original photo you’ve taken. However, the reality where you need an image of…
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We are thrilled to have a collection of prints designed by the talented Lily Fink available in the Artwork Library. Lily has created a collection of prints that pair back together in the most considered way, presenting earthy colours and organic shapes. We chatted with Lily to find out more about her experiences and inspirations…
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Keneena wearing one of her dresses from “The Eyes On Me” collection These Pretzels Print Dress Saying I’m a huge fan of Keneena from the Kablooie Store is an understatement. Her bold, unique and colourful designs adorn classic silhouettes and easy to wear garment making us feel uplifted and happy. I can guarantee you are…
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Fashion in signature collections is selling your take on style and designing what you love and want to wear. Esther Sandler goes to the next level not only designing stunning collectible textiles, fashion and ceramics, she creates the surface design based on things that bring her joy. Her message in design is one deeper than…
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The need to create and be creative runs in the family for sisters Jess and Rebecca of Jej and Boc. Growing up painting alongside their artist mother and grandmother, Jess and Rebecca draw creative inspiration from their upbringing in Zimbabwe. Jej and Boc present their debut collection by bringing their childhood influences to us, with…
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Creating a Test File At Next State you can print a 20cm x 20cm sample of an artwork to test via our Fabric Creator. However if you have a few prints to sample it can be more economical to do a one meter tester. You can experiment by printing different artwork across the fabric to…
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Working with a colour chart is a system to control the printed outcome of a design. You can select a colour from a printed chart, then using the RGB colour values apply them into a digital file. This process takes into account the way a colour will print onto a textile and not just the…
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KarlaCola the brand by Adelaide designer Karla Schumann presents pattern-based collections with a core focus of celebrating colour. As a self-described colour lover Karla brings emotional and wearable hues, shades, tints and tones to the forefront of her design. Karla designs with print and colour to uplift the senses and bring joy into our everyday…
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Applying a signature look to your designs is both a powerful and identifiable element. We have seen this done with great success by the likes of renowned designers such as William Morris, Jenny Kee and Emilio Pucci. It is without doubt, Ellen has successfully honed in on a modernist aesthetic featuring textured line works, abstract…
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Julie Harrison is the founder of Pattern Play Studio based out of Brisbane. She has a graphic, playful and floral aesthetic to her print designs. There is innocence to the colour pallets, motifs, and techniques Julie uses to create the patterns. A combination of which creates designs that are uplifting, well balanced and evoke a…
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Using digital printing we can replicate images that use thousands of colours and create sharp, detailed textile designs. However, the colours you see in a digital file on your computer screen are not always how they will translate to a textile. Your computer or tablet is presenting colour to you in an illuminated source, it…
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Our good friend Emily Wills from SURFACE 1°22 has created a specialised course simplifying and demystifying the textile and surface pattern design process. In todays design world we are expected to have multi-faceted capabilities to design across different platforms and product ranges, whether it be a textile concept for a hotel or a swimwear collection….
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Blue colour combinations will always have great commercial value in fashion and interior textiles. A blue palette is fresh yet classic. Next State design on Alma linen Next State design on Alma linen Blue as a colour has a rich and varied history not only in how its created but also the meaning that we associate…
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Gouache, pronounced gwaash, is often referred to as opaque watercolour and is the ideal paint choice for textile designers when generating artwork for print design. It consists of pigment, water and a binding agent. Gouache is designed to be used as an opaque painting method, but has the versatility to be watered down to desaturate…
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Vivid contrasts and striking combinations make striped patterns a delight for the eye. Stripes enhance the visual impact of a silhouette and mixing widths and colours adds vibrant dynamism. Bold stripes are a classic design and when paired with a textured fabric like our lovely Alma Linen, the simplicity of directional lines really comes alive….
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We were recently thrilled to work with talented designer and recent graduate Grace Alateras. Her bold aesthetic and print designs caught our attention in 2016 as Grace was developing her collection for a salon fashion show. A true creative, Grace demonstrates unique print design that is not only striking but speaks about commercial influences in…
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Here at Next State, we are really excited to be printing for a cause. We recently worked on a great collaboration with Iconic Australian clothing label Obus and The Unicorn foundation. The Unicorn Foundation is the only Australian not-for-profit medical charity focused on neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Limited edition cotton canvas totes with an Obus exclusive…
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We are delighted to introduce our NEW Organic Cotton Canvas. A wonderfully durable and versatile fabric, the organic canvas has a beautiful natural oatmeal colour and subtle flecking through the textile. There is no denying that textiles make an impact on our environment. Organic cotton is usually defined by growing cotton without the aid of…
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1. BLANK PIXELS IN A REPEAT TILE When creating a tile for repeat ensuring the tile is properly framed or cropped is super important. In Illustrator you can often export a file for print and have a band of empty pixels running along one of the sides of the tile. Although small this translates to…
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I love seeing a fashion image you just can’t look away from. This stunning Dolce & Gabbana end of show image rolled across my computer screen and it had to be shared. How good does Summer 2016 look? The vintage throwback, exotic Italian destination posters, combined with carefully placed pop embellishments kept my eyes glued…
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Rebecca Foulson for Next State, looks back at London Fashion week London Fashion Week may be over, but we are still obsessing over the large array of beautiful prints that graced the runways. There is everything from 1980s soft pop to tropical foliage and vintage florals. Below are our top four designer Spring/Summer 2016 collections:…
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Bold and interesting prints were all over the runways of New York Fashion Week, as designers showcased their Spring/Summer 2016 collections. There were a range of trends shown; from eighties inspired conversation prints at Libertine and Ground Zero, to art deco motifs at Rachel Zoe, Geometric prints at J. Mendel, and even Japanese Giesha designs…
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There is so much you can achieve with digitally printing textiles. Including a huge variety of colours, intricate detail, beautiful photographic translations of texture and contrasts. The scale of artwork is restricted to the width of the fabric only and you can design incredible placement prints weather for a dress or a pair of curtains….
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A placement or engineered print is the controlled position of an artwork within a product. Different to a repeat print, which features continuous tiling of artwork. A placement print relies on artwork done to the scale of a product and then being cut in a particular position to control the placement of a print. In…
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Pixels Per inch (PPI) refers to the number of pixels contained in a linear inch of a digital image file. Dots Per Inch (DPI) Refers to how many dots of ink are dropped down in the printing of a file. Often the two terminologies are interchanged; in conversation around file creation PPI is still called…
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There are different styles of creating repeat prints, but all are designed to seamlessly repeat and artwork along a length. In some repeats you can clearly see where the “tile” of artwork is and in some it is nearly impossible to decipher the intertwining elements of the print. Depending on the end use of the…
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Creating So you are ready to start a new artwork? File > New… STOP! Before you go any further, make sure you are creating a file that is RGB and 300ppi to achieve the best result for digital textile printing. See below the new document setup for a file in Photoshop: See below the new…
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We often hear about colour modes and what we should use when creating artwork for different purposes. Even more so, when creating a new document we are asked to select a colour mode or to accept the the default, (it’s too easy to just press ‘OK’ and move on!) Creating a new environment for our file…
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