In this class, we take a fresh approach to building repeat patterns by stepping away from the usual floral motifs and exploring something a little more unexpected—fish! Across six focused lessons, you’ll learn how to construct a flowing, multi-directional pattern that works beautifully from any angle, making it especially useful for fabric design and surface pattern work. This class is all about thinking differently and building confidence in your layout skills.

We begin by developing a strong foundation using a simple “skeleton” method to map out movement and spacing before committing to final artwork. From there, you’ll refine your sketches, test your repeat, and gradually bring your design to life with inking, color, and detail. Along the way, you’ll see how small adjustments can dramatically improve the overall flow and balance of your pattern.

By the end of the class, you’ll not only have a completed repeat pattern, but also a reliable process you can reuse for countless other ideas—whether that’s sea life, leaves, or something entirely your own. This is a practical, hands-on class designed to help you think more clearly, work more efficiently, and enjoy the process from start to finish.

In This Class I'll Walk You Through

We’ll move step-by-step from a rough idea to a fully functioning repeat pattern. You’ll see how to plan your layout, test your design early, and avoid common mistakes that can slow you down later. I’ll also show you how to keep things flexible so you can make changes easily as your pattern evolves.