My last project used 37 different fabric samples

I was putting together a mood board for a fall collection and just kept adding swatches. When I counted them all, it was 37 pieces from my sample library. I guess I got carried away looking for the right mix of textures, you know? There were four kinds of wool, some heavy linens, and even a piece of waxed canvas I found at a store in Chicago last year. It felt like too much at first, but seeing them all laid out actually helped me spot a color story I would have missed. Now I'm thinking about making a rule to limit my initial pulls, but part of me likes the messy start. Does anyone else end up with a huge pile of samples before you even start sketching?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancygrant25d ago

@joelh64 hit it right with creative clutter. I keep a box of random trims and odd samples just for that reason, you never know when a weird piece of grosgrain ribbon will tie everything together. 37 is a lot but if the waxed canvas made the cut then the mess worked. I say keep the messy start, you can always edit down later.

joelh641mo ago

I read an interview once where a designer said her best work came from having too many options at first. She called it creative clutter. Limiting yourself too early might cut off a good idea you didn't see coming. That waxed canvas piece sounds like it could be a cool unexpected detail. Sometimes you need to see everything to know what you really don't need.

kelly_west741mo ago

Wow, 37 is a lot! But if it helped you find the color story, was it really a waste of time? Maybe the messy start is just part of your real process.