Manage Your Life

Friday, November 27, 2009

Custom Work: Fabric you design yourself, printed by pros

Photo Credit: Bonbonkakku

Photo Credit: Bonbonkakku

What with the recent spate of print-it-yourself books, the explosion of Gocco fan clubs, and the resurgence of craftiness in general, it can seem like the perfect time to take on making your own printed fabrics. And it is—if you want to add a few one-color repeat patterns to a solid background. If, however, your aspirations are a little loftier, you might need some assistance. Finnish web site Bon Bon Kakku can take the manufacturing work off your hands, leaving you to focus on the purely creative part. The only catch? Your design has to be good. The site runs a monthly contest for new fabric designs; submissions are judged by online votes, and the winners are put into production and sold in the site's online shop (25 Euros per meter). In addition to having their ideas turned into honest-to-goodness products, winners also get free fabric, and shoppers/voters can sign up to be alerted when a pattern they like goes up for sale. Click through the slide show at the bottom of this post to see some of the styles currently on offer. It's pretty amazing stuff, if you ask me. Which one(s) would you vote for? [via Dwell]
Photo Credit: Bonbonkakku

Photo Credit: Bonbonkakku


Other fabric fun on Shine:
A tablecloth embroidered with a dinner-party-settings lesson
Would you let your kids scribble on the upholstery? This lady did.
At-home fabric dyeing 101


    • Karkkikukka5
    • Karkkikukka5
    • Cordozar
    • Geometric grey cat
    • Floral
    • Viettelys
    • Feel in red and black
photo 1 of 10

Karkkikukka5

The template version of Borneo DaDa's Karkkikukka5.

http://bonbonkakku.com/
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 13
  • CaRoLyN cLaRk, Serendipity & Spark's Avatar
    Posted by CaRoLyN cLaRk, Serendipity & Spark Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:14am PDT

    this made my day!!

    -carolyn

    www.serendipityandspark.com

    Report Abuse
  • jen's Avatar
    Posted by jen Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:44am PDT

    Love it!

    Report Abuse
  • Andygirl's Avatar
    Posted by Andygirl Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:01am PDT

    I like 9 the best!

    Report Abuse
  • Jan, Poppytalk's Avatar
    Posted by Jan, Poppytalk Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:05pm PDT

    how cool. i love the color combo in No. 5!

    Report Abuse
  • Mom of Two's Avatar
    Posted by Mom of Two Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:39pm PDT

    I like #6, but then I'm partial to green.

    Report Abuse
  • ~Hot Girl~'s Avatar
    Posted by ~Hot Girl~ Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:39pm PDT

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

    is fantastic I love it so much..

    I hope some day I do that (insh'allah)...

    Thanks a lot.

    Report Abuse
  • OrientalChina's Avatar
    Posted by OrientalChina Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:54pm PDT

    http://www.orientalboutique.cn/

    Report Abuse
  • OrientalChina's Avatar
    Posted by OrientalChina Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:54pm PDT

    http://www.orientalboutique.cn/

    Report Abuse
  • Mush's Avatar
    Posted by Mush Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:52am PDT

    I vote for all of them! I love this idea and wan't to submit a design of my own ASAP...however, Bon Bon Kakku dosen't design or ship to anyone outside the European Union. Hopefully....they will change this soon!

    http://GoldieDesigns.etsy.com

    Report Abuse
  • Michelle B's Avatar
    Posted by Michelle B Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:52pm PDT

    It really is a bummer that you can't buy it unless you live in Europe (according to the website). There is a USA beta version here in the states called www.spoonflower.com. However, there is a waiting list to participate. Both sites offer great designs! Can't wait to participate :)

    Report Abuse
Comments 1-10 of 13

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