There are many different types of seamless patterns in textile design, but I’ll walk you through the steps for creating the three most popular: straight drop, half drop, and brick, plus 3 more other types of seamless patterns.
As you see on YouTube, you can find many tutorials on how to make seamless patterns. From basic repeated patterns to more complexion seamless patterns. I have experimented in many ways to follow the steps. To be honest, it was hard to follow when I first time learn about the pattern design. However, I went through keep practicing the new skills and getting more confident to make a seamless pattern. Of course, I attended some courses on Skillshare. That makes more in-depth knowledge than YouTube.
My best tutorials are Cat Coq and Liz Kohler Brown courses. Thanks to them I get more inspired and I can share my learnings. I recommend the Skillshare courses if you are serious learn and sell your artwork or design on the marketplace. It was worth my investment to expand my business.
You can get a 1-month free trial on Skillshare when you join the link here.
Disclosure: A few of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that I have experience with all of these resources, and I recommend them because I trust the product. So, let’s dive in!
Most popular types of seamless pattern
Straight or Full Drop Seamless Pattern
A straight drop repeat is a simple and common pattern repeat that is perfect for wallpaper, fabrics, and other products. For example, I used this technic on Procreate to make a seamless pattern for my favorite stickers last year. I create most of the full pattern blocks in Photoshop because of more control over color balance and bigger sizes for my Society6 and Redbubble shop.
Here’s how to create it:
Step 1: Create a new document in your design software, with the size you want your pattern to be. it can be Procreate, Photoshop, or adobe illustrator, whichever you are comfortable with. In my case, I usually use Photoshop and Procreate to make my pattern design.
Step 2: Create your pattern design in the top left corner of your document.
Step 3: Copy your design and paste it directly below the original design, lining it up perfectly.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 until you have filled the entire row.
Step 5: Select all of the rows and copy them to the right side of the original design, lining them up perfectly.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 until you have filled the entire document.
Half Drop Repeat
A half-drop repeat is a popular pattern repeat that creates an offset or staggered look.
Here’s how to create it:
Step 1: Create a new document in your design software, with the size you want your pattern to be.
Step 2: Create your pattern design in the top left corner of your document.
Step 3: Copy your design and paste it directly below the original design, but move it to the right by half the width of the design.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 until you have filled the entire row.
Step 5: Select all of the rows and copy them to the right side of the original design, but move them down by half the height of the design and to the right by half the width of the design.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 until you have filled the entire document.
Brick Repeat
A brick repeat is another popular pattern repeat that creates an offset or staggered look, but this time it’s more structured and resembles a brick wall.
Here’s how to create it:
Step 1: Create a new document in your design software, with the size you want your pattern to be.
Step 2: Create your pattern design in the top left corner of your document.
Step 3: Copy your design and paste it directly below the original design, but move it to the right by the width of the design.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 until you have filled the entire row.
Step 5: Select all of the rows and copy them to the right side of the original design, but move them down by half the height of the design and to the right by half the width of the design.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 until you have filled the entire document.
Mirror Repeat
A mirror repeat is a pattern that is mirrored or flipped along a vertical or horizontal axis.
Here’s how to create it:
Step 1: Create a new document in your design software, with the size you want your pattern to be.
Step 2: Create your pattern design in the top left corner of your document.
Step 3: Copy your design and paste it directly next to the original design, but flip it horizontally or vertically.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 until you have filled the entire row.
Step 5: Select all of the rows and copy them to the bottom of the original design, but flip them horizontally or vertically.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 until you have filled the entire document.
Grid Repeat
A grid repeat is a pattern that is created by repeating a design in a grid-like formation. For example, I used this technic with an offset function to make a polka-dot pattern in Photoshop
Here’s how to create it:
Step 1: Create a new document in your design software, with the size you want your pattern to be.
Step 2: Create your pattern design in the top left corner of your document.
Step 3: Copy your design and paste it directly below the original design, lining it up perfectly.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 until you have filled the entire column.
Step 5: Select all of the columns and copy them to the right of the original design, lining them up perfectly.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 until you have filled the entire document.
Diamond Repeat
A diamond repeat is a pattern that is created by repeating a design in a diamond-shaped formation.
Here’s how to create it:
Step 1: Create a new document in your design software, with the size you want your pattern to be.
Step 2: Create your pattern design in the top left corner of your document.
Step 3: Copy your design and paste it directly below the original design, but move it to the right by half the width of the design.
Step 4: Rotate the copied design 90 degrees.
Step 5: Repeat step 3 and 4 until you have filled the entire row.
Step 6: Select all of the rows and copy them to the bottom of the original design, but move them down by half the height of the design.
Step 7: Repeat step 3 to 6 until you have filled the entire document.
These are the basic steps for creating the most popular pattern repeats. You can experiment with different design elements, colors, and layouts to create unique patterns that suit your specific needs.
I have explained just a few examples of pattern repeats I use these technics often. However there are many other types, and you can combine these techniques to create even more complex patterns.
Remember! Keep practicing and experimenting to get more confident to create beautiful patterns.
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