Tutorial to Create a Pattern on Fabric in Photoshop

Preview:Step 1:

Right, to start off, CRTL+N to open a new document. I’ve made it square and quite big (600×600). If you are final out put is for the web, then the resolution should be 72.

Step 2:

Our first job is to fill the canvas with 50% grey. We do this by hitting SHIFT+F5 and choosing ‘50% grey’ from the ‘Use’ menu.

Step 3:

Go Filter->Noise->Add Noise. This breaks up the smooth grey and gives us something to work with. You don’t need much, here I used just 5%.

Step 4:

Now for the good part. Go Filter->Texture->Texturizer. Here you can change lots of parameters like the texture to use, scale, relief and light. The best thing to do is experiment and use your eyes to see what you like.

Step 5:

Now that we have the basic fabric texture, we need to color it. CRTL+U to open the Hue/Saturation screen, check the ‘colorize’ button, and experiment by moving the sliders for Hue, Saturation and lightness. When you have found the color you like, click ok.

Step 6:

For the pattern, we are going to use a custom shape that will turn into a path. SHIFT+U to cycle through the different shape tools until you have the custom shape selected. At the top of the screen some options will appear. We need to select the ‘path’ option (second icon from the left). Now click the drop down menu next to ’shape’. There you will shape loads of different types of shape. Click the one you like.

Step 7:

Just before we draw the shape, CRTL+R to make sure the rulers are visible to the left and at the top of the canvas. Now there is a good chance that the layer will be locked (is there a black padlock next to it?). That’s no good for what we are about to do, so drag the layer on the layer panel down to the ‘Create new layer’ icon. Now we have two layers the same. Delete the bottom layer with the padlock. One the layer we have left, hit CRTL+T to activate transform mode (we couldn’t do this on a locked layer). You will see that there appears some handlebars around the image. Drag from the left ruler a guide line and position it over the center handlebars. Now do the same from the top ruler:

Step 8:

Now drag out your shape, holding the SHIFT key to maintain the aspect ratio. CRTL+T again and position the shape in the dead center:

Step 9:

Ok, that done, click the paths panel and CRTL+click the work path thumbnail to create a selection.

Step 10:

Now make a new layer and SHIFT+F5 and fill with 50% grey.

Step 11:

As before, CRTL+U to give it the color you desire.

Step 12:

Now here’s a good trick: change the blend mode to Overlay. This allows us to see through to the layer below:

Step 13:

To make the pattern repeat, hit ‘V’ for the move tool and ALT+drag the shape up to the top of the canvas. You will see you have created a new layer copy. CRTL+T to enter transform mode and position it like this:

Step 14:

Repeat for the bottom:

Step 15:

So now you have three flowers on three layers. Good. Make sure the top layer is selected in blue, then CRTL+E two times to merge the three layers into one. Now you can repeat the same copying and moving procedure. First to the right:

Step 16:

And then to the left. CRTL+E again to merge these new layers Now we have a pattern that will repeat itself.

Step 17:

Let’s add some more color. First, I have added more guide lines outlining the flowers. Then hit ‘M’ for the Marquee tool and drag it out to make a selection like this:

Step 18:

Go Selection->Transform Selection and from the options at the top of the screen reduce the height %.

Step 19:

Fill with 50% grey again and give it a color as before.

Step 20:

Here we have changed the blend mode to Overlay again. You can also see that I have merged the background fabric with the flowers.

Step 21:

As a last touch to the texture, go Filter->Blur->motion blur and give it these values:

Step 22:

And here’s the finished textile texture. What you can do now is go Edit->Define pattern and you will have it to use whenever you want, you just need to bring up the Fill screen and choose ‘pattern’ from the drop down menu, then look for your pattern. But let’s take this a bit further.

Step 23:

Did you know that you can use the clone tool and two open images at the same time? Here’s a very quick example. Open a photo you have of some kind of fabric. Hit ‘S’ to activate the clone tool and ALT click on the center of your texture. Now position your mouse cursor over the newly opened photo and paint wherever you want the texture to go. DON’T forget to first make a new layer on your photo!

Step 24:

As a last step, change the blend mode to ‘Soft Light’. There, a very easy way of creating textures in Photoshop and implementing them into your photos.