New website for The Needle Shop

This has been a fun week, work-wise—I finalized logos and business cards for a few different clients, plus two websites that I designed went live. There's nothing as satisfying as finishing things.

One of the finished things is a revamped website for The Needle Shop, Chicago's DIY sewing school and fabric store in Bucktown. While mulling over the initial design concepts, store owner Rachel Epperson had the brilliant idea of commissioning Ward Nipper to produce some custom illustrations for the site. (Ward often draws elegant, bare-chested ladies like these, but since The Needle Shop is in the business of selling fabric, we agreed it would be counterproductive and a tad too racy to start a shirtless trend.)

My favorite thing on the site? This ottoman. It's my Frond print. So meta: I sketched out that design, digitized it, had it printed on fabric, which was made into an ottoman, which was digitally photographed, sketched by Ward, then digitized again, colored, and ultimately uploaded to the internet. Next, maybe I will make a drawing of my computer monitor displaying this post, then scan that and email it back to Rachel.

Zak Hardage, coder extraordinaire, programmed the new Needle Shop site in Shopify, and Rachel spent a zillion hours loading it up with delicious fabrics, books and patterns for us. Enjoy!

Fabric sighting at Decaf Plush

Whew. The last couple days have been a whirlwind of client revisions and crazy deadlines. My poor blog collects dust when graphic design jobs take precedent. But I did want to pop in to share something that made me happy recently. Decaf Plush, a company that makes appliqued cushions and children's clothing, is using Outside Oslo in their fall line! It's fun to see home dec fabric used for dresses. Maybe I need to make myself a skirt— minus the applique. (Or better yet, cajole Mum into making it for me...)

Fabric sighting on a chair makeover

Check out Beth's awesome Danish Craigslist chair, newly reupholstered in my Sticks print. A perfect combo! See the before and after at After the Dust Clears.

Designing necktie ribbon

I work full time as a graphic designer, and usually that means creating logos, brochures, business cards, websites, and other marketing materials for companies. But sometimes ribbon or textile projects come along—always a fun diversion. One example is this custom ribbon for Bella Bark and Meow. The company requested designs that resemble neckties, and after whittling down a pile of options, here's the final result. If your pooch studies at an Ivy League university, leads board meetings or plans to run for office, these are just the thing. Find these preppy dog collars here.

Outside Oslo sightings on Etsy

Sometimes I like to peek at Etsy.com and see what people are making with my fabrics. It cheers me up when I'm bored or procrastinating— it's like eating a piece of chocolate cake, only with zero calories. Here are some fun goodies I've turned up, clockwise: Pillow, pouch, dress, tote, pillow, clutch, bench, lamp shade, stool.

Or if you can sew, you can get the fabric right here and whip up your own stuff.

Meet my Two Zip Hipster

My Mum sewed up another of Erin Erickson's Hipster bags, this time in the Dusk colorway of my Sticks fabric. It features orange zippers requested by moi. The strap on the bag is adjustable so you can carry it over your shoulder or across your torso.

See? All my orange stuff fits in it. Notebook, calendar (yep, I'm old school like that), and my iPad. (P.S. If you need this orange iPad wallpaper, grab it here.)

This baby is going everywhere with me. Thank you, Mum!

Printable bottle gift tags

After a day of traveling yesterday, I'm popping in for a minute to wish you guys a merry Christmas! I'm taking a blogging break until the new year, but wanted to share something I whipped up. If you plan to give any bottles of wine, champagne, or other festive drinks as gifts, maybe you could use some gift tags.

Download the PDF here, print it at 100%, cut out the tags, and slip them onto your bottles for instant fanciness. (I've also posted an alternate 2012 new year's design on my portfolio site.)

Have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year, everyone!

Meet my new portfolio website

I'm pleased to announce that my new-and-improved portfolio website is up and running! Blogging here at How About Orange is a fun side project, but the majority of my work is graphic design for businesses: logos, brochures, various sorts of marketing materials. My old site was tricky for me to update since I don't know much about coding, and it needed to be more informative for prospective clients.

The new site is built by Wordpress guru Jenn de la Fuente of Rosebud Designs. I shopped around a bit for someone to build this, and Jenn really impressed me with her skills and responsiveness. She transformed my Photoshop layouts into a website that's super easy to update. I can change any of the content whenever I want— add new case studies, more work samples, switch out text, insert pictures of kittens, anything I feel like. Jenn gives clients a demo over the phone plus a manual for how to use their new site. All I have to do is follow the clear directions, and I'm not even worried I'm going to break anything or make it explode. She's fantastic to work with, so if you're looking for someone to build a website for you, hire Jenn. (But not too many of you, or she'll get too busy and I won't be able to book her for future projects.)

Outside Oslo is available laminated!

Ooo, shiny. My entire home dec line for The Needle Shop now comes in a laminated version. Look at these makeup bags made by Rachel Epperson, the shop's owner. And how about this plump little boxy pouch?

This stuff is perfect for wipeable placemats, seat covers, play mats, and designer Slip 'N Slides. If you need a Christmas present for a sewist, consider a laminated fat quarter bundle and a copy of Sewing With Oilcloth.

Where can you get your hands on some yardage or goods made from Outside Oslo? Some options for you:

Online in Rachel's new Outside Oslo shop — Get fabric (both laminated and regular), as well as products made from the stuff. Totes, pillows, coin purses, placemats, and more. Any of the products can be made in the fabric of your choice.

At the Chicago Renegade Holiday Fair this weekend — Ms. Epperson will man a booth full of fabric and products so you can stock up on Christmas presents. I'm planning to hang around for a bit on Saturday and drool on her merchandise. Stop by and say hi!

At The Needle Shop store — Chicagoans, get hip fabrics, patterns, and sewing notions here. Or visit the online shop.

Fall desktop wallpaper freebie

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm signing off for the week but leaving you with some leaf-themed desktop wallpaper in honor of the holiday. I like functional wallpapers that make it easy to find files, so this is a simple one. Download a 2560 x 1600 file right here. Enjoy your weekend!

(Artwork is not for commercial use or purposes other than personal desktop wallpaper.)

Pattern review: Bucket Bag

My mom, known to you guys as frequent commenter Grandma G, just finished sewing up a Bucket Bag from Keyka Lou's PDF pattern. She used Skiff in Dawn from my Outside Oslo fabric collection and lined the bag with some Artee cotton duck in Turquoise.

The pattern has an oval bottom, so it really is sort of like a bucket—a cute one with a big pocket on the outside and a nicely proportioned strap. Mum added a magnetic snap since a closure is always nice. And I love the button with its coordinating scallops.

My niece Courtney, who creatively modeled the bag after Mum finished it, stated that the fabric looks like trimmed fingernail bits. Excellent. Exactly the look I was going for.

Mum writes:
"It was a pleasure to sew a bag from a pattern that didn't have me tearing my hair out because it was so complicated! I really enjoyed making this bag. The instructions were very detailed, yet clear and easy to follow in a numbered, step-by-step format, with photos to illustrate every step.

I would highly recommend this pattern for anyone just beginning to make bags. It'll get you started in the right direction and you'll learn a lot about the bag-making process. I'd also recommend it for more experienced bag makers, just because it's easy and fun! And no matter your skill level, you'll end up with a very cute bag. I love the shape of it as well as just the overall look.

The next time I use this pattern, I'll probably add a pocket or two inside. Also, I might skip the darts on the outside pocket, because unless something is stuffed into those dart areas, they tend to have a dented/dimpled look (kinda like a bra that's not quite filled out, y'know?). I'd trim the pattern piece so that it remains the same shape, just minus the darts."

Purchase the Bucket Bag pattern right here, and check out other Keyka Lou designs here. All patterns are available for instant download, and most are a mere $5.00 through 11/27/11!

Ribbon sighting: more dog collars

I've always wondered what people make with ribbon. Now I'm starting to see where it all goes: around the necks of doggies! Some of my designs make an appearance at r.e. stowe on Etsy. Love these metal buckles.

Ribbon designs in action

Months ago Bella Bark and Meow commissioned some ribbon designs for use on their exclusive line of pet collars and matching leashes. The other day I took a peek at their website to see if they'd been manufactured and turned into finished products, and voilà!
My only question is whether or not I can buy this fellow. Look at that face.

When I contacted the company owner for permission to show these images, she agreed and added that if you mention my name, you can get 15% off your order. Sweet! Enter the code JJONES at checkout between now and Nov. 16th to get the deal.

Fabric sightings: clothing!

Thank you to those of you who have kindly reported spotting my fabric designs out and about. Since I license designs to other companies to print, I have no way of knowing which customers buy the finished yardage from them and make it into fabulous things. Like clothing—check out the adorable raincoats by Widgeon Kids at Zappos.

How about bridesmaid dresses? Here's some Outside Oslo in the shape of skirts, spotted in pictures of Molly and Patrick's wedding at Green Wedding Shoes. This photo is courtesy of Jeremy Lawson, a Chicago-area wedding and portrait photographer with an impressive body of work. (Need a photographer? Look him up!)

Fabric sighting at Mod Cloth

Speaking of lamps, helpful blog reader Rachel sent me a tip yesterday. Mod Cloth is selling a table lamp made with the Tulip print from my Outside Oslo fabric collection for The Needle Shop. So cute. And then of course they sucked me in and made me page through their billions of pretty dresses. Confound you, Mod Cloth!

I quickly found about 30 options that would coordinate with this lamp. So important when buying a dress, you know. It should coordinate with your lamp.

Make simple tote bags with The Purl Bee

Outside Oslo, the fabric line I designed for The Needle Shop, is now stocked at Purl Soho. A beautiful store in New York City, Purl Soho has an equally lovely blog that showcases projects made from the goodies they sell. Check out these Oslo tote bags that take just twenty minutes to whip up. Find a link to the instructions in The Purl Bee post right here.

Fabric sighting in Woman's World

A How About Orange operative emailed me a scan of a recent page in Woman's World magazine. There's my Fireworks fabric lounging on a sofa. Thanks, Amy! I've also heard of a Calliope sighting in HGTV's Sarah 101. It's like playing Where's Waldo, but with fabric.

Mum sewed me a travel bag!

Look what arrived in the mail yesterday! I'd begged my mom to sew me an Amy Butler Weekender Travel Bag made from the gray Tulip print in my new fabric line. I wanted the bag quite badly, but there was no way I was going to attempt that job myself. I'd read it's a doozy, and Mum concurred. But of course she did a flawless job. Look at that perfectly matched pattern on the front pocket. Oh my goodness. I'm in love.

The lining is the yellow Skiff print. She added three extra inches to the handles to make sure it would fit easily over the shoulder, which is perfect for me.

Now I just need to go somewhere.

What the heck is a skiff?

Images from Firehouse Pipes and The Columbus Dispatch

I've heard that a couple of the names I've given my fabric prints are mysterious, so here's a clarification. The print above is named Calliope. Not after the Greek muse of poetry, but after the musical instrument powered by steam. They were often housed in ornate wagons pulled by horses in circuses.

Renoir's "The Skiff" from Renoir Gallery and a wooden skiff from Lowell's Boat Shop

As for my Skiff print, it's a type of small boat. But if it pleases you to think of this design as a wink, a smile, an eyelash, or waves, go right ahead. If you're generally a grumpy sort, you can turn these upside down and think of them as frowns. But the light blue and yellow colors might be a little too peppy for that to be very convincing.

Outside Oslo is now available!

News! My new fabric line has just arrived at The Needle Shop and is available for purchase retail and wholesale. The bolts are eagerly standing by, holding their breath in hopes that some kind and discerning people like yourselves will give them a good home.


Guys, I'm in love with these. I can't even decide which is my favorite. I'm leaning toward the Wildflower print in Dawn, above, just because it contains maximum orange. But I think they're all delicious and one should not discriminate amongst one's children.

The set of six Dawn designs are printed on natural canvas, so the backgrounds are sort of a cream color and contain cool little cotton flecks. The Dusk designs are printed on crisp white.


Why is this collection named Outside Oslo, you ask? These prints have a bit of a mid-century vibe and look somewhat Scandinavian to me. Relatives on my mom's side of the family came from Norway. The prints are all named after things you might see on a nature walk somewhere outside a city, and I always adore alliteration. Thus, Outside Oslo.

Above is the complete Dawn colorway.

And above is the complete Dusk colorway.

You can now buy these from The Needle Shop online right here or in the store if you're in Chicago. For a list of stockists around the country, plus a few international shops, click here. And if you know of a store or manufacturer who might be interested in a wholesale order, send them here. I can't wait to see what people make with these!

Update: For some peeks at the fabric in action, see here.