Craftsman patterns feel timeless for a reason: they aren’t random.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how I use a simple grid system, symmetry, and flowing botanical shapes to build a Craftsman-inspired repeat pattern that works beautifully for fabric, wallpaper, and home decor.
Watch the Tutorial
This episode is part of my iPad Art Breaks series, where I share creative tutorials to help you build your style and make sellable artwork. Watch the full tutorial on YouTube, or keep reading below for the step-by-step process.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Read more on the Craftsman Style
- Get access to the Craftsman Layout Maker
- Free Affinity Designer 101 Course (+ Guidebook)
- Free Widgets (including Vectorizer and Recolorer)
- Explore The Studio Membership Free Trial
- How to Make Patterns Faster by Improving Your Workflow
- Watch: Faster Seamless Repeats in Procreate: False Half Drop Pattern
- Watch: Free Vectorizer and Recolorer Tutorial
HOW TO DESIGN A CRAFTSMAN STYLE PATTERN
Step 1: Start with a Mathematical Grid
Create a canvas and turn on your drawing guide.
I use a 3000 x 4000 px canvas, then divide the width by the number of columns I want so the grid gives me clear mathematical points to design from.
Step 2: Build Your Pattern Structure
Before drawing flowers or leaves, place simple circles on important grid intersections. These circles become your underlying layout, helping the final pattern feel balanced instead of random.
Duplicate your circle layout and flip it horizontally. This creates a mirrored structure that gives the pattern that classic Craftsman balance.
Step 4: Choose Symmetry and Draw the Vines
Turn on symmetry in Procreate and begin sketching your vines. Use the grid as a decision-making tool, letting stems cross through center points, intersections, or repeated anchor points.
Step 5: Fill the Pattern Without Overcrowding
Add leaves, flowers, or other motifs while deciding how dense you want the design to be. Craftsman patterns can be full and detailed, or open and airy with beautiful negative space.
Step 6: Shift the Repeat and Refine the Flow
Duplicate and shift the pattern blocks so you can see how the repeat connects. This helps you spot awkward gaps, adjust flow, and make sure the pattern feels seamless.
Reduce the sketch opacity, create a new layer, and ink your shapes. I use black because I vectorize my patterns, but you can adapt this step to your own process.
Step 8: Prepare for Vectorizing
Add small guide marks, duplicate your group, and shift the pattern into the corners so the edges are easier to match after vectorizing.
Step 9: Finish in Affinity Designer
Once the pattern is vectorized, bring it into Affinity Designer to create the final repeat, preview the pattern, and test color versions for fabric, wallpaper, and licensing.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Craftsman patterns are powerful because they combine structure and beauty. Once you understand the grid underneath the design, you can create patterns that feel intentional, timeless, and ready for products. Want to go deeper? Join us in The Studio and watch the Craftsman Pattern Class now!
Craftsman Pattern Class
- Learn how to build timeless Craftsman inspired patterns using grids, symmetry, and classic layout systems.
- Get access to the Craftsman Layout Maker, pattern resources, and the full class inside The Studio.
