Screen Printing with Simone Deckers from Femke Textiles
KK: We're curious to know more about your creative practice, can you tell us about what you do, how you started and what mediums you use?
Simone: I have always loved colour and pattern so deciding to study textile design was easy! I graduated from RMIT in 2014, completing a diploma of textile design and development. I hand screen print all my own Australian botanical designs onto mostly linen, selling the fabric by the metre and products made from the fabric. Everything is hand screen printed and sewn right here in Melbourne. When designing pattern ideas, I like to use anything from watercolours to charcoal to Indian inks and also my iPad using procreate!
KK: What's your favourite Kraftkolour product and how do you incorporate it into your creative process?
Simone: I love using Kraftkolour pigments to mix fun and vibrant colours for my workshops. Using the pigments allows me to mix almost any colour and helps to reduce waste but just mixing what is required.
KK: Where do you find inspiration for your designs, and how do you keep the creative process fresh?
Simone: It's very easy to find inspiration for designs by simply going bush-walking or camping, or just walking around my neighbourhood! Australian flora and fauna is so diverse in its colours and textures! Keeping the creative process fresh can be tricky but allowing myself time to just play experiment plays a big part.
KK: What has been one of your favourite projects or designs to work on, and why?
Simone: I was asked to screen print and sew cushions for each of the rooms at The Interlude boutique hotel in Coburg. To see my work featuring Australian flora such as wattle and gum leaves featured in each room on several cushions is really thrilling!
https://theinterlude.com.au/suites/
KK: We all face that dreaded space called the creative block. What's your go-to tool or technique to overcome this pesky obstacle and get those creative gears turning again?
Simone: Yes, it happens to all of us! Usually for me, creative block is a sign I need to take some time out. Going for a hike or bushwalk always helps!
KK: Do you have any advice or tips for those who are just starting in the surface design/textiles industry?
Simone: Draw/design what makes you happy and don't let that blank page intimidate you. Throw some colour on it and just have fun.
KK: What’s one aspect of screen printing that you think people might not understand or appreciate?
Simone: How many steps are involved in getting a design ready to be put on a screen to be repeated seamlessly across fabric.
KK: We had a fantastic time coming to your Print Your Own Fabric Workshop - Introduction to Screen printing and Fabric Design - we had great chats over the breaks, asked you so many questions and you made the process so simple and easy to understand. So many people worry that they need to have a creative flair to do a workshop, what advice would you give them?
Simone: My workshops are very beginner friendly and you don't need any creative flair/experience. My advice would be to just come along and I guarantee you will have loads of fun and go home with your very own design screen printed onto fabric!
KK: Finally, what’s next for you in your screen printing journey? Any upcoming projects or goals you’re particularly excited about? What would be your dream collaboration?
Simone: I'm excited about continuing to develop my style and I have a few ideas for new designs going back to mark making and techniques I learnt when I first started studying textile design! Stay tuned!
My dream collaboration would be to work with a ceramicist and see some of my designs come to life on cups, plates and vessels!
Thank you so much to Simone from Femke Textiles for the great workshop experience and all of the knowledge you've shared with us.
If you would like to get in touch with Simone you can find her across the web:
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