Start Messy: Why Your First Repeating Pattern Doesn't Need to Be Perfect
I need to tell you something that might surprise you, especially coming from someone who teaches surface pattern design for a living.
My first pattern was absolutely terrible.
I'm talking about wonky flowers that looked like they'd been drawn by someone wearing oven mitts. Colors that clashed so badly they could've started their own reality TV show. And the repeat? Let's just say it had gaps in all the wrong places.
But here's what that disaster taught me: Every single successful surface pattern designer started exactly where you are right now – staring at a blank screen, wondering if they're too old, too inexperienced, or too "not artistic enough" to create something beautiful.
At 68, I've helped thousands of women over 50 transform from "I haven't touched art supplies in decades" to "Look at my designs on fabric!" And the secret that unlocks everything?
Permission to be terrible at first.
The Myth That's Keeping You Stuck
Last week, I received an email from Barbara, 71, who wrote: "Anne, I've been watching your tutorials for months, but I can't bring myself to start. What if I spend all this time learning and my patterns are never good enough to sell?"
Oh, sweet Barbara. She's fallen for the same myth that keeps so many creative women frozen: The belief that your first attempt needs to be portfolio-worthy.
Here's what nobody tells you about the surface pattern design world: Those gorgeous, perfectly balanced designs you see on Spoonflower? Those designers have hundreds of "learning patterns" hidden in their computers. Patterns they'd never show anyone. Patterns that taught them what works and what doesn't.
You know what separates successful pattern designers from those who never start? The successful ones gave themselves permission to create terrible first patterns.
Why "Starting Messy" Is Actually Your Superpower
When I was a Vice President in my corporate job, everything had to be perfect before presentation. Polished. Professional. Bulletproof. When I got laid off and stumbled into surface pattern design, I brought that same perfectionist energy with me.
It nearly killed my creative dreams.
I spent three months – THREE MONTHS – tweaking my first pattern before I showed it to anyone. You know what happened when I finally did? The feedback was exactly the same as it would've been on day one. I could have learned and improved so much faster if I'd just started messy and iterated.
Here's what I've learned after building a multiple six-figure creative business: Messy action beats waiting for perfection every single time.
The Truth About Learning Surface Pattern Design After 50
Can we talk honestly about something? When you're learning surface pattern design in your 50s, 60s, or 70s, you have advantages that younger designers don't:
You've lived through actual trends. You remember what patterns looked like in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. You have a visual library that spans decades.
You know what real life needs. You've decorated homes, wrapped presents, sewn clothes. You understand how patterns actually get used in the real world.
You've developed patience. You're not trying to become famous on Instagram overnight. You can take the time to develop your unique style.
You have stories to tell. Every pattern has a story, and honey, you've got plenty of those.
But here's the flip side – and I know you feel this because every woman in my Pattern Design Academy® has felt it too: The tech feels overwhelming. Your fingers don't move as quickly on the keyboard. You worry you're too slow, too late, too far behind.
Let me tell you what I tell every student: You're not too anything. You're exactly where you need to be.
Your First Repeating Pattern Is Not Your Last
I want you to think about your first repeating pattern like your first pancake. You know how the first pancake is always wonky? Too thick, too thin, weird shape, probably stuck to the pan? But you don't stop making breakfast. You adjust the heat, perfect your pour, and by the third pancake, you're flipping like a pro.
Your first repeating pattern is just information gathering. It tells you:
What tools feel comfortable
Which design elements you're drawn to
Where you need more practice
What comes naturally to you
Every "mistake" is actually data that moves you closer to your unique style.
The Simple Truth About Illustrator
Since we're being honest here, let's address the elephant in the room: Adobe Illustrator.
I see you panicking. I know because I get emails every day from women who are convinced they'll never understand it. "I'm not tech-savvy," they say. "I can barely attach a photo to an email."
Here's what I need you to know: You only need to learn about 5% of Illustrator to create beautiful, sellable patterns. Five percent. The rest is just noise.
When I teach From Doodles to Dollars®, we focus on very few tools. You don’t need to learn how to use every tool - just the ones you need. And with those, you can create your first seamless repeat pattern that can go on fabric, wrapping paper, or greeting cards.
Start With One Simple Flower
Here's your permission slip, signed by someone who's been where you are: Start with one simple flower. Not a bouquet. Not a complex botanical illustration. One. Simple. Flower.
Draw it badly. Make it lopsided. Color outside the lines. Then duplicate it, rotate it, and boom – you're on your way to your first pattern.
The magic isn't in that first flower being perfect. The magic is in starting.
What Happens When You Let Go of Perfect
When you give yourself permission to start messy, something magical happens:
You actually START (which puts you ahead of 90% of people who just dream about it)
You learn faster because you're doing, not just watching
You discover your natural style emerges when you're not trying to copy someone else's perfection
You build creative confidence with each small win
You realize that "good enough" can lead to sales, joy, and fulfillment
Margaret, one of my students, sent me a photo last week of her granddaughter's birthday party. The gift wrap? Her own design. Was it perfect? No. Did it matter? Not even a little bit. That little girl is going to remember that Grandma made special paper just for her.
That's what this is really about.
Your Next Tiny Step
I know you might be thinking, "This sounds good, Anne, but I don't even know where to start."
Here's exactly where: Grab a copy of my From Doodles to Dollars® workbook. This is a downloadable PDF with the step by step instructions for how to turn a doodle or sketch into a repeating pattern. You’ll create your very first repeating pattern and gain the foundation skills to begin expressing your artistic voice in a new, exciting way.
You're Not Behind – You're Beginning
At 68, when someone asks me if it's too late to start something new, I want to laugh and cry at the same time. Too late? Honey, you could start today and have a thriving pattern business by summer. You could design the wrapping paper for next Christmas. You could see your patterns on fabric by your next birthday.
The only thing standing between you and your first pattern is the belief that it needs to be perfect.
It doesn't. It needs to exist.
So here's my challenge to you: This week, create something messy. One terrible, imperfect, wonky little pattern element. Share it with me if you're brave. Hide it in a drawer if you're not. But create it.
Because your first repeating pattern isn't about being good. It's about beginning.
xo,
Anne
Three Ways to Work with Me
If you're ready to take your creative confidence to the next level, there are three ways I can support your journey:
To get started in surface pattern design: Grab a copy of my From Doodles to Dollars® workbook. This is a downloadable PDF with the step by step instructions for how to turn a doodle or sketch into a repeating pattern. You’ll create your very first repeating pattern and gain the foundation skills to begin expressing your artistic voice in a new, exciting way.
If you've already made repeating patterns in Adobe Illustrator and you want to up-level your skills: Join the self-study version of my Pattern Design Academy® program. Click HERE for details.
If you're already running a successful creative business and you want guidance on how to expand online: Apply for my Creative Business Mastermind. This program is limited to 20 students and is designed to help you scale and achieve greater profitability using my proven 6-part framework.
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
If you enjoyed this blog please share it with your friends, family and creative colleagues. Check out my favorite resources by clicking the red button below.
The Creative Business Spark Podcast.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.
Create your very first repeating pattern by following my Three Golden Rules. Grab this downloadable PDF workbook and get started today.
Get started for just $10.00. Click HERE for details.
Up level your surface pattern design skills and learn at your own pace in The Pattern Design Academy® Self-Study Program!
Enjoy working at your own pace? Enroll in the Pattern Design Academy® Self-Study program. Click HERE for details.
The Creative Business Mastermind is my highest level program. Learn how to implement the 6-part framework I used to build my creative business from scratch.
By application only. Click HERE for details.
MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
