Turn Your Pattern Passion into Profit
A 12-month program to building your business, securing sales and gaining industry visibility.
You love creating patterns. The rhythm of repeats, the dance of colors, the joy of seeing your vision come to life. Every new design feels like magic. But there's something missing, isn't there? That bridge between creating beautiful work and actually getting paid for it.
You know your patterns deserve to be on products, in stores, and in homes—but turning that creative passion into actual income feels overwhelming. Where do you even start? Who do you contact? How do you price your work? If you're nodding along, you're in exactly the right place.
The Textile Design Lab: Where Creative Talent Meets Commercial Success
Why Most Talented Pattern Designers Struggle
You know that feeling—spending hours perfecting a beautiful pattern, only to have it sit in your portfolio while you wonder:
"How do I actually make money from these designs?"
"Where do I find clients who value my work?"
"Which selling platform is best for my unique style?"
The hard truth: Creative talent alone isn't enough in today's competitive market. Without the right strategy, even the most gifted designers remain undiscovered.
Your 12-Month Journey from Passion to Profit
"One of the pivotal things that I have learned at TDL is who I am as an artist. I had been working for others most of my career. Finding artistic ways to create clients or bosses dreams in textiles and rugs.
When COVID hit, suddenly I had lots of free time and was so thrilled to discover TDL. The Sellable Sketch course was vital in reconnecting me with my dreams, my interests and in putting the skills I had developed over my career to my benefit. It is such an important discovery and such an important class. So much is balanced on finding out who we are artistically and using this powerful information to create. Thank you TDL!"
- Susan Tudor
The Textile Design Lab isn't just a course—it's a structured pathway to building a profitable design business tailored to your unique goals and style.
Month One: Discover your perfect path in the industry with our comprehensive onboarding process. Get acquainted with our supportive community and clarify exactly where you want to take your pattern design career.
Month Two: Craft your distinctive market position and professional brand. Define your unique value proposition, identify your ideal clients, and develop a strategic brand presence that makes your work instantly recognizable. Learn how to align your existing creative strengths with market opportunities that pay.
Month 3-12: Choose the path that aligns with your goals and unlock progressive content designed to take you from aspiring to established:
Print-on-Demand Mastery Track
Turn your patterns into passive income streams across multiple platforms
Optimize your designs for products that sell
Build a sustainable business without client deadlines
Freelance Success Track
Attract ideal clients who value your work
Price your services confidently and profitably
Create a website and systems that keep your marketing running smoothly
Agency & Studio Representation Track
Prepare a lookbook that catches agents' attention
Pitch agents and studios with confidence
Create systems to market your work and brand, building continuous growth
Beyond the Tracks: Your Complete Design Career Ecosystem
The Textile Design Lab program includes everything you need to thrive:
Style Lab: Stay ahead of emerging trends with monthly design prompts and access Style Amplifier, a dynamic three-month program designed to help you hone your artistic style, explore the latest trends, and gain the visibility you deserve! This program is available to members in addition to our professional tracks and includes access to WGSN for 270 of our members. In the Style Lab you'll also find design history posts and textile design tutorials.
Engaged Community: Join our network of designers who are elevating their craft and career
Regular Live Events: Art critiques, goals check-ins and skill-building workshops with industry insiders
Job Board: Access our private job board updated with fresh listings each week
FREE Pattern Observer Directory Listing: Get discovered with a premium profile ($99 value)
From our members...
"The Textile Design Lab (TDL) has helped me advance through focus. I have learned that focus on planning ahead, learning new skills and working with TDL staff will strengthen my business. When I'm in doubt of a pattern I get excellent feedback from skilled and experienced surface pattern designers, agents and artists.
I use the TDL list of business contacts to offer my portfolio for licensure. Joining the new TDL Directory that allows agents and art directors to peruse the catalog for patterns they can license is outstanding. I routinely enter into many of the consistent artistic and software skill challenges that bolsters my confidence. When I have an accomplishment or exciting sale to share there's a place for that in TDL.
I searched extensively for a partner with a program to assist me in surface pattern design, but I never expected such an organized and forward-thinking organizational team. I will be a member far into the future."
- Cherie De Sues, Gypsea Art Designs
The Choice Is Simple
Continue creating beautiful patterns that don't earn what they deserve, or...
Join the Textile Design Lab and follow our proven pathway to turning your pattern passion into consistent income.
Is this program right for me if I'm just starting out?
If you're creating beautiful patterns but struggling to monetize them, you're exactly who we built this for. Our structured approach helps beginners avoid costly mistakes and experienced designers break through income plateaus.
What's the Style Lab?
The Style Lab is an exciting part of our community which houses our Style Amplifier, a dynamic three-month program designed to help you hone your artistic style, explore the latest trends, and gain the visibility you deserve! This program is available to members in addition to our professional tracks and includes access to WGSN for 270 of our members. In the Style Lab you'll also find design history posts and textile design tutorials.
How long is a subscription to the Textile Design Lab? How much does it cost?
Annual Membership: $795/year – a full 12 months of access. This is our only membership option, designed to give you the complete program from pattern creator to professional designer. The annual membership ensures you have time to implement each phase of our proven process.
Where can I learn more about the Textile Design Lab team?
At Textile Design Lab, our expert team is here to support your journey in textile design. Founder Michelle Fifis brings over a decade of experience helping artists grow their businesses, while project administrator Amanda Rouse Letscher ensures smooth operations and a supportive community.
Our specialists include Melissa Schulz, a licensing expert with 20+ years in the industry; Photoshop guru Sherry London, who leads monthly tutorials; and Laura Olivia, a UK-based home decor expert specializing in hand-painted designs. Apparel and licensing pro Lise Gulassa, children's market veteran MaryJane Mitchell, and Adobe Illustrator expert Laura Coyle each bring deep industry expertise.
Newest to the team, Fizah Malik, based in Sydney, shares vibrant designs through monthly tutorials. Together, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your textile design goals in a collaborative, inspiring environment.
What if I already have some clients or sales? Will this still help me?
Many of our members already have some design experience or occasional sales when they join. What the Textile Design Lab provides is a systematic approach to creating consistent income and growing your business strategically. Our more experienced members often report that the program helps them work more efficiently and grow their business in ways they couldn't do on their own.
Do I have to keep up with a specific schedule?
While our 12-month program is structured to guide your progress, you have complete flexibility in how quickly you move through the content. Some members implement everything right away, while others take a more measured approach based on their availability. The community and resources remain accessible throughout your membership.
