How I Landed My First Pattern Design Client Before I Felt Ready (And What Happened Next)

Surface pattern designer working on a rainbow-themed fabric mockup on a laptop in a creative studio with a moodboard behind.

There’s a moment every creative entrepreneur remembers: the first time someone trusts you with their vision. For me, that moment came before I had even officially called myself a pattern designer.

At the time, my offerings were mostly hand-painted watercolour and ink portraits, often encircled by delicate botanical wreaths. I was sharing these commissions online, experimenting, exploring, and learning. Pattern design was quietly growing as an interest, but it hadn't yet become part of my official portfolio. And then, in September 2017, an email arrived.

A client who had previously ordered a custom portrait in memory of her grandmother reached out again. She loved the florals I painted and asked what it might look like to create a custom pattern design for a product line she was dreaming about. She was curious, not fully committed, but wondering if we could explore it together. She wanted to set aside a budget for a future project. So I broke down the process and outlined the steps for her, giving her a quotation too.
I knew well enough that sometimes these "maybe one day" inquiries never materialise—but sometimes, they do.

And the following year, in June 2018, we signed the contract. My first custom surface pattern design client. My first design that would be printed on yards of fabric and enter the homes and lives of others.

Pattern design concept board with colour palette swatches, botanical line art, citrus illustrations, and hand-drawn birds. — Moodboard notes and first pattern element sketches

Full spread of a digitally printed bird pattern blanket designed by a surface pattern artist, with blueberries and foliage motifs. — The First Printed Sample

Flatlay of custom baby fabric swaddle featuring blue and yellow birds, with matching knitwear bonnet and bow tie for newborns. — The Final Swaddle Product

The Courage to Begin Without Feeling Ready

I look back now and marvel at the combination of youth, optimism, and genuine excitement that carried me forward. There was nervousness, of course—especially as I sent off those final files knowing they would soon live on yard and yards of printed fabric. But fear wasn’t the loudest voice. Curiosity was. Enthusiasm was.

What grounded me was recognising the skills I already had. I could illustrate. I knew how to scan and digitise my work. I could navigate Photoshop and Illustrator. The tools were there. What I lacked in experience, I compensated for with a willingness to learn and an openness to evolve.

You Likely Already Have What You Need

The truth is, we often forget how much skill we carry with us before we call ourselves "ready." My years in art school had trained me in ways I didn't fully appreciate at the time: pitching concepts, developing process-driven projects, refining through critique, and delivering final presentations. I had spent years iterating work under feedback and deadline pressure—exactly the kind of rhythm that client work requires.

That foundation taught me something essential: client input is valuable, not critical. Early in the process, clients often don’t know exactly what they want. They rely on you to present a starting point, to hold up a mirror they can respond to. It’s not about nailing the perfect design in the first draft; it’s about offering a thoughtful, professional starting point that opens the conversation.

Create Boundaries that Build Trust

One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of creating space for clients to process feedback thoughtfully. I always recommend giving clients 24-48 hours to sit with a design before asking for their input. Resist the temptation to open casual feedback loops on WhatsApp or text messages. When clients fire off instant thoughts, they're reacting, not reflecting. Thoughtful feedback leads to stronger outcomes and a more fulfilling collaboration.

Have a Process Before You Start

The most practical thing you can do, even before your first client inquiry arrives, is sit down with your offering and map out a process. What are the distinct phases? How do you gather information? When do you pause for feedback? What does delivery look like? The best client experiences often mirror the ones we’ve valued most ourselves.

Your process doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to exist. Having a clear, intentional workflow shows your client that they can trust you to guide the project. That trust becomes the foundation for healthy boundaries, clear communication, and beautiful work.

Saying Yes Changes Everything

Saying yes to that first custom pattern design opened a door I could never have fully imagined. It led to a beautiful five-year working relationship with that brand, countless new opportunities, and an entire world of boutique children's fabrics and licensing work that would follow from my growing confidence.

Today, I license my own surface pattern collections and design for companies around the world—all because I said yes before I felt fully ready.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY: Readiness is often a Mental Shift -
Not a Skill Gap

If you’re standing at your own starting line, wondering if you’re ready: hear this. You very likely already hold the skills that matter. The step that feels enormous is often not as big as your feelings. What you need most is Matt Damon’s 20 seconds of insane courage (We bought a zoo ) — just enough bravery to say yes and begin.

Once you do, you’ll find that readiness grows with every project, every revision, every client conversation.

And you’ll look back one day, as I do now, and see that the work you were most scared to say yes to became the foundation of a creative career you once only dreamed about.

One yes lead to 5 years of designing signature prints for Rosie-Bee Children’s Clothing