LEARNING about graphic design has allowed Fiona Schiffl to turn from a quilting teacher to a self-published author.
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The Warrnambool quilter has just released three books on her craft after beginning a South West TAFE graphic design course as a computer design novice in 2011.
The books include “how-to” advice for using computers to create patterns and two publications highlighting her favourite patterns.
Mrs Schiffl tailored parts of the graphic design course to suit her goals, starting with Illustrator in 2011 and continuing with a basic introduction to web design, Photoshop and InDesign.
She had purchased Illustrator 18 months earlier but struggled to use it until computer course, staff at TAFE put her at ease.
“I went in with a list of questions to ask course coordinator Andrea Radley to show exactly what I wanted to use Illustrator for,” Mrs Schiffl said.
“Andrea said: ‘That’s the kind of person we want to do the course’. They were very interested in what I was using it for and keen to adapt the course to suit my situation.”
Learning how to modify a design into a circular pattern was a game-changer, she said.
“I developed a system for creating hundreds of patterns on the computer. That’s been great for me and made me want to produce the books,” Mrs Schiffl said.
“When I was just exploring what I could do with Illustrator I made up about 2000 patterns and ornamental designs.
“Because I’d created so many patterns I thought I needed to write a book. I’ve put the best 400 in the other two books.
“Ask any quilter and they’ll tell you quilting is more than just cutting up fabric and sewing it back together.
“It can get you through the tough times, gives you confidence, helps you to solve problems and changes you in ways you weren’t expecting. It’s a fabulous hobby to get into.”
Mrs Schiffl said she decided to self-publish to keep copyright of the designs and so they “will be available forever”.
The books, available through amazon.com, are aimed mainly at quilters but could also appeal to artists looking for designs.
The Diploma of Graphic Design enrollment can be made through the South West TAFE customer service team on 1300 648 911 or emailinfo@swtafe.vic.edu.au.