Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Molly Fitzpatrick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Molly , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

As a textile designer, I think in repeat and see pattern as a great equalizer. Patterns are distinguishing, comforting, memorable and lasting. Patterns are accessible to all, given their prominent role in our societies as the background rhythms of our lives- no art history degree or previous access is needed to experience colors and shapes dancing in perfect tempo together. It is my intention to help you create a vibrant connection to your space with bold textiles. Through the universal language of patterns, spaces that include engaging textiles are welcoming, memorable, and conversation starting.

The greatest privilege I ever had was my first job after college as a textile designer in a mill in North Carolina. Working daily in the mill, absorbing decades of experience from dedicated warpers, winders and weavers, learning to create a textile, was a foundational experience. I truly respect and honor the time and resources spent to create new products.

My values guide my work. I aim to design and operate with the bigger issues of the world in mind. I am aware that the textile industry has been built on exploitation and abuse of people and the land. I acknowledge this history and believe that through systems of solidarity, I can do good with my textiles and shine brilliantly with others.⁠

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I studied Fiber and Materials at the Cleveland Institute of Art and worked in a textile mill before starting my design studio. I combine my textile manufacturing knowledge, my bold and dynamic aesthetic and my values to create thoughtful and lasting textiles and installations. When I begin a new project I consider where it will be used or installed and how it will be made. My approach is always collaborative with a clear understanding of the ultimate objective and goals of the commission for a successful and mutually beneficial result.

My studio practice is multifaceted, including textile design consulting for manufacturers, licensing my designs, commissioned art and installations as well as running my home textile company, DITTOHOUSE. In addition to extensive industry experience in woven, knit and printed textiles, I also delight in a joyful hand-weaving practice to tactilely experiment and improvise. These free and fun woven studies inform my other work greatly. The scale of my work varies from intimate- small, slowly hand woven textiles, to batch produced jacquard knit blankets, to large-scale, place-making pattern installations. No matter the process, I strive for my textile designs to have great visual activity. Oftentimes in my work, an intentional secondary pattern emerges, color combinations pulsate and use of lines create an optical reaction. When I achieve this visual response I am celebrating the rhythms of life and hopefully giving that gift to whoever looks at my textiles!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I have a very genuine interest and enthusiasm for my career in the textile industry and I love to share my experience with others. I think by being transparent and eager to share what I know helps build trust. I think it is so important to figure out what it is that you love, what makes you come alive- get really clear in this. Then once you know this, be true to yourself! Make decisions based on what you want to do, not what you should do or what others are doing.

I learned that designing textiles is what makes me alive and is my gift to share with the world. I stay true to myself by knowing that I like working small and intentionally, I don’t want to have employees or grow to be a huge corporation- even though that is the message I hear as an entrepreneur- that you need to grow and get bigger bigger bigger. I have built a business that allows me to practice the craft I love to homeschool my 2 kids and create a calm, creative and kind life together where they can have the space to find what makes them come alive and share their gifts with the world.

I think that by being true to myself, my clients and customers trust me to be true to them and work ethically and responsibly.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I love to share on social media about my business, as well as the creative process, this also includes sharing my day-to-day activities as a mom to two homeschooled children. Everything in our lives is so tangled up- home, work, school, family, hobbies- it’s all in one big pot, which works for us!

Through sharing my process and life, my customer’s have a good idea of who I am and what I value and often times, they have similar values and interests.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected] mollyfitzpatrickstudio.com
• Instagram: @dittohouse
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-fitzpatrick-727b3851/
• Other: Thank you!!

Image Credits
my head shot is by dashaunae marisa, all others by me.