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One of the most commonly used designs on fabric is a repeat pattern design. Repeat patterns are easy to make in Photoshop Elements using the Offset feature and simple copy and past. So let’s get started …

Note: This tutorial is for Photoshop Elements 6 but the steps are probably similar in other versions.

1. Download the image
Right click and save to your desktop.

2. Open the image in Photoshop Elements

3. Arrange the image in a half-drop repeat
From the main menu Filter > Other > Offset

The original image is 200px wide by 200px height so to create a half-drop repeat, you will need to offset the image using half of the width and height of the original image.
In the Offset Dialog Box change the settings:
Horizontal: 100
Vertical: 100
Undefined Areas: Wrap Around

Click OK to close the dialog box and you can now see that the image has become offset.

4. Copy the image. From the main menu:
Select > All (shortcut keys Ctrl+A)
Edit > Copy (shortcut keys Ctrl+C)
Select > Deselect (shortcut keys Ctrl+D)

5. Resize the canvas
Make sure the background color is set to white. You can quickly reset it by using the shortcut key D
From the main menu: Image > Resize > Canvas Size

Once the Canvas Size Dialog Box opens, double the size of the canvas.
Width: 400px
Height: 400px
Position the current image in the top left hand corner by clicking the arrow on the top right hand side of the box.
Make sure that the Canvas Extension Color setting is set to Background.

Click OK to close the dialog box and you can see that the image has shifted to the top left of the canvas.

6. Paste copies of the image
From the main menu:
File > New > Image from Clipboard (shortcut keys Ctrl+V)
This drops a copy of the image onto the center of the canvas and also adds a new layer in the Layers Pallete.

This drops a copy of the image onto the center of the canvas and also adds a new layer in the Layers Pallete.

Now drag the image into position alongside the original image. This is easy when you have the Snap To function set. To set it:
View > Snap To > Guides
Now the image snaps into position.

Paste another copy of the image and position it underneath the original image.

And paste a final copy and position it on the bottom right corner.

7. Flatten the image
In the Layers Palette, right click and select Flatten Image. This combines all the layers into one layer.

8. Enlarging the design
You can continue enlarging the design by beginning again at step 4 and copying the image, then step 5 resizing the canvas.

By continuing in this way you can create a very large canvas of pattern.

And of course you can do this with any image that’s suitable for creating a pattern. Easy when you know how right?

Have a creative day!

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