The 2026 Repertoire course opens for enrollment on September 15th

You can sign up to our waitlist below!

What is Repertoire?

Repertoire is a 12-week online course - taught by Bärbel Dressler - for surface pattern design students who want to move from beginner patterns to advanced compositions.

Learning from pattern history

The Repertoire course is known and loved for its unique method to expand the student's pattern design expertise and abilities;

By studying historical styles and patterns
Mixing traditional methods with digital techniques (in Adobe Illustrator)
Creating patterns inspired by them, with your own twist.

Steady advancement

The course is structured around the 5 foundational composition types that all patterns are based on. We start with the more simple compositions to have a solid foundation, and then gradually build up the complexity.

Comprehensive curriculum & extensive support

8 modules, with 120+ pre-recorded video lessons & tutorials
A digital workbook with hands-on-assignments to help work through the course
4 implementation weeks for working on your patterns
Weekly live Q&As, with recorded replays
A team of experts to help and guide you
A supportive community - your new pattern design colleagues

Take the next step in your pattern design education

Acquire extensive knowledge about historical patterns, motifs and classic pattern types

Equip yourself with new skills and techniques for creating a wide range of motifs and patterns.

Build actual experience as a pattern designer and create a large body of work that proves it!

Develop your personal style, create designs inspired by historical styles, but with your own twist.

"Repertoire was a super-highway to finding my signature style.
An absolute fast track!"

~ Wendy Digel, USA

“This course will take your patterns to the next level, and ensure you stand out from the crowd!”

- Anna Black, Portugal

Hi, I'm Bärbel

YOUR REPERTOIRE TEACHER (AND PATTERN HISTORY NERD 🤓)

When I started learning surface pattern design I quickly fell in love with historical styles like Toile de Jouy, Indian Florals, Arts and Crafts and Damask, and dreamed of being able to create sophisticated and complex patterns like that too.

But I didn't know how, it seemed so difficult, and there were no classes to show me. So I set out to figure it out on my own.

After months of research, studies and trial and errors, I finally managed to create my first historically inspired patterns.

What I didn't expect, was that along the way I would also develop my own style and techniques for creating more advanced patterns and compositions.

Now I want to share that knowledge and techniques with you!

I created Repertoire in 2022 to help aspiring pattern designers build their knowledge about patterns, drawing and composition skills, so that you can create the patterns of your dreams too - and master the craft of surface pattern design!

xo, Bärbel

“Repertoire completely changed the way I approach pattern design.”

- Giulia Balsarin, Italy

12 weeks when we focus 100% on developing your pattern design skills

12 weeks where we focus on your pattern design skills

8 modules & 4 implementation weeks

FOUNDATIONS

Module 1 is waiting for you inside the course when you enroll, with lessons and tutorials to get you started and prepare for the coming lessons and tutorials.

You'll learn principles for creating original work, balanced and interesting compositions, how to design with purpose and intention, and you'll get a first introduction to a technique for planning the pattern layout.

SPOT PATTERNS

In this module we will start studying and learning about patterns built with a spot composition type.

We will study historical styles and motifs like the Rosette, Paisley and ancient Egyptian. You'll get introductions to classic pattern types like Foulard, and Conversational.

In this module you will also learn and practice how to draw stylized and ornamental motifs.

ALLOVER PATTERNS

With module 3 we start learning how to create patterns in allover compositions.

You'll learn about historical styles and classic pattern types like Millefleurs, Liberty florals, Landscape and Vermicular patterns.

You will also learn and practice how to draw varied floral motifs and vectorize painted motifs.

TESSELLATING PATTERNS

This module teaches how to create patterns with a tessellating composition.

You get introductions to the classical styles like ancient Greek & Roman, Islamic, African and South American.

You learn how to create a wide range of geometric patterns like checkerboards, diamonds, the Houndstooth, triangles, hexagons, circles and scallops.

CONTINUAL PATTERNS: GEOMETRICS

In this module we start learning about patterns with a continual composition, meaning motifs that seem to continue infinitely with no visible beginnings or ends.

You'll learn about different types of stripes and checks and their different styles, for example Gingham, Plaids and how to create them.

And you'll learn about the historical style of Islamic motifs and patterns!

CONTINUAL PATTERNS: FLORALS, PART 1

In this module we take on floral patterns with a continual and trailing structure.

You'll learn about the historical Indian Floral and Chinoiserie styles, where you often find this type of patterns in various types and compositions.

You'll also learn techniques and methods for creating this type of patterns, with flow and balance.

CONTINUAL PATTERNS: FLORALS, PART 2

In this module we continue with continual floral patterns.

You'll learn about and how to draw the classic Acanthus motifs and you'll be introduced to the historical Arts and Crafts and Renaissance Foliage styles.

You will also get tips and techniques for adding background motifs and patterns.

MIRRORED & INTERLOCKING

In this module you learn about pattens with mirrored and interlocking motifs, and advanced techniques for creating this type of symmetrical and complex patterns.

You will learn about and how to create Ogee patterns, and get introduced to the historical styles of Art Nouveau and Damask.

"I love the way Repertoire takes you from simpler to more complex patterns."

~Caroline Hirst, UK

Toile de Jouy bonus module

In addition to the 8 core modules you also get a bonus module about the Toile de Jouy style, with 8 lessons that will teach you everything you need to know for creating your own Toile de Jouy inspired motifs and patterns!