How to Make a Seamless Pattern Swatch in Adobe Illustrator 

You explained it very very well. The pattern itself looks so nice. Thank you so much for making this tutorial 🏆

Hi Susan, That was really clear and helpful, I'll certainly be checking out your other videos thank you.

This is, by far, one of the best tutorials of any stripe that I've come across on RU-vid. The way Ms. Rutledge leads you through the steps is paced perfectly with just the right amount of scaffolding built in. I've been taking an online class in surface pattern design, got frustrated with the limitations, and decided to see if I could figure things out for myself with some help from RU-vid. This video does not disappoint. In addition to her very clear, step by step instructions and calming voice, Ms. Rutledge has added visuals for the keyboard shortcuts needed for some of the steps (for both Mac and PC users, thanks for the inclusivity!) and I noticed on some steps she found a way to show it twice without it coming across as repetitive. Overall, a perfectly planned and paced lesson. I was able to make several seamless repeat patterns this weekend and each time got a little easier. (The only issue I'm currently having is when I export the design, there's a glitch where some extra space comes in at one or two edges, so I have to carefully crop to make it actually seamless. Hoping to figure out why that's happening!) Great work, I'm now a subscriber and looking forward to learning more from this lovely instructor. Thank you so much.

Susan, you are THE BOMB!!! Can't tell you how many tutorials I've watched on seamless patterns, all of which left me scratching my head and more confused than EVER!!! You are a gifted teacher and I appreciate you more than I can express! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

amazing ! thank you Susan - love how u explain how a seamless pattern works in principle; you don’t rush through it and are very clear :) - cannot wait to see more videos from you :)

Thank you..your video your explanation very clear❤..this video very helpful

Wonderful video! Thank you SO MUCH ! Have subscribed

Dear Susan, I applied what you said, it all happened. However, it does not throw it into the swatches panel. No matter what you do. I applied to all of them. By the way, I'm using Illustrator 2022. what should i do, open answer. Thanks for everything...

Just what I was looking for! Most other tutorials show a single design centered in a tile, but do not show how to manage elements that blend across the edges of tiles. So thorough and easy to follow! Thank you! 🙏🏻

i am confused. i thought illustrator makes seemless patterns by default.

Your all type of nature design is really helpful for online people's keep it up good work stay blessings Fahid Augustin Pervaiz from Lahore Pakistan

As everyone says, it's an amazing tutorial!

Very helpful Thanks for sharing ❤

Thank you Susan! This was an extremely helpful video, easy to follow along, and I learned a ton about the tools and shortcuts that make the process of creating patterns in Illustrator so much easier. : )

thank you so much, you saved my life. :D

Susan I am in love with your voice, made following the tutorial so much easier lmao

Thank you, I just found your page and so much helpful videos. I have a question as a fashion designer I need to be able to upload an image to illustrator of a patterns and fabrics and add it to my swatches . Do you have any idea to do that? I can’t find any new videos

Lovely, I learn something.

Great video! learned a lot from you

thank you

What function tool can we use for the "crop" step if we do not have a properties panel ? I am using CS6 (before 2018 version that offers the properties panel). Thank you!

Great video!

Thank You so so so much! I had a trouble doing that (I had seen a few videos before yours) because after all that process I couldn't move/drag that into swatches and thanks to your method finally I was able to create it and move into patterns :3 Thank You so so much, I subscribed You :3

thank you!!

Its really really helpful video I am so much thankful of you .....I have some questions how can I contact you

I have learned so much from your tutorials. You are a favorite because your voice is clear, you don't give unnecessary information (that is, you don't talk too much! lol), and your visuals are clear. Thank you for sharing.

Awesome work Susan, excellent pro level tutorial. Keep up the good work. Cant wait to see more from u. +Subs

THANK U SOOO MUCH. BY FAR THE BEST AND COMPLETEST INSTRUCTIONS I'VE FOUND. SUBSCRIBED DONE

I love this workflow... better placement of items on the design, thank you Susan

after so long I finally learn. It was using the move tool, that's how you get that appearance... Of all the tutorials, this was the best and I like how you explained slowly and showed multiple times how to do it. thanks 👽🐧

Thank you so much! Very well explained. I started feeling just as you said - intimidated by this process, but after watching your video, I'm now excited to get started!

This is the best tutorial I've come by so far. Thank you so so much.

I much prefer making patterns this way rather than using the Pattern Tool. Thanks for the Tut!

Clean talk, clean voice, clean explanation, and clean work; thank you :)

Thank you , I like this video; it's very helpful.

well done, thank you... I dig your teaching style!

great video tutorial! what tools did use to create the artwork? is it the pen tool? or you created a brush? new to illustrator here, would appreciate your reply :)

Great tutorial!! I am curious to know if you use the pattern feature in Illustrator.

Your verbal instructions are great! I subscribed.

This is so clear and easy to follow. Thank you for sharing!

This was so AWESOME! Thank you!!!

Very easy to follow tutorial. Thank you.

Excellent!. Well explained and easy to follow.

Can we do it in Photoshop cc?

Excellent video! Thank you so much! I followed your instructions (step by step) and was able to create the pattern swatch. Unfortunately, I can see the "tile" edges. It is as if illustrator assumes it is a swatch made with the Pattern Maker. I even looked at the "Preferences" to see if there was something there, but I can't figure out what is wrong. I've tried so many times, even with different designs, but the result is always the same. There is a line around the "tile". There is no stroke in the background. And the "show tile edges" on the Pattern Maker is unchecked. Once again, I did not use the Pattern Maker. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, again!

Perfectly explained! I can now make my own and not pull out any hair! Great teacher! New sub! - EDIT: I tried it today and it worked exactly as you explained - except my rectangle would not place on top/in front - no thanks to Illustrator for their bugs :( - but you my friend are a huge help!!!! Thanks a million bazillion - whatever that works out to mathematically :)

This is a really good tutorial, well done!

Thanks for the video, its beautifully explained and easy to follow. How do share my pattern with someone who does not have AI?

Super helpful and well explained!!

Such a well done tutorial!

Thank u, it was helpful

Thank you 💖 it helps me a lot ☺️

Helpful video 💜 plz make a video on half drop repeat aswell

Pretty good