A Look Back at the Invisible Threads Collection 

In 2022, we launched a new collection of patterns at NeoCon called Invisible Threads. This collection features ten original patterns created by Kristen Dettoni. All patterns are still available in our licensable library for use in your design projects. With the upcoming Healthcare Design Conference + Expo coming up in October, we thought we’d take a look back at a few of our collections designed with the needs of healthcare facilities in mind.

Invisible Threads began with inspiration from a Chinese proverb.

“An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break.” 

Kristen drew on this proverb in her patterns, inspired by the different forms or meanings this invisible thread could take. When it came to bringing these ideas to life, Kristen began exploring various elements of embroidery and considering how she could replicate the look of embroidered cloth via a pattern on a more durable surface, specifically in healthcare and senior living facilities.

Beginning with four basic embroidery stitches, Kristen took what she learned by engaging with this handmade art form to create the following ten original digital patterns. 

String Together: A group of flowers brought together to form a thread flower garden 

Sewn Up: Inspired by Japanese sashiko and the running stitch 

On the Mend: An organic pattern layering the image of a fern 

In Good Hands: Leaf shapes inspired by couching stitches

In Stitches: A playful circular pattern based on chain, running, and couching stitches

Lend a Hand: Stylized flower shaped based on the satin and couching stitches

In the Loop: A classic geometric pattern

Common Threads: A highly textured striped pattern

Jumping Through Hoops: Full of movement and leave with a nod to the workers in the healthcare field

A Stitch in Time: A leaf pattern inspired by couching and chain stitches. 

Invisible Threads was named a HiP Award Honoree in health and wellness: fabric and wall covering category by Interior Design at NeoCon in 2022. If you want to learn more about the creation of this collection, we go into even more detail about the stitches used to design these patterns in this blog post.