Designers

KAISA JA CHRISTOFFER LEKA

Mouse and Duck on duty – always ready! In other words: meet Kaisa and Christoffer. Of the two of us, Kaisa is a comic artist and Christoffer is a graphic designer and teacher.

When you’re always busy creating and adventuring, clothes don’t always survive unscathed — and Christoffer’s earlier duct-tape repair attempts led to some unintentional epilation. So, for years now, we’ve relied on FabPatch™ to keep the journey going — and Duck’s skin is grateful, too!

Our designs reflect our love of adventure — whether it takes place on land or at sea. The patches feature our alter egos, Mouse and Duck, whose journeys have been chronicled in several of our autobiographical comic books.

Each badge drawn by Kaisa can serve either as a reward for a heroic deed already achieved or as inspiration for new adventures still waiting beyond the horizon.

In our cycling-themed pattern, the ride continues through both sunshine and rain — the weather may change, but the road always leads onward!

Whichever way you look at it, FabPatch™ brings a burst of color to the world — just what it needs!

SANNA KALLIO

I’m Sanna Kallio — an illustrator, graphic designer, and pattern designer from Helsinki.
I hold a Master of Arts degree and have had a long career as an art director in the media industry.

Pal pattern: I love lines that show the touch of a human hand. In a world of artificial intelligence, roughness and imperfection are signs of humanity. The Pal pattern feels comforting and forgiving to me — a reminder that neither clothes, patterns, nor life itself need to be perfect. It’s okay if the steps sometimes falter, as long as there’s a friend walking beside you to offer support.

Web pattern: The Web pattern represents perseverance — the Finnish sisu. A delicate line forms a strong and flexible web. I think Web suits FabPatch™ especially well: it’s like a thread that weaves together the patch, the repairer, and the repaired garment into one strong bond.

Tag pattern: One of my art teachers used to say: “Don’t try to hide a mistake — highlight it. Make it the most interesting part of the work, the place where the eye is drawn.”
The Tag pattern doesn’t hide or shy away from the area it covers; it wants to be noticed. It’s like a signature that turns a flaw in a garment into a unique and personal detail.

TIINA ARPONEN

I’m Tiina Arponen — originally from Oulu, now living in Helsinki, a social media influencer who loves cottage life and creating beautiful things.

FabPatch™ patches have been part of our family’s life for years, so it’s been a true joy to design my own pattern — something I may have even dreamed aloud about while mending my kids’ clothes! And dreams are meant to be dreamed so they can come true.

The pattern is called “In Shallow Water.” It was inspired by my love and respect for the underwater world — from the coral reefs of warm seas to the magical waters of my home country.

SANNA KALLIO / TIKKI

I’m Sanna Kallio — an illustrator, graphic designer, and surface pattern designer from Helsinki. I hold a Master of Arts degree and have had a long career as an art director in the media industry. Designing patterns had been my secret dream since childhood, and it came true in 2017 when my family and I moved to London for a couple of years. There, I had the opportunity to study pattern design and connect with professionals in the field.

Since then, my designs have been sold both to international fashion markets and Finnish clients, and they have also performed well in international competitions. In Finland, my work is perhaps best known from Paletti’s greeting cards and stationery collections.

I find inspiration and excitement in everything new and surprising — in people, animals, nature, the bustle of cities, exhibitions, street art, and intriguing places. My sketchbook is like a visual diary, capturing the things I see.

The sketch for the “Tikki” pattern was born on a beautiful summer day in London’s King’s Cross Square, by a fountain whose free movement and rhythm captured my imagination.SANNA KALLIO / TIKKI

LAURA IKONEN

An idea for a pattern can come from absolutely anything — from the things happening around me to what I simply see. Then comes an image, around which shapes and details start to grow, without really knowing what the final outcome will be…

I probably wouldn’t have learned to use these special “glasses” of mine without the little crew of small people floating alongside me. They’ve shown me the way to this cotton-candy-colored perspective, where reality and imagination walk hand in hand while a swirl of colors wraps everything in a hug. Sometimes unicorns trot by, and other times all that comes out of my head is popcorn.

The inspiration for the “Small Worlds” pattern came one evening as we gazed at the piles of stuff under the bed, imagining that there might be an entire world living there.

ULLA LAPIOLAHTI

Pattern design is my favorite “child” — the kind of work that truly makes me happy! I draw and paint all my sketches by hand, and I love this creative stage filled with possibilities,e xperimentation, and the joy of discovery.

Designing patterns is, for me, also a form of visual interaction with people — through patterns I can tell stories and convey emotions. I value authenticity, naturalness, and honesty, and I hope my work reflects those same values.

The “Lakritsa” (Licorice) pattern is a small, sweet treat meant to bring joy to everyday life. It’s a charming and playful design — and creating it was just as fun as it looks!

SUSANNA NOUSIAINEN

I’m Susanna Nousiainen, Master of Arts in Textile Design, and I’ve been living in Spain since 2008.
I’ve been working actively with pattern design for the past five years, and my designs have found their way to international fashion and accessory brands through agents and design competitions.

The “Flowergarden” pattern was born after photographing flowers in all their colors one spring at the botanical garden in Málaga. The palms and exotic blooms inspired a color palette that blends the freshness of spring with the warmth of tropical air and a touch of sunshine.