How to Create a Vintage Frame Using the Pattern Brush in Illustrator

Creating a pattern brush, even by experienced Illustrator users,   causes some difficulties. In today’s tutorial I will tell you how to   create such a brush. To create ornamental elements, we will be using the   InkScribe Tool (DrawScribe plugin) that will help us work at our best.

Step 1

Let’s begin our tutorial creating the elements of an ornament pattern   of the vintage frame. To create an ornament, I prefer to use the   InkScribe Tool (DrawScribe plugin),   because this tool allows us to work more quickly and accurately than   the good old Pen Tool (P). You will see this in the course of our work.   So, take the InkScribe Tool and create a path, which consists of four   straight-line segments.

As you can see, the segments have Ghost Handles. These are simple   handles that a Bezier curve features, that are not active due to the   handle be retracted to the associated point (typically creating a   straight segment when the opposing handle is also retracted). Create a   shape of a leaf and make it symmetrical. Now we will do a trick that   will help you to create dynamic symmetric shapes. Select the created   path, then go to Effect > Transform & Distort > Transform… and set the parameters shown in the picture below.

Step 2

Now, if we activate one of the Ghost Handles with the help of the   InkScribe Tool, we will see that our shape changes symmetrically. Even   though this trick has its limitations, it allows us to properly assess   the symmetrical shape as a whole while we modify it.

By manipulating the curve’s handles and the point’s positions, modify the shape to the profile shown in the following picture.

Step 3

As you know, we only have one path. The left half of the shape is   just his reflection acheived with the help of the live effect. For our   future work, we will need to make it editable. Go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Ungroup the resultant objects twice, then select the upper tangency   points of the paths and unite them (Command / Ctrl + J). Perform the   same actions with the lower tangency points of the paths.

Now the leaf shape is one closed path.

You can read full version of this tutorial on AstuteGraphics.com