From a drawing in 'Studies for Stories', Jean Ingelow, 1864.
Source Firkin
Prismatic Groovy Concentric Background 4 No Black
Source GDJ
From a drawing in 'Cassell's Library of English Literature', Henry Morley, 1883.
Source Firkin
A heavy dark gray base, some subtle noise and a 45-degree grid makes this look like a pattern with a tactile feel to it.
Source Atle Mo
From a tile that can be had by selecting the rectangle in Inkscape and using shift+alt+i.
Source Firkin
Not a flat you live inside, like in the UK – but a flat piece of cardboard.
Source Appleshadow
One of the few full-color patterns here, but this one was just too good to pass up.
Source Alexey Usoltsev
The classic 45-degree diagonal line pattern, done right.
Source Jorick van Hees
This ons is quite old school looking. Retro, even. I like it.
Source Arno Declercq
Prismatic Polka Dots Mark II 2 No Background
Source GDJ
From a design found in 'History of the Virginia Company of London; with letters to and from the first Colony, never before printed', Edward Neill, 1869.
Source Firkin
Prismatic Polyskelion Pattern No Background
Source GDJ
Vector version of a png that was uploaded to Pixabay by pencilparker
Source Firkin
Luxurious looking pattern (for a T-shirt maybe?) with a hint of green.
Source Simon Meek
This is a remix of "blue wave-seigaiha".I hope this subtle color version of Seigaiha would be suitable for background .
Source Yamachem
Don’t look at this one too long if you’re high on something.
Source Luuk van Baars
A background pattern with a look of rough fabric.
Source V. Hartikainen
From a drawing in 'Jardyne's Wife', Charles Wills, 1891.
Source Firkin
A seamless pattern from a tile drawn in Paint.net and vectorised in Vector Magic
Source Firkin
Detailed but still subtle and quite original. Lovely gray shades.
Source Kim Ruddock
Abstract Stars Geometric Pattern Prismatic No Background
Source GDJ
The square tile this is based on can be had by selecting the rectangle in Inkscape and using shift+alt+i
Source Firkin
The basic shapes never get old. Simple triangle pattern.
Source Atle Mo
Prismatic Snowflakes Pattern 2 No Background
Source GDJ
I asked Gjermund if he could make a pattern for us – result!
Source Gjermund Gustavsen