Bending Pattern Swatches with Objects & Paths

[default6ove6zzsc7ar]

I've been trying to use pattern swatches to speed up my workflow recently but due to my limited experience with them, I've been running into a bunch of problems using them. 

If, for example, I was using the tile in the screenshot below and I wanted it to follow the bend or curve of the spline next to it, how would I do it? Right now it's acting like a clipping mask over the pattern and I can't even get it to follow the curve of shapes when I try to apply it as a fill or outline.

 Here's what my pattern menu looks like:

In the transform menu, it's set to "Transform Both." I tried getting the same effect by creating a pattern brush but it distorts too much. If you have any suggestions or know how to fix this problem I'd really appreciate your input.

[Doug A Roberts]

I would have said pattern brush but for your final comment. What do you need it to look like?

[default6ove6zzsc7ar]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for your interest. I want the pattern to follow a curve without distorting. I realize some distortion will occur due to the curve, but my goal is to make it as minimal as possible.

While using a pattern brush it typically is pretty good except for on the more curved segments such as the elbows.

For example, if I had a four-line pattern solely consisting of filled black lines that were alternating with filled white lines of the same width, I want to be able to curve them to do things like in the photo below:

(Photo from Shutterstock)

My initial goal was to be able to do this with lines filled with the pattern but I'm not sure if that's possible.

I might try getting the same effect using some of the Envelope Distort tools but I fear they'll distort or have the results same as the things I've tried previously that haven't worked.

[default6ove6zzsc7ar]

Just tried a few things using envelope distortion and none of them work

[default6ove6zzsc7ar]

The closest I've been able to come to what I want is by using envelope distort make with warp in terms of retaining the patterns but I want to be able to manipulate the patterns with splines for simplicity.

This is a different pattern but here's kind of what I want it to look like:

[Monika Gause]

Like this with effects: 

[Mike_Gondek]

First one is a pattern fil on a rectnagle, then effect >> warp >> arc >> 100%

Second one is expanded, then pathfinder >> divide &pathfinder >> unite, then the warp arc applied

[default6ove6zzsc7ar]

This is helpful, but the whole point is I want to be able to manipulate the pattern with minimal distortion on a spline so I can make more complicated curving patterns.

The Threads login screen is a pretty good example of the overall effect I want to achieve.

[Monika Gause]

Please make a sketch. 

[Mike_Gondek]

Scatter Brush align rotate to path

[default6ove6zzsc7ar]

That's exactly what I was trying to do! Thank you so much. Before I mark this as the answer, how do I edit how often it repeats so it smoothly transitions like yours does? I tried what you suggested and there are too few copies in mine

[Monika Gause]

Scatter brushes will not bend with the path.

[default6ove6zzsc7ar]

Yes, I know, but how do I increase the number of times it 'scatters' or clones?

[Doug A Roberts]

Decrease the size slider.

[Monika Gause]

Figured it out. You would need to experiment a little with brushes.

You need art brushes made of parallel lines. In my example 2 of them. They need to be matched to the size of your art. In that video I am using the brushes panel and the Appearance panel.

https://youtu.be/4cybnk7arXw