Illustrator Surface Pattern Design (issue)

[Sinead Claxton_32.]

Hello, 

Ever since I updated illustrator I am having an issue creating surface pattern prints. I have been creating them in the standard way (which worked for me no problem until I updated)

When I add my swatch to the swatchs panel, for a repeat pattern it is inclusing the white space around the design. I'm geting a big white box included. I feel it might be on setting in my preferences that I need to change, but can't figure out which one. 

It is driving me mad and I badly need help ! 

Thank you.

Sinead.

[Sinead Claxton_32.]

I create my file the same way, I'll send a file for you to compare.

[Sinead Claxton_32.]

I copied the file to your work 

[Ton Frederiks]

I don't see a file. Can you share a link?

[Sinead Claxton_32.]

Named Surface design issue

Ton please see link above.

[Monika Gause]

My image from above was an example. I don't know what is the case with your rectangle, but there is something applied to it.

What you can do is delete all appearances in the appearance panel. And then it also works to make a pattern.

[Ton Frederiks]

I cannot see what is special about the nofill/no stroke rectangle, but it seems to have an appearance (like Monika spotted).

Select it and choose Clear Appearance from the Appearance panel menu and the pattern can be made as expected.

It looks like a corrupted document.

[Sinead Claxton_32.]

Ton and Monic, my god it works ! So strange a million thank you's for your help.

I understand, that this might be a corrupted document, but why is this happening with some prints I create and not with others? Is there any thing I can do to avoid this in the future? 

Or is it best to check the appearance panel each time?

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Why this happens is a mystery to me, but the red rectangle had the same mystery appearance as the empty one in the back.

When things go wrong, you can check the Appearance panel and fix it

[Sinead Claxton_32.]

Thank you for your help, much appreciated.