Featured maker: Jen Hewett
Renowned textile designer and block printing expert.
January: PATTERN PLAY
Hello makers,
Today I’m shining a spotlight on Jen Hewett, a printmaker, surface designer, textile artist, teacher, sewer and author based in the Hudson Valley in New York State. I think I first discovered her work on Instagram in 2014 when she was doing a “52 weeks of printmaking” project. I’m a big fan of these sort of long-form projects that allow you to push your creativity over a set time period (hello Seek To Make!). You never know where it will take you. I’m sure Jen probably didn’t know it at the time, but that project lead her to teaching and to writing her first book - Print, Pattern & Sew!
Jen’s passion for sewing inspired her to explore creating her own fabric designs. She learned how to screen print her designs onto smaller pieces of fabric, but when it came to inking up fabric by the metre for garment-making, she turned to block printing.
Over time, Jen has gone from designing her own fabric for her own garments, to designing fabric lines like “Endpaper” for the likes of Ruby Star Society. How amazing is that!
Jen runs a few in person classes (one is even called Pattern Play), but she also has lots of online classes and two fantastic books. Check it all out at JenHewett.com.
Week 1 and Week 52 of Jen Hewett’s “52 weeks of printmaking” project, 2014.
Creating repeat patterns - from an article on Etsy about inspiring workspaces.
Field Bag for Fringe Supply Co.
Headlands, part of the Imagined Landscapes collection for Cotton + Steel Fabrics.
Endpaper fabric collection for Ruby Star Society.
And just finally, I absolutely love what Jen said in an interview with Kyle of CreativeMornings about hobbies:
Have them! They can be totally unrelated to your work. You don’t need to monetize them (in fact, it’s best if you don’t). We need to have joy and fun and rest in our lives in order to be our most creative. Hobbies offer us all of those things.
If you’re having a go at this months project, I’d love to see what patterns you create! Or if you know someone that would love to join in on our Seek To Make journey, please let them know about this newsletter as I’m no good and figuring out the algorithm ;)
Happy making,
Esta
Seek to Make is an exploration of creativity and making. Each month, I share a monthly theme around making, showcase inspiring makers, share tips, tools and encouragement. Together let's get curious and immerse ourselves in the art of making!
I love Jen Hewett's work and absolutely agree with her comment about hobbies. We need to have them.