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Print, Pattern, Sew: Block-Printing Basics + Simple Sewing Projects for an Inspired Wardrobe
Create bold block prints for a completely custom wardrobe--print fabrics, customize patterns and sew garments that truly express your own style.
Infuse your everyday style with more color, more pattern, and more personality. Printmaker and textile designer Jen Hewett presents her distinctive process for block-printing yards of fabric with garment sewing in mind. Explore the process of designing and printing fabric through step-by-step instruction on carving blocks and printing pattern repeats. Hewett makes creating custom, hand-printed fabric approachable and doable. Inspired by her California home, Hewett's designs reference the plants and landscape around her through botanical motifs, organic shapes, and a bold graphic quality. Paired with a playful use of color, the pattern designs here offer the perfect place to start with block-printing. Once you've printed your fabric, it's time to sew. With sewing patterns for simple garments and accessories, you'll discover the play between the fabric and finished project and work toward building a highly customizable wardrobe. With step-by-step photos, clear instructions, and full-size sewing patterns this is a complete guide to sewing clothes that truly reflect your style and personality.
Infuse your everyday style with more color, more pattern, and more personality. Printmaker and textile designer Jen Hewett presents her distinctive process for block-printing yards of fabric with garment sewing in mind. Explore the process of designing and printing fabric through step-by-step instruction on carving blocks and printing pattern repeats. Hewett makes creating custom, hand-printed fabric approachable and doable. Inspired by her California home, Hewett's designs reference the plants and landscape around her through botanical motifs, organic shapes, and a bold graphic quality. Paired with a playful use of color, the pattern designs here offer the perfect place to start with block-printing. Once you've printed your fabric, it's time to sew. With sewing patterns for simple garments and accessories, you'll discover the play between the fabric and finished project and work toward building a highly customizable wardrobe. With step-by-step photos, clear instructions, and full-size sewing patterns this is a complete guide to sewing clothes that truly reflect your style and personality.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published May 22, 2018
3 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Jen Hewett
3 books17 followersJen Hewett is a printmaker, surface designer, author, textile artist and teacher. A lifelong Californian, Jen combines her love of loud prints and saturated colors with the textures and light of the California landscapes to create highly-tactile, visually-layered, printed textiles.
Jen has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jen has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 22, 2019
Here's what I love most about this book: Even if you have precisely zero experience with any part of printing your own fabric patterns, you'll get everything you need to get started. From sketching out patterns to carving the blocks, all the way to deciding what pattern to print them in (even rows, bricked patterns, etc.). There's advanced techniques like two-color printing, as well, all easily explained.
It's a bonus, then, that the second half of the book actually uses the textiles you've created in part one. The patterns are mostly accessories and clothing items, with clear cutting diagrams and such. I'm not sure if the final book will have those patterns in the book itself (the digital preview copy I got from netgalley did *not* have the clothing pattern pieces included, but that may not be true for the final book), but if so, the pieces included are simple and multifunctional, and there are a few even I'd make. (And I'm not a seamstress of clothing.)
I've done a lot of block printing on paper. Even with my experience, I learned quite a bit from Jen Hewitt's experience and feel like I might just branch out a bit into fiber now. I know I'll have the tools I need because of this book. :)
It's a bonus, then, that the second half of the book actually uses the textiles you've created in part one. The patterns are mostly accessories and clothing items, with clear cutting diagrams and such. I'm not sure if the final book will have those patterns in the book itself (the digital preview copy I got from netgalley did *not* have the clothing pattern pieces included, but that may not be true for the final book), but if so, the pieces included are simple and multifunctional, and there are a few even I'd make. (And I'm not a seamstress of clothing.)
I've done a lot of block printing on paper. Even with my experience, I learned quite a bit from Jen Hewitt's experience and feel like I might just branch out a bit into fiber now. I know I'll have the tools I need because of this book. :)
August 8, 2020
I was most interested in the garment patterns in this book and was a bit disappointed. The shapes were rather basic and lacked sophistication. I had done fabric printing in art school and it wasn't a favorite of mine. But the author is enthusiastic, her visual language is bold, and her color palette is cheerful. I didn't see that the author pinned down her fabric prior to printing. And instead of all the measuring she does, I'd lay out a string grid to easily register where the next print block is laid down.
January 17, 2018
If you want to learn how to create your own printed fabric, this book is for you. The first half of the book is devoted to the basics of printing your own fabric, plus step-by-step directions for several printed fabric designs. The second half of the book contains clothing to sew using your newly printed fabric. I have to confess that when I picked up this book, I was much more interested in the clothing patterns than the printing. But, I was disappointed by the clothing items and the directions here. You would need advanced clothing construction skills to make most of the projects here. There were a few simple scarves and a bag that could be done by less experienced sewists, but the directions are not as detailed as they should be for this level. Novice sewists interested in this book may want to use the first half to make their own fabric, but then look elsewhere for projects to sew with it.
August 22, 2018
AMAZING introduction to block printing your own fabric, from first steps to finished products. This is a lot of book for the purchase price—it includes patterns to make the clothing projects in the book. I also met Jen Hewett in person, and was just as inspired by her approachability and curiosity about other makers as I am by her incredible printmaking. I'll use this book for years to come as I build my skills—and my wardrobe—using her book.
April 27, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy from NetGalley.
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but in this case the cover certainly piqued my interest. Fabric, bold prints, sewing, and, believe it or not, a non-white author on the cover! It seems like sewing and craft books in the US are nearly always by middle-aged white women, so I was pleased to see that this book would add some diversity to my crafting.
The book has two complementary parts: one on how to print fabrics with block printing techniques, and one containing patterns for clothes using the fabrics you've printed. The first part is the most interesting to me since it's teaching me something new. The sewing patterns don't appeal to me very much. I love the author's printmaking style but not the shapes she chooses for her clothes.
The first part covers preparing your fabric for printing, carving and preparing blocks, inks, applying the ink to your fabric with the block, common problems and how to fix them, and info on design and layout with prints (different types of repeating patterns, etc.).
The second part has sewing patterns for women's clothing & accessories to use up all the pretty fabrics you've learned how to make in part 1. Unfortunately, the sewing patterns aren't really to my taste or flattering for my body shape, but I do appreciate that she's chosen them to showcase the fabrics. Also, as a beginner to sewing, the garment patterns are quite difficult for me because they come in only one size and have no measurements on them whatsoever. That's right - no measurements for the sewing patterns! The physical edition of the book is supposed to include pattern sheets, though, so perhaps that will be more useful. There's no indication in the text, however, that the pattern sheets include more than one size. I'll update my review if I find out that they do.
I learned a lot about printing fabrics from this book and I'm eager to give a try! I want to try some bold colors instead of the pastels the author seems to prefer. I'm glad there are templates in the back of the book, too, because I don't have the drawing talent the author has. The sewing patterns don't add much to this book, in my opinion, but it's still a great book for its thorough handling of printmaking techniques for fabric.
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but in this case the cover certainly piqued my interest. Fabric, bold prints, sewing, and, believe it or not, a non-white author on the cover! It seems like sewing and craft books in the US are nearly always by middle-aged white women, so I was pleased to see that this book would add some diversity to my crafting.
The book has two complementary parts: one on how to print fabrics with block printing techniques, and one containing patterns for clothes using the fabrics you've printed. The first part is the most interesting to me since it's teaching me something new. The sewing patterns don't appeal to me very much. I love the author's printmaking style but not the shapes she chooses for her clothes.
The first part covers preparing your fabric for printing, carving and preparing blocks, inks, applying the ink to your fabric with the block, common problems and how to fix them, and info on design and layout with prints (different types of repeating patterns, etc.).
The second part has sewing patterns for women's clothing & accessories to use up all the pretty fabrics you've learned how to make in part 1. Unfortunately, the sewing patterns aren't really to my taste or flattering for my body shape, but I do appreciate that she's chosen them to showcase the fabrics. Also, as a beginner to sewing, the garment patterns are quite difficult for me because they come in only one size and have no measurements on them whatsoever. That's right - no measurements for the sewing patterns! The physical edition of the book is supposed to include pattern sheets, though, so perhaps that will be more useful. There's no indication in the text, however, that the pattern sheets include more than one size. I'll update my review if I find out that they do.
I learned a lot about printing fabrics from this book and I'm eager to give a try! I want to try some bold colors instead of the pastels the author seems to prefer. I'm glad there are templates in the back of the book, too, because I don't have the drawing talent the author has. The sewing patterns don't add much to this book, in my opinion, but it's still a great book for its thorough handling of printmaking techniques for fabric.
June 26, 2025
As someone who fell into a mountain of DIY hobbies at the midpoint of their master's, this book was very useful in that it allowed me to consider the applications of some of my linocut stamps: patterning fabrics for sewing projects. Which is a super cool thought!
I also really liked how this book was bound with spiral coils. More spiral-bound books for crafty-folks, please!
Jen also includes a swath of very versatile patterns at the back of her book, that can be taken out and traced for later use.
So, the book & it's contents: very relevant, useful, and inspiring. :) Will I be doing these exact crafts for my own work? I'm not inclined to say yes (right now), but will keep her work in mind for future projects.
I also really liked how this book was bound with spiral coils. More spiral-bound books for crafty-folks, please!
Jen also includes a swath of very versatile patterns at the back of her book, that can be taken out and traced for later use.
So, the book & it's contents: very relevant, useful, and inspiring. :) Will I be doing these exact crafts for my own work? I'm not inclined to say yes (right now), but will keep her work in mind for future projects.
December 29, 2020
Very inspirational book. Contains detailed instructions about block printing, and a comprehensive guide for all the materials and tools needed to start. I loved the designs in the book, Jen does a great job keeping the topic light and funny, and after reading through, I’m very motivated to try my own projects.
March 11, 2022
I really loved the patterns, colors, and fabrics that Hewett uses. Also, the clothes she makes look very comfortable and very pretty! It's a really great idea and I loved it all even though I don't have the tools or the materials but I really liked reading it so maybe one day I will come back to it and do it.
July 17, 2020
I was mostly interested in the “print” and “pattern” sections for my purposes— gathering info on block printing for fabric. The writing is clear and informative, the information is solid and helpful, and I look forward to putting it into practice with my own projects.
October 16, 2021
A very good, well-explained introduction to block printing and beginner clothing sewing projects. I really liked the author's personality and Gus, her canine companion. :-) I do wish the chapter with the tutorials had at least some step-by-step pictures to go along with the written instructions.
June 5, 2019
I’m more interested in her patterns than the printing, surprisingly! I need this book to sew the patterns.
February 10, 2021
If someone could buy me this book I'd love them forever
February 26, 2026
I had a blast doing these activities!! I can’t wait to do more!!!!!
February 20, 2018
Firstly, this is a fabulous book, well written, beautifully photographed and very creative.
Like the author, I travelled from screenprinting, to paper printing and tried fabric block printing, but my journey in this realm started late in life, so I am still experimenting.
This book explains a great deal about printing onto fabric and the fact that the fabric can be made into beautiful garments which are unique and stylish. There are patterns in the book but the idea is to create a article of clothing that is your own, and there is information on doing this.
A great book both for a beginner or experienced person.
Like the author, I travelled from screenprinting, to paper printing and tried fabric block printing, but my journey in this realm started late in life, so I am still experimenting.
This book explains a great deal about printing onto fabric and the fact that the fabric can be made into beautiful garments which are unique and stylish. There are patterns in the book but the idea is to create a article of clothing that is your own, and there is information on doing this.
A great book both for a beginner or experienced person.
March 2, 2018
I love this book! It shows a step by step tutorial of how to create your own unique textiles. It will support you every step on the way to finishing your creation. The book includes printing techniques, templates as well as sewing tutorials. Colourful floral prints suggestes by Jen Hewett will brighten up your life! Great book for all crafters out there!
June 16, 2018
What an adorable instructional book about - you guessed it - prints, patterns, and sewing. this book intrigued me because i think it would amazing to amazing to not only wear clothing that you have sewn, but also a printed pattern that you envisioned yourself. This book was easy to follow and understand, and I can see it being a super fun read for a few of my thrift shopping friends.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!
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July 6, 2018646.4 H598 2018
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews