True story. When I started selling The Espadrilles Kits I checked in with Jen Hewett. I knew she included espadrille making in her first book, Print Pattern Sew, and I wanted her to know that I was inspired by her but not wanting to infringe on her concept. She was not only gracious about it (after all, she had no plans to sell espadrille kits herself) but also so enthusiastic and supportive! Some of my earliest kits sold with Jen’s first major fabric line and we have continued to collaborate ever since. Our latest joint effort are these Fringe Supply Co. Espadrilles!
Jen’s designs are not only gorgeous but she plays with color and scale in a way that always feels fresh and modern. Everything she designs pairs vivid expression of color with simple, impactful design. Her work manages that difficult-to-capture marriage of playful and sophisticated. It’s why I’m so excited to present Fringe Supply Co. Espadrilles! As a long-time designer for the ubiquitous and ever-popular Fringe Supply co. bags, Jen’s design was a huge part of their viral success. Sadly, Fringe has since closed its doors. As Jen explains:
From 2014-2020, I designed (and sometimes printed) custom fabric for Fringe Supply Company’s popular Field Bags. When Fringe closed in 2020, its owner, Karen, asked me if I’d like the remaining pieces of fabric from our collaboration, knowing that I can always find a use for fabric. Well, now I have a few boxes of this canvas. Screenprinted by hand in Nashville, TN, this fabric is heavy and durable and perfect for a pair of espadrilles.
Yes. This classic fabric can now gain new life as a pair of espadrilles! What better way to find use for such special canvas. The Fringe Supply Co. Espadrilles from Jen Hewett are the perfect textile for this large scale wave fabric. Just look at how beautiful they turned out!
The kits will stay in the shop until the fabric is gone, I want to get as much use of these prints as possible. That means, however, that once it is gone they are gone. This is last of these wonderful prints in existence! I feel so fortunate to be able to offer such special kits. (I know I say this every time the latest Artist Series rolls around but it is also true EVERY TIME!).
Seriously, though, the Fringe Supply Co. espadrilles give us the chance to repurpose spectacular fabric into a pair of shoes. That’s some serious maker magic. The kits are priced affordably, sold here in the shop, and come with an insert with information on how to best use the panel of fabric to create espadrilles.
There are six colors to choose from
- Plum
- Ocean Blue
- Seaglass
- Charcoal
- Grass
- Black (with white waves)
As Jen mentioned, the canvas is thick (it doesn’t require interfacing) and will provide a sturdy, long-lasting shoe fabric. The prints have also been screen printed by hand in Tennessee.
I’m really happy to be able to collaborate with Jen Hewett and offer these beautiful kits. I’m so looking forward to seeing Fringe Supply Co. espadrilles pop up for Me Made May and beyond!
About Jen:
Jen Hewett is a printmaker, surface designer, 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.
Her clients include Cotton + Steel Fabrics, Princeton Architectural Press, and Fringe Supply Company. Her work has been featured in print in Better Homes and Gardens, UPPERCASE, and Pressing Matters, and online on Design*Sponge. Her first book, Print, Pattern, Sew was published by Roost Books in May 2018. Her second book, This Long Thread: Women of Color on Craft, Community and Connection, will be published Winter 2021.
When she’s not creating in her San Francisco studio, she can be found hiking, cycling on San Francisco’s less-hilly streets, or hiding out at her neighborhood wine bar.
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