In this month’s Designer Spotlight, we’re thrilled to introduce you to someone who embodies the heart of creativity, resilience, and joy that keeps our quilting community blooming—Erin from Hexenhaus Co. ✨
Here at QuiltInk, it means the world to us to stand beside new designers as they take their first steps, grow, and shine within our community. Supporting and celebrating their journey is one of the things we cherish most. And Erin’s story is one of those that instantly inspires.
Balancing her full-time career in educational publishing, motherhood, and her passion for quilting, Erin is the creative force behind the Quilt Brew™ pattern series—a fresh, adventurous take on modern quilting. Her thoughtful approach to pattern writing, love for high-contrast color, and desire to make quilting accessible to everyone make her an exciting voice in the world of quilt design.
We’re so happy to have her as part of QuiltInk and even prouder to spotlight her as she continues building something truly special.
Personal Background
Erin, as we dive into your story, could you provide a snapshot of who you are and take us on the journey that led you to where you are today?
I design my quilt patterns in the evening, as I balance a full-time career in educational publishing and life as a busy mom. Home base is in eastern Pennsylvania where my family resides in a historic stone home. My husband and I have quite the rambunctious household with two daughters and two rescue dogs. Our house has been a labor of love over the past couple of years as we are slowly restoring it to its former glory with historic touches of the 1800s.
Quilting Journey
When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
As a seasoned educator, I was inspired to create quilts for our daughters. Each handmade quilt designed around their favorite storybook characters. Through quilting and books, I quickly realized the power of handmade. My passion for my family, children’s literature, and cherished heirlooms set in motion my love of quilting. My artistic expression started with whole cloth applique quilts and then quickly evolved into traditionally pieced quilts. As soon as I figured out quilt math, everything seemed to click.
Pattern Designing
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns? How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
My style changed over time as I learned more about the craft. With a background in graphic design and education, I desired to bring my own quilt designs to life. I quickly discovered that writing quilt patterns allowed me the freedom of self-expression and creativity that I craved. I released my first pattern in June 2024 and have been hooked on writing ever since. My creative process often begins with design spurts, inspired by history and/or the world around me. When I have these spurts of creativity, I quickly draft my ideas on paper or on my computer. These ideas are then refined over time and grow into a design concept for a complete quilt pattern.
Style and Aesthetics
How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
I love a good challenge, so I decided to launch Quilt Brew™ which is a “choose your own adventure” pattern series for the modern quilter. My Quilt Brew™ patterns offer a flexible design and limitless possibilities as quilters can mix and match blocks or transform them to create their own quilt designs. Giving quilters the freedom of expression and opportunity really inspires my transformative brand. I write my patterns for a confident beginner because it’s important to me that the designs are accessible to all. You will often find that my designs have sharp lines and points because I love the dramatic effect they exude.
Color
How does color play a role in your pattern designing? Do you have a favorite color? Are there certain color combinations you find particularly appealing?
I usually begin the design process with two colors and over time I refine the look and feel with color. I am drawn towards natural tones and love to design two-to-three-color quilts that are high contrast. Black and white quilts are my absolute favorite! I also love a classic red & white color combination. I’m usually drawn to warm colors instead of cool colors, but I can’t seem to stop designing with greens so I guess my color style is still evolving.
Business Activities
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?
(Membership, notions, courses, etc)
This is just the beginning of Hexen Haus’ Quilt Brew™ story as I plan to continue to grow and expand my offerings. With a full-time career and life as a busy mom, I desire to provide an easily accessible community which promotes inspiration and togetherness for the busy quilter who struggles with work/life balance; a place where quilters feel empowered by the craft and can choose their own journey.
Online Presence
Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?
Most of my work is shared on Instagram. You will see little cameos of my family members in my quilt videos, because they love to help; even our two dogs join in on the fun!
Website: www.hexenhaus.co
Instagram: @hexenhaus.co & @quiltbrew
Upcoming Projects
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?
My most recent pattern is called MAIDAN, inspired by my childhood stay in Ukraine. All the pattern proceeds were donated to UnitedHelpUkraine.org to assist in providing humanitarian aid. I have two patterns releasing in Make Modern magazine; one in the May issue and the second in the November issue. I feel so honored to have the opportunity to share my work in this publication because it has always been a dream of mine. I am also working on expanding my Night Folly pattern to celebrate Halloween, which is my favorite holiday. By adding to the Night Folly adventure, quilters will have even more freedom to stitch up something festive!
QuiltInk Experience
How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business? Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?
QuiltInk is an innovative platform that provides design solutions and community for the modern quilter. As a designer, I love to utilize the private room feature before a pattern is released. It gives my testing community and shop sponsors a space to collaborate during the creation step before a pattern is published. We all love this part of the process; it’s almost addicting! I will be forever grateful to QuiltInk’s Catalina and tech man for welcoming me into this community. QuiltInk’s support means the world to me and I’m proud to be an active member and supporter.