The Star of Czech Patchwork: Jana Dušková

November 19, 2024 / 9:50 AM

The magic of colorful fabric pieces captivated me when I was just a teenager. The first time I held a German Burda magazine in my hands, I couldn’t imagine how anyone could create such beautiful works like the patchwork quilts I saw in its pages. So, you can probably guess that when I had my first chance to try the art of patchwork sewing by hand, I simply couldn’t resist.

My name is Jana Dušková, and I have been professionally dedicated to patchwork for 20 years. Since 1 September 2024 my beloved hobby has officially become my full-time job. I live in Tišnov, where, in September 2004, I organized my very first patchwork exhibition and shared my creations with the public for the first time. That same autumn, I became a patchwork instructor and launched courses for beginners.

Since then, more than 1,500 people have attended my patchwork courses for beginners and advanced learners alike. In 2023, I began offering online patchwork courses, a wonderful way for me to share my knowledge and skills with you, no matter the distance between us. You can work on your projects from the comfort of your own home, surrounded by all your necessary tools.

The women who learn patchwork with me often continue practicing the craft and return to my courses time and time again. Patchwork is not just about sewing; it’s about building a community of like-minded women who support and inspire each other, forming lasting friendships along the way.

The enthusiasm of my regular students motivates me to create new and exciting projects for advanced patchworkers, such as Quilt 52 + 1 Block or Star to Star: Sew a Quilt with Me which will be exhibited at the 17th Brno Patchwork Meeting and whose patterns you can still buy.

I am still fascinated by colorful combinations, just as I was as a young girl admiring palettes of crayons, watercolor sets, and other vibrant art supplies in stationery stores. Later, I found the same fascination in the beautiful color arrangements of eyeshadow palettes. This passion has never left me, and today I enjoy creating fabric bundles for my clients, tailoring them to their specific projects and selling them through my e-shop.

You can also curate your own fabric combinations from my e-shop’s selection. In addition to fabrics, I offer a wide range of patchwork tools and supplies, such as quilting threads, interfacings, and more. As a tester for sewing machines from Bernina, JUKI, Gritzner, and Baby Lock, I’m happy to assist you in choosing the right machine for your needs.

For those who don’t have the opportunity to start their own patchwork projects, I offer finished patchwork products. You can order table runners, tablecloths, cushions, or even large bedspreads and quilts made to your specifications. I keep only a small number of ready-made items in stock, but you can find inspiration in my e-shop gallery, which showcases my 20 years of work.

I present my projects and courses under the brand Patchwork Star. I am thrilled to announce that I have been selected as the "Star of Czech Classics" for next year! I will be showcasing my creations at the 17th International Creative and Textile Exhibition Brno Patchwork Meeting, held 25–27 April 2025 at the Brno Exhibition Center.

I hope to meet many of you in person at this event. I’ll be available throughout the exhibition to answer your questions, sell patchwork products, or sign you up for courses. Every visit will mean the world to me and will support the growth of my brand, www.patchwork-star.cz, which has been serving you for 20 years.

Also follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchwork.star/ and Facebooku: https://www.facebook.com/patchworkjana.cz/

Workshop: English Paper Piecing

Learn this unique technique that pushes limits of standard patchwork. You can use any tiny scraps and make patterns, that other hand or machine techniques never achieve.