Last summer, we turned to the heart of Esembly—you, our community—to help create something truly special. We put out the call for you all to submit a print design for our Fan Favorites Collection, and the response was incredible. Among the many beautiful, thoughtful entries we received, one design stood out for its charm, creativity, and fresh take on a beloved tradition.

We’re thrilled to introduce you to Ella Howman, the talented artist behind ‘Quilted’—a joyful, modern homage to slow-made textiles and timeless patchwork. Ella’s design now lives across both our Baby and Home collections, from Outers and Ditty Bags to Sourdough Sets and Bowl Caps.

We sat down with Ella to learn more about her creative process, what inspired “Quilted,” and how it feels to see her artwork come to life!

Esembly: What made you want to participate in a contest like this one?

Ella: I thought it was a great fit for me and my design skills. I love print design, especially prints for children’s products so it was a perfect invitation to have fun getting creative with colour and shape. I also hoped that it could be a good opportunity to get my name out there as a designer. I’ve only really dabbled in design over the years, but I would love to work more seriously in the field.

Esembly: What inspired the design?

Ella: I designed ‘Quilted’ with a mixture of traditional and modern quilting as inspiration. I picked a fresh colour palette and focused on shapes and motifs that are reminiscent of both a traditional hand-pieced quilt and modern applique. I wanted ‘Quilted’ to feel playful and modern with a classic edge. My love for the beauty of slow-made homey textiles definitely shows in ‘Quilted’.

Esembly: What was your reaction when you found out your design had been selected?

Ella: I was overjoyed, filled with gratitude and perhaps a little surprised too! It felt surreal that little old me could possibly have won. It was really affirming of my artistic ability to create illustrations and prints professionally. Working with Esembly on the launch has been so exciting, and to see my design printed on a beautiful range of products makes me rosy-cheeked!

Esembly: How did it feel to see Quilted not just as a file on your computer, but as a real product out in the world?

Ella: When I saw the final fabric for the first time I could only smile. It’s a totally different thing to see and feel your design on a product, to see how the scale works, and the colours came out. I was pleased to see how the design suited both the diaper covers as well as bowl caps, sourdough sets and ditty bags. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how the Esembly mums, dads and kitchen dwellers enjoy and style the design in their homes!

Esembly: Do you have any advice for other emerging artists or illustrators who are just starting to share their work with the world?

Ella: My advice would be to just start where you are right now. You don’t have to have it all together or have every process worked out before you begin working with people. Having a portfolio of work is useful but it doesn’t have to be huge. It will grow as you do. The world of design can feel big and overwhelming, but I’d remind them that there is a place for their work in the world and it’s worth creating.

Esembly: We hear you have a baby coming soon, what has it been like preparing for your baby while celebrating this design milestone?

Ella: I’m proud of myself in a different way with a little person coming soon. I’m excited to show them that I have a creative identity and that they can too if they want. I hope to show them that leading a creative life, not just in what we make, but also in the way we live and think, is a worthwhile pursuit. Winning the Esembly competition at such a big time in my personal life has felt like such a gift and lesson in growth and creativity and putting yourself out there!

Esembly: What are some of your favorite Esembly prints (aside from Quilted!) and/or products?

Ella: I adore the recent Flora Waycott prints as well as the Phoebe Wahl prints. Two artists I admire and am very excited to be alongside at Esembly. In our house we use the bowl caps all the time. They are such a great way to save on using single use plastic in the kitchen. I cover everything with them, and they always come out of the wash beautifully.

Esembly: Has this experience sparked any new creative dreams or ideas you’re excited to explore?

Ella: Ever since I created my first print designs at university, I’ve loved it deeply. I’ve dipped my toe in over the years, but I’d love to work more seriously in the field. Because of this experience, I decided to set up a website with my own work so that I could reach more people and share my work. Creating print and surface designs for other companies is something I’d love to do as I continue to develop my art practice.