I am an artist, designer, and teacher based in Oakland, California. My background in anthropology and community organizing inform my creative work, which I approach with a critical, queer, fat positive agenda.

As a designer, I am inspired by bodies and by the ways clothes communicate and bring us into relationship with communities and people, both through the process of making them and wearing them out in the world. I began making my own clothes because I could not find the things I wanted to wear in my size; I began designing because I found a community of makers who shared this experience and needed patterns to guide them. I am grateful every day that I get to do this work and that people continue to find meaning in it!

I live with two tiny dogs, Raii & Nix, who are the center of my world. I love being in water, cooking for friends & chosen family, and collaborating on all kinds of creative projects. I am a non-binary dyke and my pronouns are they/them.

FOLLOW ME

I have a newsletter, Notes from the studio, where I announce new patterns & classes and write about patternmaking, fashion, art, & building community as a fat dyke. ♡

You can also follow me on Instagram @jaqcieslak.

PATTERN SUPPORT

All my patterns have been test knit and professionally tech edited for fit, accuracy, and clarity. If you have a question, details about pattern support can be found on my website.