Making Meaning
Design Your Year with a Hex Signs Pattern Class in January
When I first began punch needling, it was because I was looking for a medium to create a series of Pennsylvania Dutch Hex signs. I was introduced and drawn to them through my own Mennonite Heritage and its association with the Pennsylvania Germans (nope, they aren’t actually Dutch!)
A hex sign is a traditional form of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, often associated with the Amish and Mennonite communities. These decorative signs, typically found on barns or homes, originally portrayed either Schtanne (stars) or Blumme (flowers). You may have also heard them referred to as barn stars.
Opinions on whether Hex Signs were intended as wards or talismans – to bring good luck, protection and blessings – or are “chust for nice,” are divided. But scholars generally believe barn stars were only assigned symbolic meanings after they gained popularity in the 1950’s with folk artists such as Johnny Ott, and began appearing on a wide range of tourist items.
That being said, Hex Signs, and other Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, such as Fraktur, do contain similar traditional motifs that represent common themes. For instance, four pointed elements are associated with the four seasons or the Christian cross, stars with luck, and the Tulip ,with its three points, can represent the holy trinity as well as faith, hope and charity.
Of course, whether there is inherent meaning behind these designs depends on the intention of the maker. When I draw or punch a Hex Sign, I do find meaning in the specific combination of symbols, colors, and shapes, just as I find meaning in the making of them.
Most of my hex signs to date have been reproductions of common signs, but I have been wanting to create a series of hex signs that have more personal meaning to me, and I recently realized that I wanted to design a hex sign in 2024 based on my word of the year.
I will choose symbols and motifs that represent my word and combine them to create my pattern. Not only can I reflect on my intention for the year as I am designing and making my personal sign, but also as I look on it throughout the year.
And this, my friends, had me thinking you might like to join me. So I’ve designed a Hex Sign Pattern Design Course for us!
Not only do I think this is the perfect creative challenge to start 2024 with, and a fun way to really connect with your intention for the coming year, but I also want this to be a huge confidence builder for those of you who are hesitant to design your own patterns, or who feel like you “can’t draw” (psst, I have alternatives for that).
The course will look something like this:
Pre-Class | Dec 22: The Anatomy of a Hex Sign.
Week 1 | Dec 29: Choose your Word of the Year | A worksheet for reflection as well as a list of 30 ideas.
Week 2 | Jan 5: Pairing your word with visual representations | How to brainstorm symbols for your word, including ideas for the list of 30 previously provided.
Week 3 | Jan 12: Gathering reference images for the symbols you brainstormed.
Week 4 | Jan 19: Putting the Hex Sign together | Tips for drawing (or tracing) and assembling your pattern in Procreate or on Paper | A template | A copy of my pattern for you to use as you wish.
Week 5 | Jan 26: Ideas for crafting your sign | I’ll be making mine three ways.
Week 8 | Feb 15: Let’s gather in the chat for office hours and share our patterns, ask questions, and celebrate another year of making in 2024!
How to Join
Good news! If you’re already a paid subscriber you’ll automatically receive the course in your inbox and have access whenever you like.
Still only on the free plan? Get the course, and other creative content, by joining Midnight Musings.
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