Getting to know Simone Deckers, creator, printer and owner of Femke Textiles.
This month’s Behind the Mesh steps inside the vibrant world of Simone Deckers, the creative force behind Femke Textiles. From seventeen years in nursing to a full pivot into textile design, Simone has carved out a practice that fuses colour, fabric, and hand-printed magic. Her journey is one of bold career shifts, saying yes (sometimes to too much!), and discovering the power of community and experimentation. Whether she’s hand-printing metres of fabric for boutique hotels or teaching newcomers the joy of pulling their first print, Simone brings a mix of grit, humour, and artistry to everything she does.
Let’s dive in.
Keep up with Simone on:
Instagram: @femketextiles
Website: https://femketextiles.com.au/
About Simone
List 3 things about yourself – fun facts, hobbies, pets or interests
- I was a nurse for 17 years before I changed careers to Textile Design.
- I have always wanted to be a rally car driver.
- My favourite food is mangoes.
Describe your screen printing journey. How and when did you get started and what has been your biggest learning experience?
I have always loved fabric, pattern and colour and so when I discovered that you could study Textile Design and create your own fabric, I jumped right in! I concentrated on majoring in screen printing while studying at RMIT and started my own textile design business as soon as I graduated in 2014. Most of my screenprinting journey since studying has been learning through trial and error and perfecting my craft in my little studio.
The biggest learning experience was saying yes to a very large production run of cushion covers and table runners, screenprinting and sewing all in house and realising that maybe I can’t do it all!
Tell us about your proudest screen printing project. What made it special and what did you learn from it?
I screen printed many metres of fabric that were sewn into cushion covers for all the suites at The Interlude, a boutique hotel at Pentridge Coburg. The fabrics feature gum leaves, gumnut flowers and wattle, all found in the local area and along Merri Creek. It feels very special knowing that my designs and cushions feature in each suite, showcasing some of the local flora and all Australian made!
I learnt a lot about production printing and sewing on this project!
Industry
What are your thoughts on the current trends in screen printing? Do you see any emerging styles or techniques that excite you?
I’m not a big one for keeping up with current trends, and get most of my screen printing industry information from following other printers on Instagram, including your (Jones Brothers) informative Instagram and blog posts!
What role does the online community play in your screen printing practice? How do you connect with other printers and share knowledge?
The online community is very important to me as a solo small business owner. I connect with other printers on Instagram mostly and I run workshops to share what I know with budding new printers and people that are interested in learning more about screen printing. I think it’s really important to be able to share knowledge. There is always a different way to do something that I hadn’t previously thought about, especially working mostly solo, and so sharing ideas also means learning!
Shop Floor
What is your most treasured product or piece of equipment on the floor that has made your life easier as a printer? Why?
My heat guns! I don’t have much space for a flash dryer around my print table, so using heat guns speeds up the yardage printing process greatly.
What is on your wish list for your shop floor this year?
If I had a bigger studio space, I would love a flash dryer!
Advice
What advice would you give to aspiring screen printers? What are the essential skills and qualities for success in this field?
Practice makes perfect, but the ‘mistakes’ are usually treasures that teach you something you had not considered previously. I think patience and a good eye for colour and design are definitely qualities that help lead you towards success. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment and break the rules!
Ask lots of questions and just start. You don’t need a lot of expensive equipment to start! I always tell my students in my workshops that they can achieve so much at home with just a blank screen, stencils, some ink and a surface to print on. So much fun in learning and experimenting!
Bonus
What’s your go-to playlist for a productive printing session?
I don’t have one! I work in a warehouse with other creatives and enjoy listening to the sounds of people working/moving around the warehouse while I’m working.
What is the weirdest/funniest artwork you’ve had to print?
Perhaps a gift for a friend who had a baby some years ago, …..a jumpsuit with the words ‘cooked unit’ screenprinted onto the front (as requested by my friend)!
Conclusion
Simone’s story is a reminder that screenprinting isn’t just about ink and mesh—it’s about resilience, curiosity, and the thrill of creating something that leaves a mark, literally and figuratively. From mango-loving dreamer of rally car tracks to a printer whose designs live in boutique hotel suites, she embodies the messy, rewarding, rule-breaking spirit of this craft. Follow her journey at @femketextiles or femketextiles.com.au, and keep an eye out—because in Simone’s world, the next print could be her biggest adventure yet.
