"Handmade by Jens" was founded in 2023 by myself, Jens F. Østvik. 

I was born in Norway in 1989 and I grew up in a small place called Nordbråtan in Modum municipality.

I bought my first sewing machine in 2019, an Adler shoemaker machine (Adler 30-15). This machine was bought to perform simple repairs on outdoor gear. Later on, I ventured into crafting my own unique creations, and my determination to master the craftmanship of caps (especially newsboy caps) emerged. 

I use old sewing machines from the 1920s-1980 with a 1-needle straight stitch and a standard presser foot (for example Singer 201K, Naumann kl.24, Pfaff 230).

Crafting newsboy caps with sewing machines from the appropriate era brings a unique sense of satisfaction and I believe adds to the originality of the products.

I strive for excellence in my work, though the idea of perfection can be hard to define. I take great care in handcrafting my caps, with a sense of pride and affection in every stitch. Those subtle stitching quirks and the one-of-a-kind assembly, I view them as the heart of true craftsmanship. They represent the human touch, and it is what makes handmade products so perfect and unique.

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