Wood block printing for textiles - full day workshop
Description
In this engaging workshop, you'll learn the traditional craft of wood block printing, creating your own uniquely patterned textile pieces using authentic hand-carved Indian blocks. You'll discover how to design striking patterns and develop beautiful colour combinations while crafting personalised textile items to take home. Perfect for anyone interested in textile arts, this relaxing activity requires no previous experience. You can either have our studio to yourself or book a workshop for you and a friend, partner or family member. Your expert tutor Joanna will guide you through the entire creative process, from understanding pattern design to mastering printing techniques. You'll gain confidence as you learn how different colours work together and how to make the most of your printing space. During the session, you'll have access to an extensive collection of over 100 traditional wood blocks featuring botanical, animal, and geometric motifs. Some are contemporary designs and others have been salvaged from the Indian textile industry. Working in a calm, supportive environment, you'll begin by experimenting with various designs and colours. Your tutor will provide individual guidance as you develop your ideas, ensuring you feel confident before moving on to your final piece. This fulfilling workshop will nurture your artistic sensibilities while teaching you a time-honoured printing technique. By the end of the session, you'll have developed practical textile printing skills, and will have created a beautiful handmade item—perfect either as a thoughtful gift or a treasured addition to your own home. The structure: - 15 min introduction and demonstration by tutor. - 45min: practice printing with the wood blocks and experiment with patterns, borders and placement prints. - 1.5hr: choose your first textile piece and plan out your design. Bring your design ideas to life! - 45min: lunch break (at 12.30). - 2.5hr: design more textile pieces (1 or 2 depending on your speed). - 15min: tidy up. You are welcome to bring your own textiles but please ensure that they are made from cotton or linen, are washed and ironed. After the workshop, you will receive our guidance information to help you continue with printing. It is full of great tips and advice on equipment and supplies. Location: we have a spacious light-filled studio based in the beautiful riverside park of Dukes Meadows in West London.
What's included in the price?
The workshop includes all equipment and paint. To give you flexibility, it is 'pay as you go' for the textile and card pieces. The options are: Tea towel, cushion cover, apron, shopping bag, drawstring gift bags and zip purses. We provide teas/coffee and biscuits. Please bring your own lunch or head to the café 5 minutes walk away. We provide aprons but you may want to wear old clothes as we are using textile paint.
Duration
6 hours
Cancellation policy
Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts
Maker
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Teenagers
- Wheelchair users
- Hearing impaired
- Romantic
- Parking provided
- Christmas
- Tutor can travel
- Mother's Day
- Suitable for beginners
- Intermediate level
- Public transport
FAQs
Indian wood block printing is ancient technique originally used for printing textiles. Today, smaller blocks are carved for crafting and art but still made in the traditional way. They are carved from Sheesham wood, a native Indian hardwood. The designs are chiseled out by hand and then the blocks are soaked in mustard oil to improve their water resistance. In our workshops we use new Fairtrade blocks from India or reclaimed blocks from the textile industry. In our kits we use wood blocks specially commissioned for our company.
We usually include free tea and coffee in our workshops. There are a couple of cafés for lunch options nearby.
We run friendly and relaxed workshops where you can be inspired and get creative. Our adult workshops are very accessible for beginners, with your tutor guiding you through the steps. You do not need to have done any art or craft before.
There is also plenty of opportunity to advance for those who are more confident and have done printing before. We can tailor our workshop experience to suit you!
Are you looking to celebrate a special occasion? We can host a workshop for your special event, birthday, wedding, or baby shower.
We offer private workshops in London only. We can host your group (max no. 8) at our studio in Chiswick or we can come to your venue for more people. The minimum number is 5 people.
Please note our workshops are for 16+ years only.
For more information get in touch via the 'message the tutor' button.
Our wood blocks are either Fairtrade and carved by hand in India or salvaged from the textile industry. They're made from a very hard dense wood called Sheesham wood and can be used 100s of times. Cotton blanks – these are the blank products onto which the printing will be done, e.g. tea towels, cushion covers, tote bags. We use organic cotton where possible.
Paper and card blanks - 100% recycled where possible
Fabric paint – a water-based fabric ink. Non-toxic and biodegradable. Vegan and baby-friendly.
Do you host corporate workshops? Yes! Improve the employee experience at your workplace with one of our creative craft workshops. This is corporate team building with a difference!
Our workshops reduce stress through creative mindfulness, whilst giving you skills you can take away and replicate again in other contexts. We break down the creative process into easy steps that anyone can understand. Working alongside colleagues to recharge your creative energy helps bring a team closer together.
Get in touch via the 'message the tutor' button for more information.
Travel & accessibility:
The studio is on the FIRST floor and there are stairs but no lift.
Parking is available on the street parking meter
We are only a few minutes walk from Gunnersbury tube station (district line and overground)
There are also buses routes along Chiswick High Road
