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In this video and mini course I will show you how to design a block print for printing your own fabric.

First, I’d like to give you some history about what block printing is. Two thousand years ago in China, the first block prints on fabric were created. Artwork and later hand carved messages on paper were printed most often. The popularity and the efficiency of creating block printed work and fabrics soon spread to many other areas in Asia including India. India most often used block printing for creating intricate fabric patterns.

Europe later acquired the use of the block print for paper and fabrics and thus it spread to the west.

Block printing as an art can be very satisfying and fun to create. You have the option of carving a woodblock yourself but for the ease of beginning, we will use a soft linoleum instead. Wood can take a lot of time to carve and produces a much different textured look than linoleum. If your heart is set on creating a woodblock, you can try pine wood, or maple they are a softer wood and easier to carve.

Tools and Linoleum

You can get linoleum blocks here through the links I provide, or at your local craft store. I suggest a very soft linoleum. These easy to cut blocks are the softest and easiest to cut. Almost like butter.

You will need tools for carving the linoleum and a tool called a baren to help you when you print your design.

You will also need fabric. You can absolutely print on t shirts, curtains, pillows, shopping bags, and more. Cotton will take ink the best. Canvas can also be an option but it is better to get a finer and softer canvas material with a tighter weave.

Ink is also the next tool you will need. You can purchase fabric ink for block printing here. You can also find this at your local craft stores.

Designing Your Block

Your first task is to create a design, using paper and pencil. You can trace a design you would like from another source but I encourage you to use your own design. It makes the process that much more fulfilling.

To get inspiration for your design, you can choose to look at fabrics, patterns in books, in nature, and on Pinterest. Nature is so full of patterns you will love finding them everywhere you look! Take a walk and a sketchbook and see what catches your eye. Play with your pattern and make it something very simple for this beginning project. The simpler the better because an intricate detailed carving will take you awhile to create. If you are ok with taking time then by all means you can make it more intricate.

I will explain further on the design in the video.

Go here to sign up for this beginner block printing class! It’s just $12 for a limited time!

Please let me know if this beginner course helped you! I hope you enjoy it and find inspiration through my tutorials and sessions.