Block Printing Basics - Design, Carve and Print Your Own Blocks for Handmade Homeware

Have you ever wanted to create your own cards and wrapping paper, or create your own unique patterns for printed cushions or lampshades in your home? With this block printing class you will learn to use simple tools to quickly craft vibrant and unique designs for paper or fabric in just an hour or two.

In this class you'll learn:

- How to carve and print your own beautiful lino block design - Tips and tricks about how to carve and block print successfully - How to use the same blocks to build up more complex pattern designs.

In the class download you'll find all the information you'll need, along with some templates to trace, just in case you need some design inspiration to set you off on your printing journey.

Print on paper or on fabric, and share your totally handmade designs and anything you've made with it with the class. Cards, wrapping paper, printed napkins, textiles... with a few simple blocks you can hand print so many different things - and you don't need to be good a drawing or art to make something gorgeous.

This class is for total beginners - you don’t need any prior experience at all.

In this digital world it’s nice to get away from screens, and spend a few hours doing something totally ‘hands on’. Carving and printing blocks can be a relaxing, fun and creative way to spend a few hours. It’s easy to do if you start off with something simple - and then you can develop your carving and designing skills to make something bigger or more complex. You could start off making cards, and end up printing a whole bedspread, or even wallpaper.

I’m passionate about patterns and printing - and as a self-taught artist, I’d love to pass on the skills I’ve learned to you. Block printing is easy, and can be quite meditative as you get into the rhythm of printing.

Step away from screens, and make your own unique designs -

- For your own home, - To give as gifts, - To make decorations and invitations for celebrations, - To sell on Etsy, or in your own website or in shops.

Tools & Materials

For this class you'll need:

- Lino Carving tool(s) - you can buy inexpensive ones with different carving tips. - Sheet of lino/Softcut or Speedy carve block - Ink pads/ block printing ink or screen-printing ink.

You won't need the next three items if you're using ink pads

- Using block printing ink - a rubber roller (also known as a brayer) - Using screen-printing ink, - you’ll need a softer foam roller - Sheet of glass (eg from an old frame) or perspex, or a plastic tray for rolling printing ink

You'll also need:

- A pencil, some permanent markers (optional), scissors and tracing paper. - A craft knife, a cutting mat if you have one, or an old board. - Scrap paper/fabric for practising on. - Kitchen roll or old cloths for cleaning up, water and washing up liquid. - Paper, fabric or blank textile item (eg. bag, apron, pillow case) for printing your final design. - Newspaper, or plastic sheeting for protecting your table. - An old blanket for cushioning if printing on fabric.