Fabric Block Printing Class

With Lucy Holtsnider

Over this five hour printmaking class we’ll practice drawing, carving, and printing a two-color linoleum print by hand. No experience is required, and we’ll use non-toxic materials and a set of simple tools to make prints that are easy to recreate at home without a press. This class is different from the Block Printing on Paper class in that we’ll use ink designed for fabric, we’ll print on fabric instead of paper, and we’ll carve two blocks and register those to create a two-color print. 

We will start by tracing a photo or a drawing onto tracing paper, and then deciding which colors will go where in the print. Next, we’ll transfer the drawing to two blocks of linoleum and carve the first block. Then we choose our fabric color, and print the first color onto the fabric. While that color dries, we carve the second color, then print that on top of the first. Each student gets one yard of fabric to print on, and past students have even brought in their own fabric from home to print on and then sewed this into an item of clothing! 

Linocut is a fun and forgiving medium to work in and requires no drawing skills at all. The final prints just look cool no matter what! Participants should bring a sack lunch, close toed shoes, and 4 x 6” or smaller photo to make a drawing from. Bringing fabric from home is optional. Everyone receives a set of printed directions and a supply list to jump start their new linocut obsession. 

• Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.

• Class Capacity: 7 maximum, 3 minimum

• Materials Provided?: Yes

• Age Limit: 13+ Guardian required if under 18

• Partner Ticket Available?: Yes

• Available for a Private Class?: Yes (info)

• Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: Be prepared to get a little dirty.