Have you ever found yourself drawn to the charm of handmade items, the kind that tell a story and add a personal touch to your living space? Before diving into the world of garment sewing, many crafters, including myself, explored a variety of creative outlets. From woodworking to embroidery, the allure of making something unique is universal. For those seeking a blend of artistry and practicality, Block Printing emerges as a wonderfully accessible craft. If you’re looking to infuse your home with personalized décor, block printing offers a fantastic way to transform ordinary textiles into bespoke pieces. Let’s explore how you can use block printing to create beautiful and functional fabric towels, adding a unique handcrafted touch to your home.
Alt text: Handcrafted linen cotton blend towels with unique block printed designs, showcasing a personalized touch for home decor.
My own crafting journey has been a winding path through various techniques. Like many, I’ve experimented with everything from wood burning and ceramics to beadwork and crochet. This inherent curiosity about how things are made, perhaps stemming from a family of engineers, naturally led me to the world of textile printing. Initially, I ventured into screen printing on paper for stationery, captivated by the process of transferring designs. This fascination soon evolved into an interest in applying similar techniques to fabric. That’s when I discovered block printing, a delightful alternative to screen printing, particularly for fabric customization.
Block printing with linoleum blocks, also known as linocut printing, quickly became a favorite. The process of carving a design into a linoleum stamp block and then transferring it onto fabric offered a hands-on, creative experience with tangible results. My first foray into fabric block printing was creating garment labels, a small project that sparked a genuine passion. Fast forward to settling into a new home and facing a collection of worn-out dish towels – the perfect opportunity arose to combine necessity with creativity. Reviving my block printing skills seemed like the ideal solution to create new, personalized kitchen towels.
Alt text: Close-up of textured linen cotton towels featuring block printed patterns, highlighting the artisanal quality of handmade textile crafts.
For this project, I opted for a linen-cotton blend from Fabrics-Store. This fabric choice provides the durability of linen combined with the softness of cotton, making it ideal for absorbent and long-lasting kitchen towels. The construction of the towels was straightforward: cutting rectangles of 19.5” x 23”, hemming each side with a double ½” fold to neatly enclose the raw edges. To enhance functionality, hanging loops were added using leftover fabric scraps, cut into 1.5” x 4” strips and folded similarly to create durable loops.
Alt text: Set of block printed linen cotton towels in natural tones, showcasing a harmonious blend of handmade artistry and practical kitchen textiles.
Creating the block print stamps begins with design. Simple pencil sketches on regular printer paper serve as the starting point. The design is then transferred to the linoleum block using pressure. By placing the drawing face down on the block and firmly rubbing or pressing the back of the paper, the pencil lines transfer onto the linoleum, creating a carving template. While heat transfer methods exist, this simple pressure technique has proven effective, providing a clear and reliable guide for carving. A crucial tip for block printing, especially when incorporating text, is to remember the mirror image effect. Text needs to be drawn in reverse so that it prints correctly on the fabric. The pressure transfer method naturally achieves this reversal, simplifying the process. For a more detailed visual guide, explore this step-by-step tutorial on fabric block printing.
Alt text: Linen cotton fabric being block printed with custom linoleum stamps, demonstrating the hands-on process of creating unique textile designs.
Carving the linoleum blocks was done using a Speedball Block Printing Starter Kit carving tool. This tool, while basic, is perfectly adequate for creating detailed designs. The carving process requires some focus to ensure the correct areas are removed, resulting in the desired block print. For my towel project, I chose designs that held personal meaning. A fish motif recalled memories of working on lake health studies, while an artichoke thistle flower paid homage to a time spent in Northern California. Simple orange slice prints and the whimsical “Gudetama” character added playful touches to the towel collection. These diverse designs showcase the versatility of block printing and how personal interests can be incorporated into your creations.
Alt text: Assortment of handmade block printed towels featuring fish, artichoke, orange, and Gudetama designs, highlighting creative and personalized kitchen decor.
Alt text: Close-up detail of carved linoleum block stamps used for fabric block printing, showcasing the intricate carving and design process.
Printing on the towels was achieved using Speedball oil-based ink, which is recommended for fabric block printing due to its durability and washability. After printing, the ink needs to cure. Following Speedball ink instructions, I allowed the towels to air dry and rest for a week to ensure the ink fully set into the fabric fibers. While some crafters recommend longer curing times or heat setting, the Speedball oil-based ink is formulated to cure effectively without heat. This simplifies the process and makes block printing even more accessible for home crafters.
Alt text: Finished block printed linen cotton towels hanging in a kitchen setting, demonstrating the practical and aesthetic appeal of handmade home textiles.
In conclusion, embracing simpler projects like block printed towels can bring immense satisfaction. These fundamental crafts, though sometimes overlooked, become essential elements in our daily lives, constantly reminding us of the simple pleasures of creating. Whether you choose block printing or any other craft, the act of making itself offers a unique joy. So, why not explore the world of block printing and add a personal, handcrafted touch to your home textiles?
