Workshops

You will make a number of botanical inks made from plant material using a few different methods to show you the range of possibilities in making botanical inks from plants in your garden or roadside verges. It is a constant surprise as to what will give colour and the focus will be to provide you with easy methods with which to create inks. We will also create printing ink for you to take home. We will do some printing with botanical material in the workshop time permitting.

You will need to bring:

• 8 smallish  empty clean jars ( no bigger than 250 ml) 

• botanical material, such as leaves, and flowers or herbs ( a handful) ( brightly coloured flowers can give good results)- hard leaves are better for printing but are often reluctant to relinquish colour in the ink-making process.

• A notepad and paper.

You will make a small linocut ( or maybe two) based on a  simple design with which you will print your own fabric later in the day, with a method of hand printing which is easy to replicate at home. You will be shown how to make a linocut and how to print.

I will also bring some linocuts that I have made for you to use and print fabric with.

You will need to bring:

• Some smallish squares of light coloured cotton fabric ( plain if possible)

• A sketchbook and drawing pencils- and a 2B lead pencil if you have it.

• A sharpie medium fine liner

• If you have any linocutting tools at home please also bring those 

You will be provided with a hand printed panel (there will be some choice available) and you will stitch and embellish the panel with embroidery thread.  We will be using simple stitches and  the colour of thread will add to the visual impact of the printed image (you will  be provided with backing fabric and the flannel used as the batting layer)

You will need to bring:

• If you prefer using an embroidery hoop please bring your embroidery hoop

• Your normal small sewing kit including and embroidery needle that you use with your embroidery thread

• Embroidery thread in different colours (this can be perle 8 or stranded embroidery thread)

You will make a badge with a pre printed small panel (it will be an image of something botanical and there will be  choice available) - you can add lettering to your badge if you wish.

You will need to bring:

• A pencil & pad

• Your normal small sewing kit including and embroidery needle that you use with your embroidery thread

• Embroidery threads in various colours (stranded or perle 8 weight thread)