One of my favorite textile processes of applying a pattern onto a surface of cloth is Hand Block printing. It is a process where one repeat of the design’s motif is carved by hand on teak wood blocks. It can take up to 80 hours to carve a single block. The fabric to be printed is stretched across a large wooden table. The printmaker applies dye to the carved block and then stamps it on to the fabric, repeating the process across the entire cloth. Patterns generally require multiple colors, which are applied one at a time, using a different block for each color. Block printing requires precision. A printer must know exactly where to place the blocks so that he does not break the continuity of the design. Registration marks are used to help align the patterns. Because it’s all handcrafted, no two pieces will be exactly like each other.

Some of my favorite blockprint resources are:

Galbraith and Paul handcrafted in Philadelphia. Fun, contemporary designs.

Muriel Brandolini– a collection of fabrics by this New York based French-Vietnamese interior designer. Produced in Jaipur, India. Beautiful, saturated colors.

John Robshaw produces textiles and home furnishings in South East Asia. Traditional prints in refreshing colors.

Anokhi based in Jaipur, India… has been block printing for 30+ years. They do clothing and home furnishings. Anokhi has about 20 retail stores in all the major cities of India.

Anokhi has a great museum in Amber, Rajasthan, depicting the blockprint process. I was lucky to tour the museum a couple of years ago when it first opened.

Here is a link to a video tour of the museum (2:38)

Lastly… my first collection has been created using handblock printing combined with other processes… will keep you posted on the launch!