A comprehensive introduction to this fascinating art. This workshop is designed to teach you all the techniques you need to produce clear vivid and colourfast prints from botanical materials on fabric.

You will learn:

• which fabrics to choose and how to prepare them
• how to select leaves that print well
• techniques for producing clear crisp prints
• mordanting techniques
• using natural dyes and tannins to produce vibrant coloured backgrounds
• troubleshooting if things go wrong
• design and layout
• how to print a simple garment
• strategies for printing larger pieces
• how to set up a printing space at home
• working in a way that is sustainable and safe for you and the environment
• how to care for your printed fabrics

By the end of the workshop you will:

• be equipped with all the knowledge and skills to start printing independently at home
• understand the processes, empowering you to experiment further
• go home with multiple samples and several larger pieces, including a scarf or simple garment

timetable Day 1 - Evening

• Introduction to ecoprint with show and tell of tutor samples
• Explore participants' learning needs Day 2
• Garden walk and foliage collection
• Making your first bundles to demonstrate:
• Bundling technique -Outcomes with and without mordants
• Mordant theory, and mordant fabric for subsequent days Day 2 - pm
• Samples illustrating use of dyes and tannins as underdyes and blankets
• Analysis of samples and plans for day 2
• Design and layout ideas Day 3 - am and pm
• Work on larger pieces or scarves, drawing on knowledge from day 2
• Students may have access to the studio to bundle during the evening, but bundles will be cooked the following day. No access to hobs when the tutor is not present

Day 4

• Am – Print a simple garment if wished, or scarves or yardage
• Pm – recipes for mordants and dyes, washing and care of fabrics, setting up to print at home- safely and inexpensively, show and tell

Included

On this course the tutor will supply some of the materials including:

• Mordanted fabric for day 1
• Barrier material
• Samples of binding materials
• All necessary cooking pots and buckets, tongs, stirrers dyes, tannins, mordants

On this course the College will supply some of the materials including:

• Cooking hobs, sink and water supply, additional buckets, clothes line or drying racks, foliage from the garden students will supply their own fabrics and garments for days 2 3 and 4 – detailed instructions will be given

What students need to bring

• Gloves
• Apron or old clothes
• Binding materials
• Scissors and secateurs
• Brown rubber bands
• fabrics to print: detailed instructions on fabric choice and preparation will be sent to you on booking

Available to buy

Available from tutor: I will have additional ready prepared fabrics for sale I will have optional starter kits of pots, poles, barrier and twine for people who wish to set up a home studio

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

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