More Indian Block Printing Projects

I'm excited you are here and thankful that you stopped by! A few weeks ago, I wrote about Indian Block Printing.

I learned the basics of Indian Block Printing through a virtual class. We were each given a kit complete with paint, sponges, and wood blocks. Initially, we decorated a few gift tags.

Then, when we were confident, we used the block prints on fabric...TADA!

I turned the fabric into gift wrap. The Japanese call this Furoshiki. That way, the receiver of this gift can reuse the fabric in other ways -- as a headband, hair tie, pocket square, or wrap another present. 

Then I remembered that I bought this carved wood block a few years ago. I got it from a gift shop in Austin, Texas. I never used it but now I know how.

Just like our teacher instructed in the class, I made an ink pad. I put a few drops of paint on a flat surface (this is a takeout container), positioned the sponge on top of the paint, and tapped the wood block on the sponge until the paint lifted to the surface of the sponge.

I kept tapping until the paint transferred to the wood block.

Then I stamped onto the fabric.

I just repeated the design in a straight line, inking the wood block each time after stamping.

This is another piece of fabric where I experimented with a more playful layout.

Indian Block Printing instantly turns these pieces of scrap fabric from blah to TADA!

I sewed the sides of my block printed fabric together to make small pouches.

I assigned a button and elastic string as a closure mechanism.

These small pouches will become jewelry gift bags...TADA!

Since I had more scrap fabric on hand, I took out the liquid dye to give it a new look. 

 

I was going for a rough ombre look, mimicking the ocean.

My fish-shaped wood block added some life.

I stamped randomly, as if the fishies were doing somersaults. 

I sewed the edges and sides to make a bag.

I folded the open end...

And likewise added a button and elastic string allowing the bag to be closed.

These will become gift sacks, a more sustainable solution to wrapping presents...TADA!