Block Printing

In my post about Restful Bedrooms, I shared photos of sheets and blankets with subdued, soothing block print patterns. The designs mix very large prints with tiny prints:

Border prints are also used near top edges of blankets and sheets:

Whenever we’re ready to move beds into the apartment, I intend to design and print my own bedding to attempt this look. I love the contrast of large and small prints with ample white space between. And, I love hands-on design projects!

So I’ll be on a mission to collect the following wooden blocks for printing:

• Enormous paisley
• Tiny evenly-spaced print
• Border floral with open airy feel
• Medium-size florals

You can find a variety of wood blocks of all designs online: new blocks, vintage or antique blocks, and even custom blocks made just for you. Here are paisley wooden blocks, custom made by Colouricious:

I may need to go the bespoke route for paisley blocks large enough for an enormous print, if I don’t find affordable and quality ones online.

Here’s the kind of block that would make small evenly-spaced prints:

Here are border blocks for sale on etsy.com in by seller textileblocks:

You could combine several border prints to make a bigger border.

Other blogs have shared stories about block printing that have inspired me:

• Once Upon A Tea Time shares some history of block printing, and photographed pieces from her collection in dreamy photos that can send you to a fantasyland of gorgeous printed fabrics.
• Artnlight shares stories of block printing in Bhuj, along with the most luscious photos of wooden blocks. Yes, this blog’s photography makes wooden blocks look luscious!
• Ro Bruhn shows an energizing mix of layered colors and stamps, including a demo of block printing on artwork.
• Blau Druck shows indigo textile printing with 300-year-old wood blocks. This person has collected about 460 wood blocks. I’m so envious of the creativity and inspiration that must be in one place to use! Thus far I have only one. To be shown in a future post.