FAQs: Block Printing Tea Towel Workshop at IGIMO Art Station

Q. What do I need to bring?

Everything you need to create your own block printed tea towels will be provided during the class. However, you can bring the following if you’d like:

• • Materials to take notes with
  • Your sketchbook/pen/pencil if you have favorite tools to work with
  • Any reference photos or drawings for your design. You can visit my Block Printing Inspiration Pinterest Board here if you’d like! You’re going to be working with a 6 ” x 6” block surface (it may vary slightly depending on what size blocks are available at the time) for carving, so take into consideration the size while creating your design.

Q. What kind of materials are used in this workshop?

We’re going to use a soft and smooth carving material from Moo Carve. It’s similar to a rubber eraser but latex-free. If you’ve done any block printing using linoleum or wood block before, you’re going to be amazed by how smooth and easy this material is! We’ll use a linocut carving tool and water-based fabric screen printing inks to print. 

Q. Can I bring my own fabric to print on?

Yes, you can! I’m providing a test fabric (cotton muslin) and 2 flour sack tea towels for you to work with, but you’re welcome to bring any natural fabric to print on (tote bags, blank fabrics to make stuff with, T-shirts etc.) if you’d like.

100% cotton is probably the best to start with. No prewash required – however, if you want to remove the sizing on the fabric so it becomes more absorbent, you can prewash and iron the fabric. Every fabric behaves slightly differently, and it depends on your personal preference. You’re welcome to bring any other natural fabrics and experiment.

Q. I don’t know how to draw or design. Can I still take the class?

Absolutely! As a general rule, I encourage the beginning students to start with a simple and bold design that doesn’t have a lot of fine details.

You can create so many interesting patterns and designs by combining simple shapes, like triangles and squares! 

Q. What does the schedule look like?

This is how we plan on spending the day. Time can shift slightly depending on how the students are doing (adjust time depending on each workshop timeline):

1:30-2:00pm Hello & Overview

2:00-3:00pm Creating/Drawing/Tracing a Design for Your Block Print

3:00-4:30pm Carving Your Block

4:30-5:45pm Printing on Fabric

5:45-6:00pm Clean-Up

Q. What happens if I need to cancel my enrollment?

Please notify me (yuko@honeyberrystudios.com) as soon as you know if you can’t make the class. 

•Cancellation 4 weeks or more before your class = full refund

•Cancellation less than 4 weeks before the class = 50% refund or 100% transfer to another date within the following 6 months

•Cancellation with less than 72 hours notice = No refund, 100% transfer to another workshop within the following 6 months if I can fill your spot.

•  Always 100% refund  or transfer if instructor cancels the workshop

Q. How big is the class?

The class size is kept small to ensure each student gets personalized attention and has a positive learning experience. Minimum number of enrollment is 4, and the class is capped at 6 students at Seattle studio, and 8 at Redmond. You’ll be notified if the workshop gets cancelled due to a small number of enrollment.

Q. What should I wear?

You should wear something comfortable and washable in case the ink gets on your clothes (IGIMO provides the aprons). We’ll be on our feet during the printing process, so wear comfortable footwear. 

Q. Do you teach private workshops?

Yes! You can get a group of friends together and invite me to teach. Learn more here.

Q. I have more questions. How can I get in touch?

You can email me at yuko@honeyberrystudios.com I typically reply within one business day.