As I sit here writing to you, I am wearing my new jumper-dress in full-on cerise (a bright red-pink colour). When I bought it, I did briefly think this colour - all over - might be "a bit much", but then I came to my senses - Wait a minute! I neeeeed warm colour vibrating off my skin cells and I'm in charge here. I get to decide what makes me feel good! Colour can really play a big role in managing how you want to feel and noticing what colours you are drawn to can even tell you a bit about what you need in life.
If you asked me what my favourite colour is, I would immediately say blue. But I've noticed that in different seasons I'm drawn to different colours. In Autumn it tends to be a deep yellow, and in January/February, I tend to lean towards a soft dusty pink, a feminine colour that is nurturing. It has become my reminder that I'm in a season where I need more gentle self-care. Although this year, I obviously need some energetic self-care with the cerise!
In today's newsletter, I'm sharing some creative printmakers, who are embracing colour in various ways. We have a look at natural dyes with Nicola Cliffe of Madder Cutch & Co, Glasgow's very own Indigo Queen, and Bombaby's wonderfully outrageous block printed neons. There's a fun colourful little printing instagram reel too!
I hope you feel inspired to play around with colour in your own life. Let me know what colours you are drawn to and whether this changes with the seasons. I'd love to start some pattern & print chat, so I'll create a post on instagram (and facebook) and hope to read some of your comments there!
If you feel like exploring colour in block printing - my upcoming workshops are at the end of the newsletter.
Until next time!
Best Wishes,
Karené
P.S. I am not an affiliate and do not receive any payment for the information in my newsletters. I just like to share what amazing people are doing, while exploring the world of pattern and print.
Printing with Natural Dyes
by Nicola Cliffe, Madder Cutch and Co
Nicola Cliffe is a passionate about using natural dyes in printing and she shares her extensive knowledge in this area in her book, Printing with Natural Dyes. She started her textile printing company, Madder, Cutch & Co. eight years ago which only uses sustainable sourced natural plant dyes and pigments. She occasionally uses block printing techniques for creative inspiration, but her linens and soft furnishings are printed with silkscreens.
I have been curious about natural dyes and pigments, but I realise that this is a rabbit hole, that I might just never find my way out of, so when I saw that there was a book that would keep all the information I need in one compact place, I immediately ordered it!
BOOK
I have been dipping in and out of it since it arrived, but I must admit I have not tried any of the techniques in the book yet.
Not only does it give clear directions on using plants to create colour, it also gives instructions on silkscreening, block printing and eco-printing (where you use plants directly on the fabric). I like the fact that she has included a brief interview with experts in each of these print techniques. What I have realised is that printing with natural dyes is not simple, because different plants react in different ways. If you are ready to deep dive into various mordants and dye baths, thickeners and resists. Then this is definitely the book for you. Buy it here
PRINTING INKS
If you just want to print with natural dyes, without doing any chemistry, you can now buy natural dye printing inks directly from Nicola, here.
To follow Madder Cutch & Co on Instagram, go here : @maddercutchandco
Keeping INDIGO alive
Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw
I discovered Elisabeth on instagram and although I have not met her in person, she seems to be a fascinating woman. A French woman, living in Glasgow - Scotland, Elisabeth is following her passion for indigo all over the world. She has recently travelled to South East Asia to learn all about making indigo vats and printing with resists. From what I understand, indigo leaves are fermented to create indigo dye. You cannot print directly with indigo on its own. To create pattern on indigo, you need to apply a resist and then dunk the fabric into the dye. Once dry the area with the resist remains light, while the rest of the fabric turns a beautiful deep blue.
Elisabeth is so obsessed with indigo that she was able to convince the Botanical Gardens in Glasgow to allow her to start a Dye Garden, where with the help of volunteers she grows and harvests indigo and woad (also blue). She even won a prize for this project from the Glasgow Council. She is currently looking for more people to grow indigo and if this sparks some interest you can find out more here.
Elisabeth is very generous with her knowledge and holds in-person workshops and teaches extensively online. To find out more you can go to her website here or to eventbrite here.
Or if you just want to follow her journey, you can follow her on instagram, where she is known as @bettysbeautifullife.
Block Printing Brights
with Sarah Dixon-Dale of Bombaby
While many printers are opting for plant-based colour, Sarah has opted to take a brighter, more whimsical route with her products that are designed in the UK, but all hand-printed in Jaipur, India. She is putting a new twist on the ancient craft of block printing by using neon colour. This post on Instagram briefly explains how different colours are printed in one of her more modern designs.
Incredible hand-printed energy
Just for fun - a little printing reel to remind you that incredible hand printing is still happening - with colour mixing too!
Don't miss it - Click here!
(Sound on for best effect)
Upcoming Workshops
THE OLD BARN, EDINBURGH
I have been teaching at Old Barn Edinburgh and I've loved it! The cosy space with a fire going, twinkling lights and tea and cake, just makes you feel very welcome and pampered.
Workshops have been selling out before I get a chance to tell you about it! But sometimes there are cancellations, so keep an eye out for those spots. Good news is that there will be more! In April we are lino-cutting too.
Saturday 2 March 2024, 1 - 4pm SOLD OUT
Sunday 21 April 2024, 1- 4pm SOLD OUT
CSSC, DUNBLANE
The workshop at Central Scotland School of Crafts (CSSC, Dunblane) is an intensive full day workshop with Indian block printing followed with an introductory lesson in lino, to create your own pattern motifs.
The next date has been set for May. There is also talk of a follow-up workshop in July, although we haven't set dates yet.
If you would like to be notified of these, you can ask to be put on a waiting list at CSSC.
Then Whitmuir Farm has contacted me about teaching workshops there! They are just south of Edinburgh and there seems to be a café and a shop, so a nice spot to visit and do a workshop while you're at it. I will let you know progress on this one. You can see where they are, have a look at the website here or their facebook here.
If you'd like to see a block printing workshop in your area, I'm always happy to have a look at new venues, so let me know if any spring to mind!
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