Indigo Block Printing Workshop

WEEKEND RECAP Block Printing in Joshua Tree 

Last weekend, I attended a block printing workshop in a remote and beautiful setting in the Joshua Tree, California desert.

I had planned on doing this weekend workshop for quite a while, and this time I got lucky enough to sign-up for the first one of the season. Last weekend's trip out to Joshua Tree, California was largely due to this class offered by Lily and Hopie Stockman of  Blockshop textiles! This workshop is described as an immersive day of hand block printing using traditional techniques learned from master printers in India, and it totally was!

Are you ready for a little peak into the hand block printing process? I tried to capture and document some of the magic for you, while staying focused on the creative part of designing an original hand printed textile. Hopefully, you can make it out there to attend too one day soon. Until then you can come along me:)

photo by Ashish Vaid

One of the exciting things about this block printing workshop was that we had the opportunity to use natural indigo dyes. I signed-up not knowing about that and was pleasantly surprised and excited as we watched Lily preparing the dye vat. She explained her process and  gave us a lot of good info about keeping a natural vat. 

Everyone was excited to see the white cotton scarf with triangular motif going into the dye vat. 

To get started with printing, we practiced on paper as our blank canvas. 

Exploring the beginning of a wavy pattern. 

Then, all of a sudden it was all like eat, sleep, stamp, repeat and we all became block printing machines. 

Later, I loved how the indigo blue looked held up against the desert sky. The pale blue color reminds me of Georgia O'Keefe and the open desert skies that she painted in her lifetime. Hopie described the first dip in indigo as a cornflower blue. Next, all of the printed pieces were hanging out to dry. 

I did a second printed pattern in black with red ink on a silk scarf and printed more freely. 
Side note:  I really want to dye my denim shirt that I am wearing too!

Here is the last one that I made after dyeing it in indigo. I find myself wearing this print a lot lately.

It was a beautiful day well-spent out in the dreamy high desert that is Joshua Tree. 

Additionally, I find myself valuing more about the experience of creating things in a workshop or studio setting, more than the experience of shopping for things. How about you?  

Please check out these related posts here:

• where we stayed to the west of Joshua Tree National park
• A guide to the architecture colors, and patterns of the Pink City, Jaipur
• to learn the Basics of Shibori dyeing 

Let me know if you have any questions about the trip, I would love to hear from you!