Block Printed Fabrics

I've searched all my sources for block print fabrics, and none of the ones I know about have the perfect 'navy print on a white or cream background' that I need for a client's drapes.

Then I got to thinking...I'm pretty crafty, maybe I could get some white linen and a couple of antique printing blocks that are everywhere at flea markets, and try my hand at fabric printing.

This floral block would be very pretty with lots of white space.


We were imagining a paisley print, like this Peter Dunham fabric, but in white and navy and with more white space.


I like this paisley block or even this cheapy one.


Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Something like the fabric used for the curtains below would be ideal, though I know the design is more intricate than I could probably pull off:




OR! Does anyone know of a good source for fabric like this, in the same colors (I've checked all the usual sources for Indienne and block-printed textiles)?

53 comments:

  1. I love block prints. Especially this set http://www.parrotfish.co.uk/product.cfm/prod_name/Textiles%20%20%20Sarees%20Elephant%20Printing%20Block%20Set/product_id/153/category_id/14

    You might want to contact Bhavna at the
    http://anindiansummer-design.blogspot.com/

    or Rikshaw? they might be able to point you in the right direction

    http://www.rikshawdesign.com/bombay/index.html

    Wisecraft recently stenciled her curtains, different look, but she provides some tips

    http://blairpeter.typepad.com/weblog/eight_by_eight/

    I can't wait to see the outcome!

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  2. You should do them yourself - you can cut them out of wood, you can use potatoes, and even some of the stamps at stamp shops, use 2 or 3 motifs and line them up to make the board.
    Use fabric paint with your paint.
    Show us your design!
    pve

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  3. I purchased some beautiful ones from Raga Textiles on Ebay a few months ago. Unfortunately they are out of curtains right now but keep checking back!

    http://myworld.ebay.com/ragatextiles/

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  4. Wow! Good grief, I am all thumbs and cannot imagine launching into this process myself, lol. I am super excited to see how it comes out, please share with us! John Robshaw works in navy...just in case;)

    Besos,
    Jaime

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  5. I agree about doing it yourself, but not with an antique block. There's a book called "Lotta Prints" that is awesome and shows all sorts of stamping techniques. The cost of supplies will actually be quite low and the results will probably be better than you get can from antique block. Good luck!

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  6. No idea on the fabrics, but I love the idea of trying to block print yourself!

    I don't know much about it, but do you know about a company called Spoonflower? They're based right up the road from us and they custom print yardage for you in your design. I doubt the fabric quality is as high as what you're looking for, but it's a cute idea, nonetheless!

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  7. Lauren from Pure Style Home just tackled a similar project for her newborn's nursery. Results are amazing:

    http://purestylehome.blogspot.com/2010/04/nursery-finally-before-after.html

    ABC (NYC) has buckets of old Indian block's that would give you the look. ~Inspired Living

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  8. Ooops...it was a stencil, not a block print. But, still recreates the look you're after. ~ Inspired Living

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  9. ballards new magazine had a perfect navy blue and white background block print curtain that I loved....check it out

    www.ballarddesigns.com/Linens-Fabrics/Panels-Draperies/Window-Treatments/Concorde-Medallion-Panel/p/11800?path=1%2C2%2C1465%2C1513%2C2223&iProductID=11800

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  10. Oh, even I haven't thought of doing this project!! If you do I'll be watching closely and following behind...and sorry, no idea where to find the fabric in the last image, gorgeous though. Good luck! Janell

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  11. I have a table cloth from Saffron Marigold and it is beyond perfection - seriously, I can't say enough good things about it! http://www.saffronmarigold.com/

    Check them out!
    - Danielle

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  12. Centasational Girl recently had a giveaway from a company called saffron marigold. They had one blue and white block print:
    http://www.saffronmarigold.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=36

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  13. Lena Corwin's book Printing By Hand has great ideas for homemade stamps, stencils and screen prints: (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Printing-by-Hand/Lena-Corwin/e/9781584796725). I've always wanted to try a project like this. Good luck - can't wait to see the results!

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  14. Lauren from Pure Style Home got a similar look with a stencil, I believe, for her son's nursery. Check her out!

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  15. wow, I'm glad to see this post. I have a project (chair) and I've been thinking along these same lines. I'm coming back later to follow up on some of the links in your comments!!! great responses.

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  16. This may be completely different from what you're looking for (probably not navy enough), but I saw this fabric yesterday when I was searching for a fabric for a client, and I immediately fell in love with it.

    http://tinyurl.com/23x9rat

    And just an FYI...if you don't already have an account with Trend, I highly recommend it. It's a division of Fabricut, but they specialize in very reasonably-priced fabrics. I've yet to see a fabric in their line that retails for over $40/yard.

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  17. Here's a Robert Allen fabric that's pretty...and CHEAP, which is very unusual for Robert Allen:

    http://www.robertallendesign.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=163584

    Another from Robert Allen that's white on navy, and again, dirt cheap!

    http://www.robertallendesign.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=184954

    Another Robert Allen, navy on white, and reasonably priced:

    http://www.robertallendesign.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=139574

    Another white on navy from Robert Allen, reasonable price:

    http://www.robertallendesign.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=139444

    If you don't have an account with Robert Allen, I'd be happy to get you the info on these.

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  18. Being the interiors guru that you are, you've probably already heard of them but..check out 'Cabbages and Roses'. The most glorious hand blocked fabrics!

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  19. You have positively read my mind. I was working on this last weekend (working in my mind that is) but decided to table it for the moment. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Love your work!

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  20. Jenny, have you seen the nursery makeover from Pure Style Home? It's AWESOME. She block printed a drop cloth and hung it over the crib.

    http://purestylehome.blogspot.com/2010/04/nursery-finally-before-after.html

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  21. The most beautiful hand-blocked print come from Brigitte Singh's atelier in Jaipur, India. Her fabrics can be purchased online at www.aletaonline.com Check them out. You will not be disappointed.

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  22. I have been dreaming of the exact curtains you are talking about. Whatever you come up with, please let us know!

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  23. Just ran across this designer today...really love her work. Someone else mentioner her too! http://www.rikshawdesign.com/

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  24. Les Indiennes might have just what you're looking for ~
    http://lesindiennes.com/

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  25. les indiennes is faboulous but expensive! i say you try hand blocking and then give us your tutorial!

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  26. Galbraith and Paul have the most amazing hand block printed fabrics ever!

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  27. John Robshaw has some similar block printed fabrics in the right colors.

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  28. This book might help w/ ways to do your own stencils..

    Lotta Prints

    http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7084/title,Lotta-Prints/

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  29. I don't know about prints, but as far as fabric you might have some luck with www.premierprintsfabrics.com. You can search by color. I recommend looking at the plain "blue" color...it dark and closer to navy. Good luck!

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  30. This shop on etsy has some nice stencils that could be used on fabric to create indienne-looking pattern:

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunnygoode

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  31. I painted stripes onto IKEA curtains: http://high-heelfootinthedoor.blogspot.com/2009/09/seeing-stripes-diy-curtains.html

    It worked out pretty well. It wasn't a stencil, but a similar idea.

    I used fabric paint so that I could throw it in the wash and not lose any color.

    I think it is a totally doable DIY project.

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  32. I like how you handle the colors, just great, Congratulations.

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  33. That's so weird! I was just looking at doing this to my curtains with a damask stencil or stamp. I'm a little nervous I'll botch up my linen curtains though.

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  34. Here are some that I really like - you may have already seen these:

    http://www.saffronmarigold.com/catalog/directory.php?cPath=25

    http://www.kathrynireland.com/NEW-COLLECTIONS/marrakech.html

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  35. I was going to recommend Lena Corwin's book too. Lotta Jansdotter has also published a hand printing how-to book. Good luck!!

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  36. There's a great idea for this type of print at Pure Style Home: http://purestylehome.blogspot.com/2010/04/nursery-finally-before-after.html

    You could totally DIY!

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  37. hi jenny... maybe this post about printing on fabric will help if you decide to print your own... she's written it in 3 parts...
    good luck!
    rachel

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  38. doh!
    http://jezzeblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/printing-fabric-1.html

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  39. Is this fabric too expensive:-)

    http://www.madelineweinrib.com/mw/fabric-organicblockprint/Isabelle-Blue.html

    I love it and wish I could get my hands on some of it.

    P.S. - You made my day with the comment you made about me on 6th Street Design blog..thank you.

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  40. Hi Jenny,
    do you remember this project over at Design Sponge? I'm planning to do this... at some point...

    http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/08/diy-project-block-printed-duvet.html

    But you'd knock it off in just a few hours, knowing you! Thanks for the great blog,
    Andrea

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  41. http://www.pacificandrose.com/tablecloths/curtains

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  42. definitely contact anokhi, based out of jaipur, rajasthan, india - amazing block-printed fabrics.

    www.anokhi.com

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  43. Saw this at 15.99 a yard. Might be suitable for your needs:
    http://www.hartsfabric.com/36345.html

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  44. good lucl- i know what you come up with will be GORGEOUS!!! thanks for the sweet note!!

    xoxo,
    l

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  45. Great site! Here are a few of my favorites...hope it helps. Good Luck!

    http://www.madelineweinrib.com/
    http://johnrobshaw.com/
    http://www.rikshawdesign.com/
    http://www.rakshabellaorganic.com/
    http://www.pacificandrose.com/

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  46. try the concorde medallion panel from ballard designs!

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  47. I know it's different than block printing but it's a similar look that Lil Blue Boo got with her screen printed drapes and pillows. She's also got a tutorial. Check it out here: http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2010/01/screenprinted-drapes-pillows-tutorial.html

    I can't wait to see how it comes out!

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  48. Have you tried Spoonflower? I love them for creating my own custom fabrics (and great prices too).

    Morgan@PepperDesignBlog.comun

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  49. Great thoughts you got there, believe I may possibly try just some of it throughout my daily life.
    printed fabrics

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  50. maiwa.com- canadian
    indianblockcompany.com- england
    YOu can get blocks from them .Maiwa has a pdf file on blockprinting, the english have a DVD.
    In India it is every where!
    They are awesome- textile blocks to work with, especially with kids!

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  51. I always luv block prints from pottery barn and now from Attiser

    www.potterybarn.com
    www.leattiser.com

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