Making a print block

Learn about the history of block printing and block printed cottons of the 18th Century; design an image and convert your design to a print block.

Teaching Outcomes:

• Learn the early history of Block Printed textiles, how British printers took up the craft from the 1600s and how this led to the fashion for printed cotton clothes from the 18th century onwards.
• Design and make a print block from craft foam and card that reflects their interests and personality.

Children will:

• Learn the history of block printing and how block printed cottons came to be used for clothes in the 18th century.
• Design an image for a print block that reflects their interests and personality.
• Convert their design to a print block using craft foam and mount it on cardboard ready to use for printing next session.

• Information sheet on print samples
• The history of block printing
• How to make a print block

• Sheets of craft foam
• Drawing paper
• Blunt pencils or pencil crayons
• Variety of circular objects (e.g. lids of pots, tubs and jars)
• Thick cardboard
• Undiluted PVA, glue pots and brushes

Child friendly introduction to textiles from childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk