Skills & Upcycle (Intro to block printing) with Tracey (Natimuk Wellness Project)

📍Location: Boardinghouse Studios, 117 Main Street, Natimuk

Introduction to Block Printing with Recycled Materials

Explore the art of block printing in this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop.. Learn how to create your own printing blocks using foam sheets and explore a variety of studio blocks provided. We'll also experiment with everyday recycled items—like leaves, packaging, bottle tops, and even LEGO bricks—to design bold and unexpected patterns.

You’ll start by printing on paper, then move on to fabric samples using water-based textile inks. Once heat-set, your prints will be washable and long-lasting. Whether you're revamping an old t-shirt, brightening up a plain tote bag, or creating a piece of fabric to be used in a sewing project, this workshop is a great way to breathe new life into preloved items. This workshop will provide techniques so you can print at home with minimal
equipment.

No prior art experience is needed—just a curious mind and a willingness to explore and play.

What You’ll Learn:
💚 Fundamentals of block printing and inking techniques for fabric
💚 How to create foam blocks
💚 Using found and recycled objects creatively for stamping
💚 Tips on layout, layering, and working with color on textiles
💚 Fun, practical ideas for upcycling old garments and fabric items

What to Bring:
❤️ An old shirt or apron to protect your clothing—it can get messy!
❤️ A preloved t-shirt, tote bag, teatowel to print on (natural fibres only—cotton, linen, or hemp are best; 100% cotton is the best)
❤️ Any found items you might want to experiment with
❤️ Closed-toe shoes for safety in the studio

Tracey Skinner has a long background in the arts. Her early days were spent as a performer, as a vocalist and dancer but studied fashion, textiles and screenprint alongside this throughout most of her life both in London and Australia.

She has worked as a costume creator and operated independently as a textile artist running a studio and selling bespoke work in shops and markets intermittently over the years as well as running a variety of workshops. 

She loves all things textiles (her stash threatens all available storage space), she does collect vintage like it’s going out of style, has a penchant for chairs and is an absolute sucker for anything printed.

She now works as an arts administrator and producer and is the owner operator of the boardinghouse studios, which incorporates ArapilesFlow Movement Studio where she runs Pilates classes.

Art and Movement.

Follow Tracey:

@boardinghousestudios

@arapilesflow_movement

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The Natimuk Wellness Project is a program of wellness and nature-based activities curated by Melissa Edwards and hosted in the rural Victorian town of Natimuk.

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