Printmaking
Here are some statistics from Finishing School’s lesson in lino-cutting and fabric printing night that took place at our brand new venue the Island Queen on 26th October.
Teacher = 1. East London printmaker Catherine Walsh was on hand to suggest block carving techniques and provide design inspiration for all. Head over to her webpage for details of her upcoming classes if you want to hone your skills further.
Attendees = just the right number (to allow for elbow room and no arguments over paint rollers).
Injuries = 2. There are many dangers in this world and it turns out that lino cutting is one of them. For other crafting dangers click here (at your peril).
Plasters used = 8. Gougers are sharp, kids.
Litres of fabric paint = 1.5. The messiest session so far!
Successful nights = 1. Everyone took home a tea towel and tote bag decorated with their own stamp (or a stamp nabbed from another student as everyone had such great ideas it was a shame not to share!). Check out our flickr for more pictures of the evening.
Thanks to everyone who turned up and had a go at creating some really original prints. I went out the following day and purchased my own set of tools from a lovely art shop in Clerkenwell and I know for a fact that Atlantis Arts does a good range of lino so that’s Christmas sorted then.
If you had as much fun as we did (or frustratingly missed out on space this time) do keep a keen eye on our facebook page and our events page for details of November’s session. See you soon x
Firstly, Social Knitworking is an awesome name. Secondly, it’s the title of a really interesting project belonging to design graduate Hilary Grant and creative research organisation 
Social Knitworking turns key words and phrases from online social messages and translates them into different patterns that can become personal textile keepsakes for friends and family. I love the idea that ephemeral comments made on twitter or taken from email can be turned into colours and designs that create meaningful items of clothing – like wearing a secret diary and only you can understand the coded entries. The pattern generation concept involved means that ‘sentences’ could be woven into pretty much any accessory, dress, top or bag. We update our online status publicly on a daily basis so why not celebrate this by wearing your thoughts on your sleeve?
All images ©Distance Lab.