Indian Block Printing on Placemats

I sewed the fabric I dyed a couple of weeks ago into placemats, just like Kim, the author of Modern Color, suggested (read my inspiring interview with her here if you haven’t already).

 
I hand quilted them with straight lines stitched with sashiko thread, then cut them into rectangles roughly 21″ x 17″. I needed to back it with another fabric, but what? Impulsively, I grabbed a length of canvas dropcloth I’d bought at the hardware store and cut four panels.
 
But, really, I wasn’t going to leave that canvas fabric blank, was I? How boring! I decided to try out some printing blocks from India I’ve had for a while now. Purchased on ebay with no idea how I was going to use them (they were pretty!). On Sunday, I saw the opportunity. Luckily, I happened to have some block printing ink (don’t we all?).
 
 

 

 

 
 
The pattern was stamped out very organically, I didn’t do much planning. The whole process is quick with not much mess at all (keep paper towels nearby), and I’m really in love with the intricacy’s of block patterns. They washed up quickly with soap and water when I was done.
 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
I am now walking around the house, at this very moment, with these stamps loaded with paint, looking for something else to stamp. Watch out family.