The Spice of Life: Block Print

While in India, I became obsessed with wooden block print textiles. Who wouldn’t? They are everywhere! Block printing is a stamping technique using designs carved into wood blocks are stamped onto meters of white cotton fabric.

The pictures above show the intricate time-consuming process performed start to finish by hand. These fabrics are a labor of love, keeping the handmade tradition alive!

Villagers worked together to create mounds of block printed cloth, which hung in trees, and on the ground baking in the sun. Each village I went to had a particular style of block printing.

In Rajasthan Dabu prints are made using mud as a resist. Dabu printing is created with wood blocks using a resist clay, saw dust and gaur gum paste. 

In Gujarat Ajrakh uses natural dyes printed in geometric designs. Interestingly, this village uses mostly indigo blue dyes and Arak in Arabic is the word for blue.

Kalamkari uses a mix of hand block and hand painting, usually floral and paisley designs. In Sanganeri, hand blocking is usually flower patterns with delicately printed outlines and filled in with block print.

These are a smattering of all the different styles of hand block printing I came across on my travels.

At Worlds End, I choose 20- 30 meters of hand block printed cotton that I like from each village. My tailor then uses these fabrics to make my dress and tunic designs, which make up my summer clothes collection. Each print is handmade, hand dyed and hand washed in its particular village.

Block Print Quilts

Block Printed Quilted Cosmetic Pouches

While the colors and patterns are delicious, I particularly love hand blocked cotton fabrics for their imperfections. No two items in my collection are completely identical. These designs have evolved over many centuries and are a testament to tried and true tradition.

Block Print Used on Our Tents (Available Now)

The Anokhi Museum is an excellent resource for block printing. Click the link below to learn more.