NOVEMBER 8-9, 2025 – PRINTED AND STITCHED, FABRIC & PAPER

Class Description: Block printing on fabric and paper is a fabulous, exciting way to create beautiful handmade items with your own personal flair. This easy technique lends itself well to very simple or more ornate designs. You will carve your own blocks for printing on fabric and paper with designs provided for you, or you can use your own designs. Then I’ll share techniques I’ve developed for printing your blocks.

The second day will be spent creating a collaged piece, 14” x 18”, using your amazing pieces. Hand stitching will be used to create your composition and embellish your work. Lots of inspiration will be shared and you’ll go home with a great stash to work with later.

No experience is required, but it helps to look online for design inspiration that appeals to you.

List of items students need to bring: Tools and Supplies for Blocks and Printing Block carving tools: Speedball Linoleum Cutting Tool Speedball, Speedy Carve Blocks, (2) 4” x 6” (Link) Ruler, Xacto knife, and utility scissors Black fine and ultra-fine point Sharpies, 1 each, and a regular pencil Tweezers, and a small stiff paint brush for cleaning your block Spoon or a bone folder for transferring your designs from paper to block 1 sheet of fine grit sandpaper, blue painter’s tape For printing: mostly solid color fabrics of linen, cotton, or silk in a light color assorted papers in a light color For collage piece: background fabric 14”x18” assorted fabrics and papers typically used for collage type projects – papers can include decorative papers, Gelli plate prints, or others that you can sew through by hand II. Sewing and Hand Embroidery Supplies for Stitching Basic Sewing Kit, Sharp small scissors for embroidery, scissors for cutting paper, straight pins, regular hand sewing needles, regular sewing thread for basting, and. Beeswax for your thread, a small piece is fine or you can use a small candle (check your natural foods store) Ruler, rotary cutter, and small cutting mat Color Wheel, available at any art supply store or online Embroidery Floss and/or Perle Cotton a. DMC cotton embroidery floss in assorted colors, at least 3 Hand embroidery needles: I use assorted packs that are sizes 5-10.

John James, or DMC Fabric marking tools: this is what I use, but you are welcome to use whatever you prefer. – Stabilo white pencil #8052, water erasable marker (art supply stores) – Frixion Pens # 31557, set of 3 colors (from me, Amazon, or office supply stores) heat erasable pens
BIO: April Sproule is an artist who loves to work with textiles. With a strong background in design, sewing, and quilting, she has been a full-time award winning studio artist at Sproule Studios for many years.
In her workshops, April has a knack for making even the most difficult tasks seem simple as she leads students through a progression of techniques for printing and embellishing textiles. She shares her personal treasure trove of sewing and design skills while strongly encouraging participants to develop their own unique creative style. Through her exuberant and supportive teaching style, your sewing repertoire will be elevated to a new level.