The course encourages students to experiment various techniques in order to acquire a basic knowledge of the principles of textile printing and dyeing. Through practical experience, attention is drawn to the development of textile printing throughout the centuries from simple block printing to more complex techniques such as screen printing.
The course covers the following items:
· Preparation of dye baths and print pastes using fibre reactive dyes.
· Screen printing - A technique of printing by which the pattern is produced on a screen and the dyestuff applied through it. Students construct and prepare the screen, transfer a pattern then register and print a short length up to three colour ways.
· Resist printing - An impermeable substance is applied to the fabric which resists the dye and as a result a pattern is formed. Among the techniques experimented are batik, flour resist and plangi (tie and dye).
· Direct printing and dyeing - Patterns are applied directly to the fabric by block, stencil, brushes, etc. and then fixed by steaming.
· Textile design - a brief study of traditional designs and motifs. How to create a repeat pattern suitable for printing fabric lengths.
If students may bring their own fabric, which must be 100% natural fibre, e.g. cotton, linen or silk. Dyes used throughout the course are not suitable for synthetics or wool. Rubber gloves and suitable clothes are advisable.

• pictures of the workshops