Monday, August 5, 2013

By Hand - 'Oasis' in meterage



I've had a customer order to print up my Oasis design in meterage... oh my what a job! Yes 
it's finished and hopefully she'll like it. There's something so satisfying about printing these 
up - slow and tedious if you're in a rush, but it can be such a rewarding meditative process if 
you tweak your mind to a good attitude :) 





I really love the idea of 'made by hand'... and when you're talking about block printing, with 
single block and having to re-ink for each impression, it really is a labour of love. It rates 
very highly on the job satisfaction scale I think ;)  Having said that, economic realities also 
bite and I admit that I've been looking into 'outsourcing' options for getting my designs 
printed in meterage - if you have any suggestions I'd appreciate hearing about them :)

22 comments:

  1. Hey Kylie, it looks beautiful. I have a friend Simon who is a textile designer in Bali, he has some of his designs block printed in India by individual crafts people. I think because he is a lone operator and not a big concern he does it all at a fair traid rate. I will e mail him and ask. His fabrics always look beautiful, though he does go there and negotiate and discuss in person. Will let you know if i have any joy. XX

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    1. Wow! That sounds amazing Jane. Thank you so much :) Kx

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  2. I'd have to agree about the labour of love idea. I blocked printed fabric a couple of years ago and made pjs for a friend (see pic here):

    http://www.mizudesigns.blogspot.com.au/2010/05/all-things-blossom-like.html

    It was in no way as dense as your design, so I can only imagine how time consuming yours would have been. But it is curiously fun too, I'd agree.

    Lovely stuff Kylie!

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    1. Thanks Kylie :) I'm sure you know exactly how it feels, and more. I dream of being as good as you. Kx

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  3. wow you really do need to find some place to out source this because whist it is a very therapeutic thing to do once...I'm not sure it will feel like that when you are printing metre beyond metre. which is what you will be doing because we are all going to want at least a metre of this! I hope you find somewhere, Kylie. It is truly beautiful. x

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  4. Wow Kylie - this is just brilliant!
    So much patience - it looks perfect!x

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    1. Thanks Jennie :) It's certainly not perfect - a bit of wonk is unavoidable but nice ;) Kx

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  5. Kylie, your work is simply gorgeous.

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  6. You could create a screen with the repeat pattern and then get it (hand) screen printed.

    Or load the repeat up to Spoonflower, but that would lose the handmade element all together...

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    1. Thanks for this :) They are options I have been mulling over, but yes, it always seems to come down to losing that handmade quality, doesn't it? Thanks. Kx

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  7. I have just come across your blog for the first time...via Naturally Carol. This fabric is amazing! I can only imagine that you must have been very nervous by the end that you don't make a mistake?

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    1. Haha! Thank you Jill :) Yes, you are absolutely right ;)
      Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment - I appreciate it :) Kx

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  8. Wow! It looks amazing and yes you must have been so patient and brave to do this!
    As you say, handmade 100% makes it even more special. Excellent work Kylie!

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