DIY Block Printing...with Stuff You Have Around the House

by Lin

Your home is your craft supply store. Bet you didn’t know you can create pretty cool prints using stuff you have laying around the house.

diy block printing, crafts, how to, repurposing upcycling

For this DIY, I scoured my brother’s garage to find cotton cloths that I can use to print on. This is the best fabric for absorbing the paint. I believe these may be changing pads or cloth diapers or burp cloths, but as long as I didn’t have to buy something new, I was good with using them.

Here’s the stash:

1. Cotton fabric – could be a pillow case, tea towel, blanket, apron, bag, as long as it’s an absorbent material

2. Fabric paint

3. Button

4. Cork (to glue items to so you can get a good grip)

5. Glue

6. Q-tip

7. Disposable chop stick

8. Cedar block (I didn’t end up using it but I think it would make a great print)

9. Bottle cap

10. Potato

I first glued the stick of a Q-tip and button to corks so I can firmly hold them to print.

I then carved my potatoes for the more custom designs I wanted.

Cut off the ends of the Q-tip, attach the stick to the cork with glue, and start printing (dip the stick in paint and wipe off access paint with another Q-tip).

Use the end of a disposable chop stick to create the round tips.

For the potato prints, just dip in paint and start printing on the fabric!

Apply even, firm (not too much though) pressure.

Hang and dry for 1 day.

Enjoyed the project?

You can do it! Saved to your projects

Frequently asked questions

Have a question about this project?

Ask a Question

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 6 comments

Clyde H on Aug 21, 2015
I did potato stamping as a child in grade school back in the 60's.

2 Reply
Anna Columbia on Aug 21, 2015
Also use the bottom cut end of celery to make roses. I used potato stamping to paint an accent wall--looks like wallpaper.

Like Reply