Class Descriptions
Experience Our Range of Classes & Workshops
To express interest in a class not currently on offer, or if you are a textile artist interested in teaching at Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op, please email us at info@textilestudio.ca
In this introductory workshop, students will learn how to print with beautiful hand-carved wooden blocks on textiles and paper. Explore the complexities of repeat patterning and learn to plan and print your own design using traditional methods. Led by block print artist Munira Amin, students will experiment with different media and will then print a textile table runner as well as papers. A slide presentation showing hand block printing methods as practiced in South Asia will round out the day.
Block
Printing
Botanicals:
Print + Stitch
In this one-day workshop students will explore the essence of a plant by creating a botanical artwork using screen printing and embroidery techniques. In the morning, we will walk through the basics of screen printing to create a design on fabric for further image-making. Students are encouraged to bring their own leaf or flower specimens for this purpose but there will also be a selection of items to choose from. The afternoon will be spent working with this image to create details and embellishments using simple embroidery stitches and other hand work, like beading. This workshop is designed for all skill levels.
Phulkari
Embroidery
In this workshop led by embroidery specialist Rafia Shafiq, students will learn about Phulkari, a traditional geometric stitch technique from Pakistan and India. Each student will leave the workshop with a beautiful Phulkari embroidery, updated through their own choice of a modern colour palette. They will also learn about the history, origin, stories and different connotations of Phulkari embroidery through Rafia's own journey and research, viewing her journals and outstanding embroidery collection. All materials will be provided in class.
Material Dialogues:
Intuitive
Indigo Dyeing,
Hand-Piecing and
Stitching
A contemplative, three-week journey of explorations in dyeing, hand-piecing and stitching, as well as opportunities for self-reflection and mindful practice. Working in community, participants will be given the opportunity to create a narrative cloth that can be further transformed into a stitch journal or left as an artwork. All levels of experience are welcome.
Stitched and indigo dyed fabrics by studio member Carolanne Graham
Fabric marbling is an ancient pattern making technique in which pigments are dropped on a thickened liquid surface and a print is made from the resulting design. In this full day of Fabric Marbling 101, students will learn the fundamentals and both traditional and experimental techniques for marbling on fabric, including how to set up a marbling bath, prepare fabrics, the best inks to use, and different approaches to patterning. The second half of the workshop will include a small self-directed project, and students will leave the workshop with a series of cotton samples, a large marbled silk scarf, and the confidence to explore the technique further. All necessary materials will be available at the workshop, no experience necessary.
Fabric
Marbling
Open Studio
Sessions
Open Studio Sessions provide access to our beautiful, fully-equipped space to work independently on a printing project. Past students, or artists/craftmakers with experience can work in a self directed manner with feedback and technical assistance from a knowledgeable instructor. This session is ideal for brushing up on skills, completing a project from a previous class, or as production time. Participants must provide their own screens, tools, and materials and will have access to: a large spray sink for cleaning screens, heat press, irons, hair-dryers, towels, and aprons. Screen preparation services are available for an additional cost.
For more information about screen exposure services, group bookings, starter kits, or to discuss your project, please email us at info@textilestudio.ca
Screenprinting
This exciting course gives an insight into the skills of silkscreen printing onto a variety of fabrics and papers. You will learn how to translate your ideas into prints through stencils and how to prepare and expose images onto screens and print using water-based materials. This course is designed for those who enjoy experimentation and new methods of using colour, texture and a variety of print techniques and processes. All levels of experience are welcome.
