Eco-Print Cards & Bundle-Dye Fabric at Muswell Hill Creatives Make & Mend

Discover the magic of eco-printing! Create beautiful greetings cards and bundle-dye a scarf/ bandana using leaves, flowers and food waste.
About this Event

Discover the magic of botanical colour and create your own unique eco-printed pieces

Come and create something truly unique by joining Sharon Mitchell of Leaf Thief Prints in a hands-on, experimental eco-printing session. Working with leaves, flowers and food waste, you will discover how botanical materials can create beautiful colours, shapes, textures and unexpected compositions on paper and fabric.

The workshop begins with an introduction to eco-printing, followed by an exploration of the botanical materials used throughout the session. Discover the role of mordants and dye blankets, and how they help natural colours and plant pigments transfer onto paper and fabric.

During the workshop you will:

• Create a set of eco-printed greetings cards using leaves and other botanical materials on pre-mordanted paper. Your finished cards will come with complimentary envelopes, ready to give or send.
• Experiment with dye blankets to discover how they can introduce additional colour and depth to your prints.
• Arrange the botanical materials and dye blankets correctly on your cards, ready for the magic to happen in the steamer!
• Create your own bundle-dyed silk or cotton scarf/bandana using flowers and food waste on pre-mordanted fabric. No leaves will be used for this part of the workshop.
• Learn how to roll and tie your fabric bundle correctly to help achieve beautiful prints when the fabric is steamed.
• Discover the exciting element of surprise as you unwrap your paper and fabric bundles and reveal the colours, shapes and patterns created by the leaves, flowers and food waste.
• Take home your own unique collection of eco-printed cards and your individually created bundle-dyed scarf/bandana.

Time to relax and explore

There will be a break during the workshop where you can relax, chat with other participants, and explore some of my eco-printed work and, shop from the makers market and enjoy refreshments.

The joy of eco-printing

Eco-printing is a wonderfully unpredictable process. Even when using the same materials and techniques, every print can turn out differently. The final reveal is part of the magic as you never quite know what colours, marks and patterns will emerge until the bundle is opened.

By the end of the session, you will have created your own finished pieces and gained an understanding of the basic techniques, materials and processes needed to begin experimenting with eco-printing at home.

What’s included?

All materials and equipment are provided, so please do not bring your own paper or fabric as these will not be used.

Your workshop includes:

• Pre-mordanted paper for your greetings cards
• Complimentary envelopes
• A pre-mordanted silk or cotton scarf/bandana, depending on your preference
• A selection of leaves and flowers
• Food waste and other natural dye materials
• Pre-prepared dye blankets
• Non latex biodegradable gloves
• All necessary equipment and materials for the printing process
• A worksheet, which will be emailed to you after the workshop, explaining the eco-printing process and techniques covered during the session

What do I need to bring?

Please bring:

• An apron
• A willingness to experiment, get creative and have fun!

Please Note – Children Aged 6+

Children aged 6 and over are welcome to attend, provided that an accompanying adult is present with them throughout the workshop.

One ticket covers one child and one accompanying adult, with one set of workshop materials provided for them to share and work on together.

As places around the tables are limited, if the workshop is fully booked, only one chair can be provided per booking. The child and accompanying adult will therefore need to work together from the same place at the table.

Muswell Hill Creatives is a collective of artists, designers and makers founded in 2014 to champion creativity and celebrate quality craftsmanship in North London.

On Saturday 17 October, it will be bringing people together to get creative at its 8th Make and Mend Festival - the 1st to be held at the iconic art deco Hornsey Town Halll in thriving and creative Crouch End.

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a total beginner looking to spark a new passion, the event is your invitation to slow down, create, and connect. Visitors are invited to participate in making and mending workshops to learn new skills and take up new hobbies, as well as shopping from artists at the mini makers market.

Refreshments will be served by the Stroud Green WI and Sean's Shack which is open daily at the Hornsey Town Hall serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and more.
ADMISSION TO THE EVENT IS FREE. Workshop prices and more information about the event is