Block Printing BYOF (Bring Your Own Fabric) Workshop with Paaras Abbas

Join Ahista Stories and Paaras Abbas for a block printing workshop, where you will learn how to use traditional hand carved wooden blocks from Sindh, Pakistan, with non-toxic fabric inks, in order to breathe new life into clothes or linen you already own. You’ll learn how to compose a design, correctly apply fabric ink to wooden blocks, and print repeat patterns using sets of complementary blocks.

This is the second in a series of three BYOF (Bring Your Own Fabric) Workshops that celebrate South Asian Heritage Month through hands-on work with upcycling techniques including natural dye, block printing and embroidery.

The Block Printing workshop will begin with a presentation by Zainab Mahmood from Ahista Stories on the history of block printing and the connection between fast fashion crises and the exploitation of artisans in South Asia, Pakistan in particular. Then textile artist Paaras Abbas will guide participants through block printing using traditional techniques learned from her mentor in Bhit Shah, Sindh. 

We strongly urge you to bring your own fabric to fully engage with the ethos of this series.

Fabric guidance: Participants should bring white or light coloured cotton or linen items. Scrap fabric will be provided for experimentation and deadstock cotton tote bags will be available to purchase for those who do not have their own fabric, but we highly suggest bring your own to fully participate in the ethos of this afternoon. 

This workshop is designed as a standalone, but we would love participants to attend our Creative Needlework workshop and build on the same piece of fabric to gain a more holistic experience of upcycling. Discounts will be provided to those who wish to attend the next workshop as well (stay tuned for the event listing).

The event space at Tooting Works is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with a unisex disabled bathroom and baby changing facilities. The closest station is Tooting Broadway, which is on the Northern Line. The closest mosque is less than 15 minutes away, but we can also create a prayer corner in the workshop space.

Follow Ahista Stories and Paaras on Instagram to learn more about previous workshops and what to expect from BYOF Workshops this summer.

This project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.