Learn eco-friendly printing techniques

A WORKSHOP on how to eco print onto fabric and watercolour paper will be held at Haddon Community Learning Centre next month.

Eco printing is a natural form of dyeing where colours from plant materials are transferred onto natural fibre fabrics by steaming or boiling.

The session, which costs $60, will be run by artist Catriona Sexton on Friday 8 September from 10am.

“Eco printing is using the dyes from the eucalyptus leaves, and they come directly out onto the medium that you’re using,” said Sexton.

“They’re compressed between a couple of tiles or wrapped around a stick and tied down and steamed for a period of time and the dye comes out of the leaves.”

Sexton had participated in printing years ago but recently got into using natural dyes.

“A couple of years ago I got involved with lino printing and eucalyptus dye project which was run by the University of New South Wales and exhibited in Castlemaine,” she said.

“From there I went on to eco printing with eucalyptus species and I’m finding it quite fascinating.”

Attendees may like to bring rubber gloves, a mask, watercolour paper and natural plain fabrics, otherwise watercolour paper and silk can be purchased on the day.

If participants wish to bring their own fabric, they must pick up preparation instructions.

“Silks, wools, cottons or linens that are well washed so there is no chemical residue in them in either white or cream is the best,” said Sexton.

More information can be found at haddonlearning.org.au.