Designed Stamped Pillow

100 lb. watercolor paper
linoleum cutter with various blades
rubber carving block
charcoal or carbon paper
2 to 4 yards of cotton fabric with matching thread
polyester filling
fabric inkpad or printmaking ink
brayer
sewing machine
computer and printer or copy machine
scissors
pen
permanent marker
pencil

Steps:

Making the Print

1) Create a drawing or sketch for the print.

2) Make a copy of the drawing on a copy machine.

3) Reverse the image using a computer software program or a copy machine. When the image is transferred to the linoleum block, it will be the reverse. Remember this if you are including any text.

5) Outline the transferred drawing with a standard ballpoint pen (figure B). Outline the drawing with thick enough lines, so you have room to cut around.

6) Decide whether to use the negative or positive space for the image. For this project, we cut out the negative space, which means we are not cutting on the lines, just around them.

7) Practice using linoleum tools in a large area. The tools are extremely easy to use; just make sure you are comfortable with them before cutting out any detailed areas.

9) Test the print on 100 to 140 pound watercolor paper. Ink the stamp with either a fabric base inkpad or traditional printmaking ink with a brayer. Either is fine to use, just make sure it can be used on fabrics. Note: Do not use fabric paint.

10) Flip the block over onto the paper, being careful not to move the image once it is on the paper. Begin with one color ink.

11) Press firmly, all around the print. Carefully lift one corner of the block to check the print. If the image is too light, add more ink or press harder (figure D).

12) Review the drawing to determine if there are any changes or updates to make. Remember, you can always take more away but you can never add. The print should look like you hand-carved it.