7 Ways to Use Block Print Wallpaper and Fabrics To Brighten Your Home
Block print fabrics and wallpapers are EVERYWHERE and I love it! Block print fabrics have a hand-created look that adds personality and character to your home and there are various ways to incorporate it. Let’s see how to use it!
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Block print fabrics and goods are sprouting up all over the place, including West Elm, Pottery Barn, Target, Spoonflower, and from designers like Molly Mahon Fabrics & Wallpapers, Katel Home, John Robshaw,
Image courtesy of West Elm
What are block print wallpaper and fabrics?
The art of block printing goes back more than 500 years and is mainly done in India. Typically, wooden blocks are intricately carved into designs. The carved wooden blocks are dipped into richly colored dyes and stamped onto fabrics and beautiful pieces are created.
Those fabrics are then made into blankets, pillows, napkins, bedding, apparel, and more! They’re usually a lightweight fabric and are ideal for summer decorating and clothing items.
How to use block print fabric and wallpaper in your home
There are so many ways to use block prints in your home as well as adding them to your wardrobe. You can add small doses or go all out. It’s up to you, and here are a few ideas.
1. Block Print Throw Pillows
Throw pillows and covers are an easy item to add and you can find them on etsy, Pottery Barn, and many other places. They range in price from $20 to over $150, depending on the type of material and details.
Here are a few favorite block print pillows:
2. Block Print Quilts and Throw Blankets
Block print blankets and quilts are lightweight and range in color from neutral to bold and colorful. Many are made in the traditional kantha style but some have a more regular quilting style to them.
What is a kantha or Indian quilt?
Kantha is a quilt made from cotton fabric, usually block printed, and sewn together using a running stitch. It can be one large design or several smaller pieces of fabric pieced together and then made into a patchwork-type quilt.
Kantha quilts are a great way to add color to your bedroom for summer. Smaller ones are wonderful as throw blankets. See more here:
3. Block Print Tablecloths
Block print tablecloths will make your meal feel like a special occasion. They’re full of pattern and color and add so much personality to the setting. You can get them in various sizes and shapes.
I’ve found a couple of really pretty vintage block print tablecloths at estate sales. Here are some favorite finds from shops:
4. Block Print Napkins
If you only want a small amount of block prints, start with block print napkins. They’ll make your everyday dishes look like a million bucks!
Shop Block Print Napkins
Shop my curated collection of hand block print napkins. There are over 50 varieties to choose from with a range of prices.
5. Block Print Wallpaper
Adding block print wallpaper to a room or and accent wall is a great way to infuse color and personality to it. There are some great designs available and here are some favorites:
Shop Block Print Wallpaper
Shop my curated collection of block printed wallpaper. You’ll find a large variety of patterns, colors, and prices.
6. Block Print Stencils
If wallpaper isn’t in the budget or if you just can’t find the right color then you can create your own look with a block print stencil. It takes a bit of time but is a huge money save if you’ve got the energy to do it. See how I stenciled our bathroom floor here: How to Stencil a Linoleum Floor
Favorite Stencil Sources
7. Block Print Dresses
Adding block prints to your wardrobe is just as much fun and the bright colors are perfect for summer. Here are some favorite block print dresses:
8. Block Print Fabric
There are dozens if not hundreds of gorgeous block print fabric available by the yard. With basic sewing skills you can easily make your own napkins, tablecloths, and pillows. And if you’re more advanced you can sew your own dresses and more.
Here are my favorite block print fabrics and sources:
- Spoonflower – artist-created designs that can be purchased by the yard or made into many different home goods like pillows, napkins, placemats, tea towels, and wallpaper! It’s a wonderful way to have something unique in your home.
- Etsy – Hundreds of colorful, hand blocked fabrics straight from the sources are available here. See my curated collection for my favorite picks.
8. Sun Print Artwork
One of my favorite art projects is my sun prints. It’s a somewhat similar look to block printing and only requires a simple sun printmaking kit. I made mine with a special paper kit but you can also make sunprint fabric with this special cyanotype fabric.
More ways to add block print items to your home
You can also add things like block print lampshades and lino cut prints if you want to introduce block prints into your home.
Make your own block print items
If you love to make your own prints, you’ll definitely want to check out the Craftsy Block Printing Fabric Class. You’ll learn how to use a block printing starter kit to create your blocks and print on fabrics and other surfaces. I just bought one and am looking forward to learning how to use it! Stay tuned to see what I make!
What do you think of the block print trend? Leave me a comment below and let me know if you have any block print items or if they’re on your wish list!
