Screen Printing Workshop

On Saturday Roz and I went along to Bespoke Atelier we had booked with itison for a bargain £25 for a 5 hour workshop.

A five hour beginners’ textile workshop with the experts at Bespoke Atelier at The Glue Factory where you’ll learn a variety of techniques from creating stencils to using a silkscreen to produce your own tote bag

It was situated in an old glue factory in the north of Glasgow in a huge open plan studio.  Our teachers, who met at art school and run the business together, have created an excellent way to learn a new skill.  They made it so much fun but were very informative and keen to share their knowledge to help you make something beautiful.  The girls were so enthusiastic and helpful, time just flew past and we were sad to have to go at the end of the day.

Out teachers - Marion and Yvonne

We had SUCH an amazing time we have already booked to go back next week for the 2 day intermediate course!!  We had been told we could bring some of our own fabric to make some more items other than the bag so Roz and I made a quick stop at Mandors on the way and managed to pick up some great fabrics for more bags and cushions.  We managed to make so many prints in the 5 hours and can't wait to sew them into the final products but we have loads left for when we go back to make more.


The course was really well organised and even though there were around 12 of us on the day, there was plenty of space and everyone was so keen and really enjoyed making up designs and helping each other out. It was a great atmosphere and our wonderful teachers were always on hand with hints and tips or to lend a hand if required.

Tracing my stencil

Practice piece of calico ready for printing

Stencil stuck to screen and surrounded by magazines to protect the edges from overspill

Stencil and checked screen in place

The result!

We soon moved on to our fabric to start making patterns for cushions and had great fun coming up with different designs.  I was a bit predictable and boring and just did lots of different dragonfly designs as I love them so much but Roz made a few fantastic different ones with thistles, hearts and stripes and borrowed my dragonfly template which seemed to be popular :)

Roz cutting out her stencil with the scalpel

I decided to do a design with different sizes of dragonflies on a cushion for the study and drew around some dragonfly magnets I have.

The moment of truth!

Washing off the ink with the jet washer

For my included tote bag I tried a design I saw someone else do with elephants with one being lighter than the other but decided to overlap them.

My Olive Dragonfly bag!  :)
Picture taken by Roz

I also made a bright coral piece with 4 grey dragonflies to make in to a bag and a white piece with an experimental teal dragonfly which was supposed to be ombre and turned out more tie-dye style but I love it!

Roz and I are already planning what to make next time (I have a gorgeous piece of grey fabric to make a scarf covered in dragonflies as we can do repeating patterns next time) and a day of sewing to turn all of our prints into stunning bags and cushions to adorn us and our homes!