Workshop
An Introduction to Cyanotype on Fabric
Immerse yourself in the poetic world of cyanotype, a traditional printing technique that produces beautiful shades of blue.
Treat yourself to a moment out of time
Treat yourself to a creative retreat surrounded by nature, light, and serenity.
Throughout the workshop, you’ll discover the basics of cyanotype and learn how to create your own prints on paper and fabric. Each step of the process invites you to slow down and observe your surroundings with renewed attention.
You'll leave with…
🌿 Original creations made by your own hands.
🌿 A fresh perspective on nature and the magic of light—because you don’t have to know how to draw to create something beautiful. Sometimes all it takes is letting nature inspire you…and letting light reveal it.
🌿 A memoryof a moment ofcreativity, calm, and reconnecting with yourself.
On the agenda:
Introduction to the technique
– An Introduction to the History of Cyanotype
– Overview of the preparation and printing steps
– Use of sunlight or a UV lamp (depending on weather conditions)
Select your projects:
Project sizes are calculated to allow for UV lamp exposure in the absence of sunlight.
– 1st textile printing project (40×30 format): for a pillow, a bag, a wall decoration, or a piece to be incorporated into another fabric.
– 2nd project (20×15 format): on paper (for cards, bookmarks)
– 3rd project (20×15 format): on cotton (for a piece to be incorporated into another fabric)
Creating Your Cyanotypes
– Select inspiring plant materials from the herbarium provided, or from flowers, lace, and small objects you wish to bring
– Create the main project and the third project on a piece of fabric provided in advance that has been coated with cyanotype solution and allowed to dry
– Applying the cyanotype solution to the second project and letting it dry
– Exposure to natural UV light or under a lamp, depending on the weather
– Developing the prints in a water bath
Since the cyanotype requires time to dry, the sewing portion will be completed at a later stage.
Materials needed:
– An apron to protect your clothes while rinsing
– Thin plastic gloves or dishwashing gloves to protect your nails and hands from staining.
Materials provided:
– A 40 x 30 cm piece of linen, washed and pre-coated
– A 20 x 15 cm piece of cotton, washed and pre-coated
– A 20 x 15 cm sheet of watercolor paper to be coated at the beginning of class
– Photosensitizing solution for use on paper
– Brushes and rollers
– Cyanotype boxes in case of no sunlight
– Alligator clips
– Clothespins
– Protective plastic film
September
Friday, September 4, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. or Saturday, September 5, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
4 spots per group
3-hour workshop
The Haberdashery Workshop
14 Grande Rue, Morges, Switzerland
125 CHF
(workshop and materials included)
“Just like every human being, each cyanotype is unique and tells a story”
I am Cécile, the creative mind behind Cecile Au Zen.
I create textile art that tells a story of materials, natural beauty, elegant simplicity, impermanence, and plant wisdom.
My path in plant medicine has fostered a deep, intimate connection with the vegetal world.
I translate this sensibility onto natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, and hemp using traditional techniques like cyanotype, natural dyes, and shibori.