Saturdays · 14:00–16:30 · up to 5 guests · €75Find a date
The story
In India, a pattern starts with a block of carved wood, a tray of ink and a steady hand. For one Saturday afternoon, our table in Mitte works the same way.
Block printing has been done by hand for centuries: a block is inked, placed and pressed, then lifted and placed again until the motif repeats across the cloth. Karvishi, who founded Esoraa and works with artisans in India, shows you how it is done and where it comes from. Then the blocks are yours, and the chai keeps coming.
Hand pressing a block onto fabric
01Ink, place, press, liftThe rhythm is simple and it repeats. After a few prints your hands find it on their own, which is why block printing is often called meditative.
A pattern taking shape, from above
02No template, no wrong printYou choose the blocks, the colours and where they go. A slight offset or uneven ink is exactly what makes a hand print look hand printed.
Two guests holding their printed totes
03Leave with something you madeYour organic cotton tote goes home with you, along with your practice swatches. Bring a T-shirt or scarf if you would like to print on that too.
From the table · 5.0 on konfetti
“My partner and I had a great time doing the block printing workshop. Karvishi was a great instructor, giving clear instructions, attention, and help to get everyone comfortable with the technique.”
A guest, via konfetti
“Kept seeing this on Instagram and finally booked. Two and a half hours went really fast and I use the tote every day now.”
Lena, Tote Edition
“My sister gave me this for my birthday. I’m not usually a crafts person, but I had a great afternoon and the bag goes everywhere with me.”
Julia, with a gift card
The workshop
Everything you need to know
WhenSaturdays, 14:00 to 16:30
WhereA private home studio on Kastanienallee, Berlin Mitte. Address sent after booking.
GroupUp to 5 guests. Larger groups by private booking.
Price€75 per person, everything included
IncludedHand-carved wooden blocks, inks, tools and an organic cotton tote. Unlimited masala chai and traditional snacks. Prefer coffee, or something bubbly for a celebration? Tell us and we’ll set the table.
BringNothing. Optionally a T-shirt, scarf or fabric to print on.
LevelNo experience needed. All ages welcome.
LanguageEnglish
How the 2.5 hours run
15 minChai and the history of block printing
45 minGuided practice on fabric swatches
75 minPrinting your own tote bag
Your host
Karvishi, founder of Esoraa
“I’ve worked with textiles my whole life. Block printing is the part I wanted to share, because you learn it in an afternoon and you leave with something you actually made. And I make very good chai.”
From the table
Hand pressing a block onto fabricPrinting a tote with wooden blocksTwo guests holding their printed totesA pattern taking shape, from aboveA finished block printed toteA printed tote drying on a chair
Questions
See you at the tableSaturdays at 14:00 in Kastanienallee, Mitte. Gift cards available.
Hand pressing a block onto fabric
A pattern taking shape, from above
Two guests holding their printed totes
