Gel printing on and with textiles is so exciting!

But what happens if we take it a step further and bring in simple textile techniques...

Hi, I'm Jayne Emerson...

Founder of the No Rules Textile Society, designer, author and creator of online courses that always ask...

"What If?!"

I have 30 years of experience, designing innovative, conceptual samples for clients ranging from Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga to John Lewis and Boden.

I love discovering new techniques and mixing them up and sharing them with you! For the last two years, I have been exploring all the possibilities of the gel plate, using it on and with textiles...

Take a virtual step into my studio...

Watch 'over my shoulder' as I explore the possibilities of gel plate printing when combined with textiles.

We will be making prints with thread, printing on spools, creating texture, using masks and mixing up a multitude of textile techniques with the plate. 

Get inspired, pause the video, go off on tangents and work at your own pace.

See your fabric stash in a whole new light!

Let's create beautiful prints that reveal the structure of our textiles. Then take the paint-covered textiles and celebrate their beauty. Use them and push all the possibilities.

Creativity just leads to more creativity and this quick, impatient printing process is just perfect for getting into creative flow! In fact it's just a little bit addictive...

The magic of play...

How can we justify playing anyway when all around us people ask, what’s it going to be or what’s it for?

Play is absolutely essential for discovering our own unique style . We discover what makes our hearts sing and what doesn’t, both are equally important.

What if there is no agenda? Just the pure fun of experimenting, embracing happy accidents...

Magic happens when you do this. You embark on a path that nourishes you and in turn you begin to create work that lights you up and learn what really doesn’t. This has an effect on our happiness not just in our textiles but in our whole life.

What's inside the course...

The course is made up of 6 hours of bite-sized inspirational lessons that you get to keep and have life-time access* to dip in and out of.

The course is not perfectly filmed, sometimes the table wobbles and my roller squeaks... but it is PACKED with ideas to IGNITE your imagination!! 

Introduction

Introduction and what to expect!!
Tools
Materials and Threads
Gel print terms - yes there's a whole new language to learn!
Caution!

Starting to Print

Printing on Fabric
Gel print colour play (from our NRTS Colour Prompt)

Printing with threads and yarns

Thread prints
Thread tangle multi layered ghost print
Ombre gel plate threads
More thread adventures...

Printing on threads and yarns

Printing tape
Inky spools
Gel print spool wave
Thread circle
Knotting, knitting and lace

Texture from textiles

Hessian unweaving gel print
Fraying fabric prints
Lace x gel printing
Art deco lace check
Net circles

Creating pattern with a comb!

Gel plate stripes (taken from our NRTS Stripe prompt)
Over printed checks
Comb swirl fabric print
Swirling adventures

Using masks...

Dot magazine masks with old gel prints
Sandra Blow inspired shapes
Ribbon stripes on the gel plate
Abstract masks on archived samples

Folds and Gathers

Gel printed folds (filmed as part of our explorations in our NRTS Fold prompt)
Plaits x gel printing
Pleats and tucks
Single thread gathers on the gel plate
Gathered curtain tape
Gather,crash,print...

Patchwork and the gel plate

Intro to patchwork x gel plate
Paper patchwork
Patchwork gel print with texture
Patchwork with fabric on the gel plate
Logcabin paper patchwork
Patchworking with prints

Stitch and the gel plate

Vintage embroidery x gel plate
Gel Plate Handstitch Explorations (from our NRTS Hand Stitch prompt)
String hand stitch on furnishing fabric
Torn silk hand stitch on furnishing fabric
Ideas for using the printed torn strips
Straight Machine Stitch on paper x gel plate
Free machine embroidery on paper...with no thread!

Magazine Transfers

Magazine transfer on fabric
Creating backgrounds for stitch...

Nature and the gel plate

Floral print ideas
Printing with artificial flowers
Floral gel print applique
Real leaves and flowers

More Technique Mix-ups...

Tyvek x gel printing
Water soluble experiments x gel plate
Needle-felt-x-Gel-print
Weave x gel print
Reprinting old samples

Printing on and with found objects

Ornate candle holder
Evening bag from a charity shop!
Vintage glass prints

Thank you and more inspiration!

Thank you for joining me on this gel print adventure!
No Rules Textile Society Member Focus - Margaret Ryall

FAQ's

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO THE CONTENT?

With my online courses you have *lifetime access. You can use the course like an inspiration library and dip in and out as you wish. With my No Rules Textile Society membership, there is a huge amount of content but you will only have access to it whilst you are a member. 

*lifetime means for as long as I am creating textiles (hopefully this will be a very long time!), or as long as the platform is in existence.

IS TUTOR HELP AVAILABLE?

All my online courses have comments boxes under the lessons where you can ask questions, share work or ideas. There is also a private Facebook group. I am very present both in the course comments and on social media, you can also email me jayne@norulestextilesociety.com

I offer monthly Open Studio Hours on Zoom for all my course participants and you will be invited to join these should you wish to pop along and chat.

In my No Rules Textile Society membership we meet for weekly Zooms to discuss our work and ideas, if you would like regular accountability, support and a wonderful like-minded tribe this is perfect. You can book private 1-2-1 sessions with me, if you would like more tailored feedback, inspiration or advice.

CAN I DOWNLOAD THE VIDEOS?

It is not currently possible to download the videos. Many students find it really useful to watch large sections at a time then make notes. My videos are really meant to inspire and fire up your imagination so that you are in the mood to play and invent in your own style. Do contact me if this poses a problem and we can discuss further strategies!

CAN I SHARE IMAGES & TECHNIQUES FROM COURSES?

You are more than welcome to share images of your work on social media. It would be wonderful if you could mention me, as it helps other find my courses and in turn allows me to continue making a living as an artist.  Please do not share, copy or distribute any of the course content. Also, if you create work that is clearly based on my demonstration pieces please do not attempt to sell it as ‘yours’. Jump off from these starting points and make the work your own :)

AM I ALLOWED TO SHARE MY LOGIN AND PASSWORD WITH FRIENDS?

Many of the techniques included in this course have taken me years to develop. I hope that they will provide wonderful jumping off points from which you can develop your own personal style. This course is for your personal use only and your purchase ensures that I can continue creating, developing and teaching. 

AM I ALLOWED TO USE YOUR CONTENT FOR MY OWN TEACHING?

Please don't directly share details of the processes that I teach. By all means, share the work you create though and please do tag me in so that I can see it and share it too!

If you would like to share the content with your group or educational establishment, get in touch and we can discuss a licensing agreement.

You can also book me for talks and workshops, both online and in person.

You can email me anytime jayne@norulestextilesociety.com

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?

If you are really unhappy with the course please do email me here or message me using the box provided on Podia. I always want my students to be happy with their purchase and will do my best to work out a solution with you.

I STILL HAVE A QUESTION, CAN I CONTACT YOU?

I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. You can send me an email at jayne@norulestextilesociety.com

Why Learn from me?

  • I have over 25 years experience as a conceptual textile designer. Selling internationally to clients ranging from Chanel and Dior to M&S and Boden.

  • Author of 6 craft books, including Simply Felt, The Impatient Patchworker and New From Old all about up-cycling your wardrobe

  • TV appearances with Kirstie Allsopp on her show Kirstie's Handmade Britain. Regular expert at her annual Handmade Fair

  • In-person workshops for Soho Farmhouse, Liberty, Dyson Institute, John Lewis, Festival of Quilts and The Knitting and Stitching Show.

  • Featured in Embroidery Magazine, Vogue, The Observer and The Makers Story

  • Founded reclaimed clothing label Salvage and sold collections to Koh Samui in London and Colette in Paris. 

  • An MA in Fashion from Central St Martins and a 1st class honours degree in Multi Media Textiles from Loughborough College of Art

  • I absolutely love sharing my ideas and techniques and I get super excited to see how you interpret them.