Blueprinting and ceramic painting workshop
Blueprinting has been her passion for over 40 years. Elke Schlüter is one of the last people in Germany still practicing this ancient craft. But she is not thinking of stopping. "I enjoy it too much for that."
When you enter the Blaudruckerei on Münsterstraße, you are immersed in another world. Time hasn't stood still here, but you get the feeling that it runs more slowly here. No stress, no hectic pace. No machines, no computers. Even the group of women who are painting their objects in the ceramics workshop talk about relaxation. "Here you can calm down," they say.
Everything is done by hand in Elke Schlüter's blueprinting workshop: from the design to sewing the fabric and printing. She explains how blue printing works. Elke Schlüter stamps the cardboard onto the fabric using models, as the large wooden blocks with the brass printing pieces on them are called. She has 800 samples of these models on her shelf. "The imprint of the color-revealing mass then ensures that the color is not absorbed in the dye bath and leaves a corresponding white pattern on the indigo-dyed fabric," says Elke Schlüter.
The large dyeing well into which the fabric is dipped is located in the back room. Lowered 2.20 meters into the ground and filled with 1500 liters of dye. "Original blue printing is the blue round," explains Elke Schlüter. And you can literally experience a blue miracle: If you dip the cardboard-printed fabric into the dye bath and pull it out again after about 20 minutes, the fabric is initially yellowish-green and then slowly turns blue. "This color change was like a miracle for people in the 17th century. And that's how the saying 'experience a blue miracle' came about," explains Elke Schlüter.
The explanation is very simple: indigo must first be reduced before it dissolves in water. In layman's terms, a particle of oxygen has to be removed from the dye. It then combines with water and colors the fabric yellow. It then recovers the oxygen particle when exposed to air. The oxidation turns the fabric blue.
You are welcome to print and dye under guidance in the blue printing workshop in Lüdinghausen. Elke Schlüter provides the workshop, you can use all the models, Schlüter has the fabrics ready. She takes care of the sewing, washing and ironing of the finished items.
Ceramic painting workshop:
Elke Schlüter invites people to get creative together. "I saw this when I was visiting my son in Hamburg. I thought: we'll do that too. It also goes well with blueprinting." We are talking about the new ceramic painting workshop that Elke Schlüter has set up on the upper floor of the Blaudruckerei. Whether as a group or alone, anyone can paint cups, plates, vases, candlesticks, bowls, pots and much more to their heart's content.
And it's as simple as this: you choose the right ceramic object, paints, brush, sponge or stamp and a motif. And off you go. "Anyone can do it," says Elke Schlüter. "It's also fun and relaxing," say the ladies I'm allowed to look over their shoulders as they paint.
Very important: your hands must be washed beforehand, as there must be no grease on the ceramic. Once the work of art is finished, Elke Schlüter glazes it. Then it goes into the kiln. "Incidentally, the paint is non-toxic, so a visit to the ceramics workshop is also ideal for children's birthday parties. A baby's footprint on ceramic is also possible and certainly makes a great gift for grandma and grandpa," says Elke Schlüter.
The ceramic painting workshop is open during blueprinting opening hours and by appointment. Elke Schlüter can also imagine girls' evenings. There is room for a maximum of 12 people in the ceramic painting workshop. Costs: You pay a flat rate for the ceramics.
Blueprinting workshop Elke Schlüter
Münsterstraße 51, 59348 Lüdinghausen
Tel. 02591 / 1759
