SINGAPORE — An age-old printing technique has been made more-easily available here, under handprinted textile design studio Fictive Fingers. Run by a pair of sisters Hani and Aisah Dalduri, the studio specialises in pattern design on textile using screen printing.

The self-taught artists simplify the technique to make it more accessible for people with no prior knowledge to pick up, but at the same time covering the fundamentals so students can advance from there if they want to.

“Creating simple motifs and printing them on fabric surfaces like totes and T-shirts was once our way to stay creative amid our busy lifestyles at the time. So we hope to offer the same to our participants,” Aisah shared.

Their classes, which have been going on for four years, are popular, with a significant rise especially over the past three years. The studio has an ever-growing local wait list and participants fly in from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Dubai — to name a few — solely to book a private session, said Aisah.

“Our participants are typically working adults who are seeking a creative outlet, to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Our classes are also popular with families who would book a private session at the studio so even the little ones and their grandparents can have a go.”

According to Aisah, most of the participants would comment on how therapeutic it is to be creating something by hand. They see it as a way of slowing down and allowing them to live in the moment, witnessing the entire process of how an idea could turn into a tangible product.

“The slow movement is gradually making its way in Singapore through influential content by slow-living blogs (sites that encourage enjoying life while at a slower pace) and the globally acclaimed Kinfolk Magazine, so we definitely think it will continue to appeal to Singaporeans over the next few years,” she added.