Still plants…just a different perspective…

On my bio it says ‘passionate about plant & their uses’. There are many things I enjoy doing with the plants I grow. Some of those things are using the natural dyes in the plants. I enjoy hammering / pounding.

Hammering is a form of natural art that keeps the form and shape of the plant & uses the natural pigments of plant to colour the fabric. If the natural fabric is treated first, by mordanting, in this case I used Alum & 100% cotton. I then hammered the plants in the desired design to make this plaque for my mum. It is hung on her wall in a very light room with lots of windows & still has good colour 18 months later.

It took me about 4 hours to make in total, so time consuming, but that is what is special about personal handmade gifts isn’t it? The love that goes with them

Plants I used were:

Cotinus Smoke Bush ‘Royal Purple’ Leaves

Tithonia Arcadian Blend Leaves

False Hemp Leaves & Flowers (female)

Amaranthus Pony Tails Leaves

Verbena Bonariensis stem & flowers

Centura Dealbata flowers

Flax Perenne flower

Ophiopogon 'Nigrescens' Black Grass

Cosmos leaf

(& a clematis I can’t remember the name of atm)

If you want to try hammering / pounding & are not sure if the plants will work, it is a good idea to test them on watercolour paper first. I always use greaseproof paper above & below my fabric and a piece of hardwood like oak above & below as I believe it gives a much crisper result. There are many other little tips you pick up over time. If you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to ask, if I don’t know the answer, I can hopefully point you in the right direction  I have also dyed my own fabrics as well, as a tip, don’t go for edible plants as a rule of thumb, these are often stains rather than dyes (unless you’re wanting some messy quick fun with children over summer ) …

@just.me.in.my.garden