I represent to your attention a very simple tutorial that, I hope, will appeal to both adults and children. The idea of this DIY — prints of living plants on fabric. You can use different herbs from grocer's or a flower shop.
To create plant imprints on fabric, you need:
- Different plants (I used ferns, yarrow, clover, Boudreau hederacea).
- A smooth surface like a piece of plywood.
- Two-ply cloth or any other light natural fabric.
- Parchment or tracing paper, but I prefer parchment paper absorbs more juice and imprints are clearer and brighter.
- Hammer.
- Scissors.
Everything is very simple. Put a leaf on fabric, cover it with parchment paper and beat with a hammer with force.
It is best to beat a just picked plant because leaves begin to curl and fade even after a couple of minutes and the contour will be blurred. But if you still try the experiment at home, put the plant in a book when driving it home.
Fern is amazing:
Here are the results of my summer experiments:
Now, a test for colour stability.
Prints have much faded after washing in warm soapy water.
Fern turned out to be a tough nut to crack. Here is the pillow with fern after numerous washings in the washing machine.
And the best thing is hand wash — it really helps to save imprints for harsh winter evenings as a reminding of a warm summer.
Here is a little Easter wreath decorated with ribbons.