I used Dyer's Muslin for the fabric. I selected plants from my indoor plants including asparagus fern, another fern and a red shamrock plant. This technique is very easy but it is important to select plants that have pigments that will transfer to the fabric. I positioned the plants on the fabric and covered it with a thick paper towel (under and over the muslin). Then you take a light weight hammer and "pound" the flower or plant to release the pigments in the plants. You may notice the veins in the leaves which I think is very neat. The picture doesn't really do it justice. It is amazing because the color of the flowers are sometimes different from the blooms. I "pounded" a fuschia geranium plant I brought in for the winter and the color was a bright lilac. I decided to try the red shamrock plant and loved the combination of the subtle green from the ferns with the richer red/browns of the shamrock.
Pretty neat! I forget to do that! Does it work on silK? Thanks
Thanks! I haven’t tried it on silk. I looked in a book I have “The Art & Craft of Pounding Flowers” by Laura Martin and she says silk does work.
“There are many different types of sliks, including satins, organza, taffeta, velvet, jersey, chiffon, and brocade, most of which were unsuitable for hammereing art. Crepe de chice, however, held the impressions beautifully and is wonderful to use for making fine garments.” (Pg 11, Martin, Art and Craft of Pounding Flowers, 2003).
I hope this helps. Try it & see what you think. Glad you like the fabric. The picture doesn’t do it justice & I hope you get one of the swatches in the samples.
Michelle