How to print the flowers 奇妙的花兒印染

 

Cant' thank more for my friends who like to do natural prints with me. Florence and Grace are sisters who are very supportive to my works and have joined my tutelage a few times.  They found the flower prints lovely particularly Lagerstroemia speciosa (大葉紫薇) and Hibiscus tiliaceus (黃槿) as the above image.

  To take the blooming season for the prints, they came again this Sunday for the flower prints. 

Before the workshop I went to collect some flowers along the coast.

很感謝朋友對我的創作支持，不下數次來跟我製作植物印染的姊妹日前再度來學習以新技巧做的花葉印染，半日的製作各做一件羊毛混綿及純𢇁圍巾，相信他們也滿意大葉紫薇及黃槿花的獨特製作過程。

 Up in the skies were those pretty purple / pink flowers - Lagerstroemia speciosa........

 

Heading to the other side of the harbour with stunning view........

lots of Hibiscus tiliaceus by the tranquil coast

 

A half day walk with handful flowers for the prints.

Started composition with assorted leaves and flowers on a piece of wool blend and another piece of silk wrap then bundle boiling for an hour.
 Before the workshop I told the girls it's interesting to make such prints with the new skills but not guarantee it's beautiful.  Yes I can't guarantee what mother nature gives. The outcome depends really on sorts of plants collected.

  Unwrapping is always exciting......

"What can we expect?  That flower is khaki."

 

"Oh, this one is yellowish."

Part of the wrap with composition of different flowers, leaves and shades.

Here are details of the two materials, wool blend and pure silk.

 

Two styles for two girls

 

This is for Grace. How do they like it?

Hunting on biking 騎行去拾花

 

These days I was hunting, hunting on riding then a quiet creation. 

The flowers prints on wool blend and silk are mainly Hibiscus tiliaceus ( 黃槿)

 

This silk scarf with a little pine needles and the heart-shaped eucalyptus from florist.

這兩天在新界東及北區騎單車，沿著吐露港及羅湖禁區邊的田野踏路，內地福田口岸高樓拔地而立，發展迅速，中港兩地互相輝映。

趁著黃槿花盛開花期，在騎行途中與友人在地上拾到的落花鋪於布料上包扎煮熱，成為獨特天然印染圍巾及衣裳布料。

  

 The last two days I was riding with two teams in the east and north of Hong Kong. The north is boundary of China.

 

 The farm houses in Ma Tso Long village (馬草叢村), very typical over the pond.

  Along the road leading to the north are fish ponds and farm lands.  China Futian (福田), just a stone's throw away in the front is now developed.

 Quite a contrast of the tranquility and the area of China with high rises.

Not long ago this area though also belongs to Hong Kong was a closed village with permits entrance only.  Now it's open and we're free to ride or walk for a closer look to China.

 The day I biked in the east along Tolo Harbour from Tai Wan to Tai Po. 

 What a beautiful day with rolling clouds.
We're blessed in a region with undulating mountains and water as well many outlying islands.

On the way back Bonnie found some Hibiscus tiliaceus(黃槿) flowers on the ground.  I told her that I love to print with.   

 

She got a handful for my printing.

 

Composition of plants on tumeric dyed wool blend cotton. 

I placed only on one end then folded the other for the mirror prints.

   

After an hour boiling, opened with curiosity. 

 Mirror prints on upper and lower parts.

 Quite bold and clear of the bottom prints

Fingers crossed to cut the fabric into half to make two tops with prints .....

or let it be a one length long dress ?

 

Another layout on the silk scarf. Same only placed on one end and folded to cover with ther other.

I usually boil for such size of bundles for only an hour then open it.

Clean and clear prints but I need to dye the middle part in yellow.

I put a little onion skins and tumeric with diluted alum water to simmer 20 min. Dipped in that yellow solution with the middle part of scarf then washed it immediately, air dry and iron it.  

 So simply a soft pretty scarf is made in 2 hours.
 Bonnie,  thank you for riding with me.  This scarf is over to you for the keepsake of the ride.

 

This is the simple placement and effect of the botanical printing. 

I have pdf instant download tutorials in my ETSY

Basic tutorial (English version) ,

Basic tutorial (Russian version)

Enhanced botanical imprints tutorial

Nature inspired creation - ecoprinting fabric 天然植物印染靈感

My recent works mostly are with some flower prints. Whenever I go hiking I would like to gather some fallen flowers for experiment. This knit silk jersey was made into a reversible Nuno felt dress after natural printing. Last hiking in Sai Kung was inspiring with the stunning views. Back home and I created a few pieces of prints.  Pictures below speak themselves.........

香港的郊野青綠處處，四季花卉燦爛，花開花落，洒在地上別有意境。近日我的創作嘗試了幾種在遠足時撿拾的落花，效果不錯且獨特，這針織𢇁料就是印了植物然後以羊毛混纎技巧製作的無縫裙子。

The day was brilliant to start our hiking from the water front......

那天清早到西貢遠足，晨光泛影......

Views of Ma On Shan and Tai Po in the further distance after an hour hiking

 與隊友從白沙澳往深涌，半山眺望馬鞍山。

Creek with running water after heavy rains

雨後流水潺潺，隊友互相照應渡溪。

After up and down then the easy coastal walk with the mountain view - the "Saddle Hill"

跨過一山又一灣，沿著海岸線，馬鞍山與八仙嶺山海連天。

Tranquil bay with fishing boats 漁排小島、藍天白雲.........

Stop under the shade of papaya leaves to have a closer look of Saddle Hill.

馬鞍山就在這片青翠木瓜葉的視線前，沿著路上拾了些黃槿與野山茶落花，回家靈感泉湧，就做了一些實驗製作.......

 

The fallen camellia just good for my experiment. 野山茶花滿地, 正好的印染材料.

Below are the images of "Before & After"  植物鋪陳經個多小時加熱後的比較

 

I love the prints on silk jersey as it's so soft. This is the dress made with nuno felt skill I love most, soft color and airy feel.

以花卉做的印染我比較喜愛這款很柔和的效果，因此以羊毛混纖技巧做了這件雙面穿著的裙子, 很輕柔的質感.