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?

DIY tunic dress with natural prints 植物印染襯裙

 The natural printed and dyed tunic dress I made last weekend. I want to give it to a very special friend Amy W. whom we know since we're 12. A cherished friendship for me.

 

That night with the simple cutting  and sewing I made it with Mogi's company.

    

I bought the silk fabric for sampling  before applying for big projects.  With the composition of Lagerstroemia speciosa and own planted Cosmos, bundle boiled for an hour.

It works well. The big rolls of fabrics will be for upcoming workshop overseas and the samples are just fine for my creation.

 

Another piece I printed with the leaves trimmed by a gardener in a park.  I don't know the proper name.

Two panels front and back and the sides dyed in light tumeric to match the yellow tone.  That's the complete dress with draping folds.

 

 A simple tunic dress is made

 

Wish my good friend likes this dress I made for her.

 My friend Amy W. is a nice supporter to my works and we're going to a farm studio for indigo dye tomorrow. The backdrop behind Mogi is a silk dyed in indigo last year in Spain. I'm really into that sort of dyes with natural prints learnt in Irit Dulman's workshop. Hope to learn locally to explore more.

Creation in June 創意六月

 

June is particularly means to me. The month I was born, the month my son was born.  I find many excuses to celebrate in June.........

六月份是可喜的，我的生日及兒子出生月，就是很多藉口去慶祝去分享.......

上周與遠足隊友在藍天白雲走上山頂，視野無際⋯⋯

  回家路上大葉紫薇落花處處，告訴我盛夏來臨 ，好好把握這落花時節做我的創作.......就此做了這些印染。

 Last Friday morning before heading to Central, the assembly point for hiking, lots birthday wishes pouring in.  Friends' thoughtfulness already made me a day.

 We went up The Peak.  What a brilliant day with blue skies and rolling clouds !

 Up there we can see the further outlying islands, the cargo ships and some boats like ants over the sea. On the way my friend asked how I was up to these days.  I said same old just exploring eco printing, wool felting, teaching, managing my web site and answering queries.  I said no matter how busy I am I must do biking and hiking.  My friend said that's how we should enjoy while we're still doing well physically and it's simple to make own happy.  I couldn't agree more.  I am also delighted for my new listing of botanical enhanced eco printing tutorial eBook in my ETSY and it sells well since launched in two weeks.

 

Happiness consists in contentment. Life is happy with creation.  I love my teams.  Being with them I ride with my legs all over the mountains, trails up and down with nature inspired for my creation. After hiking, biking and celebration with family and friends of my birthday, Again indulged myself in experiments of the seasonal flower Lagerstroemia speciosa.

 

This is my favorite flower.  Now blooming in town and will last for a few months.

Can't resist to pick up some on the ground.

With a few casaurina, eucalyptus, the flowers and the leaves, I played the magic for the prints on cochineal dyed silk.

 After an hour boiling the prints come out with mordant.

            I'm quite pleased with the flower prints with outline and hue of stamens.

The other piece with marigold, yellow as expected

 I made two panels.  Here are the "Before & After"

The weekend completed with two pieces of prints that will be made into garment. After it's  done hope to show next.

Mogi, "stay tuned for the next post, a printed garment made."

As said June is the month to celebrate thus freebies to giveaway. Last week I posted in my Facebook whoever wants to know my tricks of strobilantes cusia leaf (traditional for indigo vat making 馬藍葉) purple shades natural printing as images I will send them the pdf file of my secret making. For blog followers I am also happy to share with whoever wishes to get it. Just email me terrieakwong@gmail.com I will send it out. No commitments, no promotions I just want to make sure I personally have the interaction with like-minded people.