Tricks for natural printing / dyeing 巧妙的植物印染

 A wrap of natural prints with Lagerstroemia indica, casaurina and scattered euc

Since my last post   of the ETSY listing of pdf tutorial of natural prints, I got influx of orders. Feedback of the impressive prints and the simple way of making with wonderful shades.   A sign of recognition of my works which is encouraging.   Some curious of my using the paper core for bundling. A big thank you for those who bought my tutorial. I'm quite happy to share with like-minded people some tricks.  I'm going to show how to make the paper "stick".
 

  

 The clockwise images show the making. Dampen a used paper tube with little water.  This one is very thick form the used kitchen paper roll, Just little wet to press it against the table. At this point the tube should be a hard "rod" without room. Then wrap it  tightly around with the micro wave heat resist plastic cling film for three or more layers. The whole piece incl. both ends must be entirely covered with cling film and must be very firm.  To make it longer just connect two pieces with a strong rubber band. Roll up with the fabric and tie the bundle very firmly. As it's a paper "rod" you can bend it,  longer ones can be bended to a snake coil. This way of bending not only to save space in the pot but also make the bundle firmly tied.  The more pressure the  bundle tied, the bolder the contact prints are.  The "sticks" are forever used!

 

 For a large bundle  like the wool wrap shown above I used the paper core to roll up and tied like a snake coil, so the prints are firm and clear.  For the botanical textile prints you can find my ETSY TerLing Creations for the instant download pdf tutorial file.

Enjoy and explore bounty from nature !

Botanical imprints tutorial listed 植物印染教材

 

I've been asking to write tutorial about my botanical imprints. At times I received queries about my print works and interested to learn by any means. I've finally compiled my works with one of my ways of making and now listed on my  ETSY TerLing Creations

 The pdf file can be instantly downloaded. A file of 21 pages with more than 100 images.  I show from basic to delicate layout printings. Tutorial with easy mordants making.  I use only iron and alum which are easy to make shades of prints.  Follow my steps of making, such method can be applied on wool, silk, cotton and linen. 

I've also included the outcome of my interaction and teaching done in N.A. Europe and Asia.  You'll see the various prints on different fabrics in different regions.

I'm delighted that the product just listed this morning, I already got a customer from Russia.

一直有人問我植物印染的製作, 有要求教學或網上教授, 最終我抽閒製作了pdf 教材, 並且在我的網上店  ETSY TerLing Creations 可以即時下載. 一份21頁內含近百圖片簡易而詳盡 的介紹我其中一個製作過程, 按步驟可印出不同效果個人獨特的植物印染作品.

 

Below are some shots of my pdf tutorial. They're already tempting for a trial.

 The pdf file of 21 pages with clear wording instruction

 My detailed method of making

 Samples done in Canada

 Prints done in Israel with the local wild flowers

 My prints in Hong Kong

 Prints done in Italy

 My cat Mogi's involvement and contribution..........

 ........making the fabulous prints tutorial

 The tutorial compiled my works done overseas is also a keepsake for myself -  for the good memories with friends and students.  This printing just done in Taiwan, so fresh and framed.

Love botanical imprinting - the unique and natural artwork !

Days in Taiwan other than teaching 從台中到台北的日子

Other than the formal teaching in Taipei, my main purpose of visiting Taiwan was also catching up with friends. In Taichung I had a great time with Meg and Mary for the indigo dye experiment.

我的台灣行從台中的第一天染缸與新知舊雨開始.........往奧萬大國家公園，參觀朋友獲奬作品，台北校園教學，從藍天白雲的市內到山城九份雨中行，踏著友人風驅小電馬悠遊淡水新舊風情，十天的假期教學今天完美結束。感謝台灣學生及朋友們熱情款待！

Visit to the textile museum was wonderful with inspiration. These sets of nuno felt garment are Meg's awarded exhibits. Proud of my friend Meg.

Meg took me to the high mountain national forest (奧萬大國家公園）for hiking

Brilliant mountain views with a suspend bridge over the river

I am fit for hiking but scare of height!  When I tried to cross over the bridge only a third I returned. What a shame !

Arriving Taichung, checked in the hotel arranged by student.  The rowing clouds over the sky in a beautiful morning. Such inspiration for my work.

A walk with student YL in the beautiful Taiwan National University ........

and treats from lovely student YL in the campus.

The natural prints workshop taking place in the spacious and well equipped university campus.

After formal teaching I went to the old mountain village Jiufen (九份）in a rainy day.

The village with lots remains of mining history from the old days.

The old streets lined with traditional snacks shops and souvenirs.  They're too commercial now.

I rather like seeing some still old things. The tea house and the ceramic exhibits are just pretty.

The vivid fish in the tea house. Sometimes they're still as among the exhibits

I went into a photo gallery in the old mountain stone house.  The photo displayed most are black and white.  Some are the changing views of the mountain village in seasons. Quite a deep expression of life and history of the mountain village. 

A nice chat with the photographer and appreciation of the photo.

Passing by a temple........The cat was scratching in the front of "donation " box of the temple. 

This day I took the metro transport to Tamsui (淡水）to meet my friend.  Arriving Tamshui I explored myself in the harbour.

Peaceful fishing boats by the bank

I went to the arts centre transformed from a godown. A painter was just painting

Then met my friend C.X. She's so warm to show me around her town

She drove me in her scooter to see the interesting spots up and down the slopes and the harbour

The old streets of Tamsui with many wood and brick buildings

As well some historic western building from the ancient European occupancy and religious 

The other side, nearly developed fishmen's pier with bustling business

We've a nice time till sunset.

Thank you YL. Because you invited my teaching in Taiwan I got the chance of travelling your region and met my other friends of the same passion. Taiwan people are so warm and nice.

The cats in a arts gallery are quite sweet

She expects guest.......

I feel the hospitality.  Thank you all my friends I met in Taiwan. I back to Hong Kong after the 10-day fruitful trip.  Another project is in the preparation.....

My Taipei teaching 台北的教學

My tutelage for the student's botanical prints and nuno felt in Taiwan has just finished. My student YL walked away with lots skills after the 2.5 days intensive learning. As she said it's amazing and incredible for the different outcomes all from natural.  We made paper prints, mordants for shades on different fabrics incl. cotton, silk, chiffon, wool flannel, blended silk. I taught also the simple making of the paper core (the stick) to wrap around the bundle also the tricks of paper prints and the use of shoe lace as string. All simple, handy and key to success.

What's more than OOAK is the own printed pattern fabric then turned into unique wearable garment. YL made her own scarf-vest with the final desired tone of prints.

Such "incredible " creations were done in the beautiful environment of the Taiwan National University. 

Venue, material, tools and all materials are well prepared.

The big. "Sandwich " is ready for the pot but not oven........for the boiling.

Prints from marigold, leaves and euc  with shades on cotton

Onion, casuarina and chinaberry on cotton

Sample experiments on silks and cotton 

 

Cotton after soy milk mordant then with iron mordant is quite good with euc silver dollar for red and marigold for yellow

While all the bundles are in the pot, a nuno felt vest is being made with the printed patterned silk. I never care about the fade out on this stretch silk with such prints since I've done test before more than 80 times of machine washing, colours seems almost the same.

A couple of hours YL made the vest. She finds it amazing with such beautiful and easy arm holes felting.  Yes, that's my experience.

A long weekend workshop was brimming with lots creation and skills. We're pleased.

What inspired me above the skies in the Taipei hotel where I'm still staying in is brilliant ! 

During the workshop with YL, I also made a print with my indigo dye with euc.

It's pretty on my hotel bed !

The roses - leftover of the botanical imprints workshop, are nicely on my hotel bedside table. I love plants and each part of them. Thank you for my student inviting me for the teaching in Taiwan. I have the chance to explore the region and meet some other friend. Next post will be a bit more about the scenery.