Hapa-Zome...

...a couple of weeks ago quite by accident I happened upon on the utterly wonderful Alys Fowler and her Edible Garden.  Since then (thanks to the iPlayer) I have caught up on all the episodes so far, have reserved her book at the library and am eagerly awaiting this week's episode!  

In the episode juicy fruits she demonstrated hapa-zome, which is quite simply putting a leaf/petal in between two pieces of fabric and bashing it with a hammer to get all the dye out and transfer it on to the fabric.  You need to use natural fibres and when you've finished steam iron the fabric to get it to hold the dye.

Ever since I saw that episode I wanted to have a go at this, so whilst we were down at the park yesterday feeding the ducks I picked myself a few flowers and leaves and had a go a soon as we got home!  Single petals and leaves seemed to work better than whole flowers, but I expect it would depend what flowers you were using.

I'm really impressed and I have visions of a beautiful table cloth covered in leaf and petal prints (to go in my imaginary house where we have room for an actual dinner table to put this cloth!).  Also the hammering part was very satisfying!

Comments

[Teresa]

We did that once in VBS - as a nature project - it was a lot of fun and the results (a bandana printed with ferns) was very pretty!

[Vicky@coffeesandmilkies]

I saw that too and wanted to do it.
Seeing how well yours has come out, makes me want to even more.
I had a flick through Alys book today in Smiths, might buy it solely for the recipes at the back.

[Ren]

What a great project- I have been experimenting with natural dye and love doing it with my monkeys- THIS is something they would LOVE.
Even the name, Hapa Zome- how great it that- They will love it-
I stumbled upon your blog awhile ago and now again- I just put you on my blog roll to not miss anymore posts!
Nice to meet you!

[ei! kumpel]

I love her programme and even bought her book, it's quite good. When I saw that episode I made on note on my To-Do Projects, and I still want to try it... good to know it really works!