Although protein fibers like silk or wool take color better, I used these cotton bandanas that come by the dozen, are pre-hemmed and aren't too expensive.
The mordant stage is key to getting good prints. I accidentally gave 10 kids unmordanted bandanas, and although we did get some color none of those kids had a single leaf print, so I subsequently mordanted theirs and gave them a second chance. The results were night and day! Before they came to class I wrote each child's name on a bandana and soaked them in a little water.
We started by talking a little about what they remembered about the plants on our campus, and I announced that we were going to do an experiment to see if we could get leaves or flowers to leave a print on fabric. We went and gathered some leaves, and I supplemented with some fresh and dried flowers.
The students started by arranging their plant materials on half of their wrung out bandana. They then folded the extra material over and rolled it onto something round, like an old rolling pin or a piece of pvc pipe. Rubber bands or tight string binds the material- make sure the name tags are exposed for later identification! I had the kids put them on a tray so I could check and make sure they were well attached before putting them in a pot of hot water.
I boiled and then simmered these bundles for at least a couple of hours- more time yields better prints- and then let them cool overnight. You could unwrap them immediately, as long as they are cool enough, but the heat really sinks in. After draining off the extra water I placed these on wire shelves separated a little to discourage mold.
Unwrap and enjoy! We would like to add some sewn embellishments with dyed yarn or string if we can find the time.
The mordant stage is key to getting good prints. I accidentally gave 10 kids unmordanted bandanas, and although we did get some color none of those kids had a single leaf print, so I subsequently mordanted theirs and gave them a second chance. The results were night and day! Before they came to class I wrote each child's name on a bandana and soaked them in a little water.
We started by talking a little about what they remembered about the plants on our campus, and I announced that we were going to do an experiment to see if we could get leaves or flowers to leave a print on fabric. We went and gathered some leaves, and I supplemented with some fresh and dried flowers.The students started by arranging their plant materials on half of their wrung out bandana. They then folded the extra material over and rolled it onto something round, like an old rolling pin or a piece of pvc pipe. Rubber bands or tight string binds the material- make sure the name tags are exposed for later identification! I had the kids put them on a tray so I could check and make sure they were well attached before putting them in a pot of hot water.
I boiled and then simmered these bundles for at least a couple of hours- more time yields better prints- and then let them cool overnight. You could unwrap them immediately, as long as they are cool enough, but the heat really sinks in. After draining off the extra water I placed these on wire shelves separated a little to discourage mold.
Unwrap and enjoy! We would like to add some sewn embellishments with dyed yarn or string if we can find the time.
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