Leaf Pounding on Textiles

May 31st 2013

Sorry folks! It has been a while since I have been able to update my blog. Recently, I have been exploring stamping on textiles to see what works best. Stamping on fabric is much different than stamping on paper because of how the fabric moves. You want the stamp to both be attractive and be able to move with the fabric and not stretch out.

Sticking with the organic and natural feel of my current endeavors, I decided to attempt to pound various plants onto fabrics to see how this would work out. Pounding is a great way to transfer natural colors onto fabrics. My first pounding attempt was with a pretty blue flower called a spider wart. I used a piece of cotton knit fabric and proceeded to try a couple pounding techniques. As with all my pounding projects, I placed the flower between two pieces of fabric. My first attempt was with a rubber mallet, which did not work for me. The color did not transfer. I then used a small rubber hammer, which transferred small crescent shapes. The larger hedge hammer worked the best for me. I made swift, short taps, and outlined the flower to transfer the color. The color was successfully transferred but the shape is a little distorted.

Spider wart Flower

Spider wart flower pounding

My next attempt at pounding was with a Red Bud leaf. I placed the leaf between two textiles and pounded it with the larger hammer, with small, swift strokes. The color and shape came out very well.

Red wood leaf

Red wood leaf pound

Here is another experiment with some leaves I found outdoors. Hey, if anyone knows what they are, give me a shout out! I'm still trying to figure it out. I pounded them both on a knit piece of fabric and on top of one of my pink onesies that I dyed using... Can you guess? Fern leaves!

Leaf pounding

Fern dyed onsie with leaf pounding

My last pounding attempt was with a miniature lilac stem from a bush. I used the same techniques for the pounding as before and also placed it on a fern dyed onesie.

Lilac pounded design on fern dyed onsie

So, how well do these natural stamps hold up you might ask? Well, I tried washing all of the garments and fabric clips after I finished them and believe it or not, the stamps stuck! This is a fun activity for you and your kids to try. You can make your own, nature inspired, stamped clothes at home. So go outside, pick a leaf or flower that intrigues you, and give it a shot.