Inspired Textiles

Whilst in Australia on our month’s trip, David sketched (@davidsteedenart on Instagram if you are interested) and I did some botanical printing with the local leaves. The image below gives an indication of 4 of the results I achieved. I brought along with me some green tea teabags and ferrous sulphate powder. This allowed me to play around with strengths and combinations. Top left is a white linen, no alum or AA mordant dipped in iron with a green tea kitchen towel blanket. Top right is vintage Lancashire cotton, no alum or AA mordant dipped in iron with an kitchen towel green tea blanket. The leaves were soaked in vinegar. Bottom left is silk noil no alum or AA mordant dipped in iron with a green tea kitchen towel blanket.  Bottom right is vintage linen no alum or AA mordant dipped in iron with a strong green tea kitchen towel blanket. Note how the results all vary. Due to varying fabrics, leaves used, length of time dipped, strength of dips.   ...

Using paper in my botanical printing as a resist results in wonderful pieces of printed paper as a byproduct. In particular when printing flowers. Purple flowers, these were osteospermum, change to a pleasing blue. The watercolour effect is so serendipitous and makes brilliant wrapping paper and cards. See more of my botanical prints on my Facebook and Instagram pages as Inspired Textiles.