How to Print with Plants

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The perfect way to add a nature-inspired twist to upcycling projects, printing with plants is a great way to take inspiration from your garden! Transform an old tablecloth or table linen with leaves and botanicals from outside. You'll be able to create custom patterns that leave your tableware with stunning details.

Project by Becki Clark.

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You will need

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Tulip Green Puffy Fabric Paint 37ml

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Printing Tray 34 x 25cm

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Large Brush Set 3 Pieces

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How to make

You will also need:

Table linen - this could be table cloth, napkins or a runner (a linen or cotton mix will work well)

Plants to print with (these can be a leaf of a house plant, from your garden or perhaps you have some foliage from a bunch of flowers, you only need 2/3 leaves)

Paper/newspaper

Step 1

Prepare your fabric so it is clean and ready to print on. Mine was from my stash of fabric so I gave it an iron to remove creases. Pop a sheet of newspaper underneath if you are worried about the paint seeping through on your table.

Step 2

Squeeze your first colour in the mixing tray and spread across the tray.

Step 3

Place your first plant down in the tray and cover as evenly as you can with paint. Try not to load too much paint on the leaf as you'll want to try and get some detail from the plant.

Step 4

Place your leaf down on your fabric and pop a piece of old paper/new paper on top. Using your roller, roll over the paper to press the plant down.

how_to_print_with_plants_step4a.jpg?sw=680&q=85

Step 5

Take the paper and leaf away and you'll have your first printed motif.

Step 6

Repeat your first motif randomly across the fabric.

Step 7

Now squeeze another colour (I mixed green and white to get a lighter green) and grab another leaf to create a different motif across your fabric. The most important thing to remember is to keep changing your newspaper/paper sheets when rolling over as you don't want any excess paint repeating across your fabric.

Step 8

I then decided to add a bright pink (mixed red and white) to give my tablecloth a summer feel and used another leaf to press and print in the gaps. Also, as long as you haven't used too much paint, you can easily print over current motifs creating a layered patterned look.