Hapa Zome flowers

Add more colour to your hapa zome activities by using flowers.

Introduction

An activity that can be done at any time of year.

It's interesting to observe how the colours change as the pigment transfers - some colours come through very bold and others, like the yellow in primrose, are more delicate.

What you'll need

collection of flowers
calico/cotton
masking tape
hammer
log round or similar hard surface

This activity has been provided by

Useful items from our shop

Item available from our shop

Environmental Considerations

Consider the environmental impact of preparing, carrying out & completing this activity. Could this impact be reduced? Specific considerations for this activity could include:

source of natural materials

Health & Safety Considerations

Follow your usual operating procedures and carry out appropriate risk benefit assessments.
Some considerations particular to this activity include:

collecting natural materials
tool use

Step #1

Collect some flowers from your garden/outdoor space.

Step #2 arranging

Arrange your flowers on the cotton/calico as you would like to see them.

Place the flowers face down carefully (you may have to move the petals around).

Use a small piece of tape to keep each flower in place.

Step #3 taping

Cover the whole flower with masking tape.

This keeps the flower in place and also helps retains the structure of the flower whilst bashing. It also prevents the pigment coming off on the hammer.

Step #4 hammering

Place the calico, tape side up, and use the hammer to tap away (not too hard)!

Make sure that you tap around the whole of the flower. You can check the fabric on the underside to see where the pigment has come through and spot the places that you have missed.

Step #5

When you have finished tapping and are happy that you have bashed the whole of the flower, carefully remove the masking tape.

The remains of the flower will be stuck to the tape. It is interesting to observe the flower now that the pigment has been removed.

Take it further:

make some greeting cards
add some detail to an old t-shirt or pillowcase
make flower bunting by pegging your flower prints to a washing line or rope.

Disclaimer: Muddy Faces cannot take any responsibility for accidents or damage that occurs as a result of following this activity.You are responsible for making sure the activity is conducted safely.