Flower pounding, or Tatakizome, is an ancient Japanese technique of hammering plants to create patterns on fabric. It is a very simple technique that renders gorgeous results. All you need is fresh flowers, a hammer and either paper, canvas or fabric to transfer the flower “dye”. We cover different techniques and the unique applications of flower pounding, such as embroidery and illustration in this What’s New in Craft.
Flower Pounding with Embroidery
Serial Stitcher
Flower Pounding with Embroidery
Sparkles n’ Sawdust Studio
Flower Pounding: Quilt Projects for All Ages
Ann Frischkorn and Amy Sandrin
Marigold Flower Pounding
DrawdreamByKsna
Ukrainian artist Ksаna uses pigments from flower pounding combined with watercolor to create gorgeous, modern nature artwork. Her Etsy shop focuses on nature themed watercolor, oil and prints.
Silk Chiffon Scarf, Hand Printed with foraged Morning Glories
HedgerowStitches
Artist Sue forages for morning glories to use the pigment for this hand dyed silk chiffon scarf. Though the fabric has been treated to reduce fading, it is expected to do so over time.
Flower Pounding (Textiles Handbooks)
Linda Rudkin
Linda explains basic methods and techniques from plant samples to fabric to how to secure the materials and how to apply enough force with a household hammer to give depth and dimension to your work. The book also explains extension exercises in leaf printing, appliqué and flower trapping and how to add further detail using embroidery or quilting to create spectacular one-of-a-kind original work.
DIY Flower Pounding: Bring Nature to Paper – How to Craft Colorful Fine Art with Floral Dye
The Pigeon Letters
This class from The Pigeon Letters walks you through how to create vibrant fine art pieces from the natural pigments of flowers. You’ll learn how to source flowers and greenery, then test them for pigment. Then you’ll create a composition with flower pounding. Finally, you’ll add minimal finishing touches to your pieces with mark making techniques.
The Art and Craft of Pounding Flowers
Laura C. Martin
Learn how to transfer pigment directly from a flower or leaf onto fabric or paper for an exquisite imprint with just a hammer. Then create a project following the instructions. Includes instructions on choosing the best plants, selecting fabrics and paper, hammering flowers, and preserving your botanical impressions. Includes directions for more than 50 projects, including greeting cards, wrapping paper and ribbon, journals, place mats, napkins, throw pillows, wall hangings, curtains and scarves.
Pansy Notebook
TamaraShortDesigns
The cover art on this notebook features a design made from pounded blue Pansies on cornflower paper. The pigment of the Pansies turns out vibrant, giving the notebook an appearance of having actual flowers on it.
Do you have any resources for flower pounding? Add them in the comments so we can check them out!
How do you set the color?
I love this idea and especially doing this on fabric. I am so glad I stumbled upon this new craft! Just what I needed. I like the idea of adding embroidery to it!
Have tried this but how do you keep the colored flower impression from washing away/fading?
Pre-treating the fabric with soda ash is one way to help color last longer, but I’m sure some of the flower pounders have more specific instructions you could follow.