What is hapa-zome printing?

Natural dyeing is a great way to get creative; and like some other crafts, it can be quite time-consuming; but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After much time and patience the results will speak for themselves. However, if you often find impatience getting the better of you, hapa-zome could be the perfect creative project for you. If you’re ready to get started, jump to the method here.

What is hapa-zome printing?

Quite literally meaning ‘leaf dye’, hapa-zome is the Japanese technique of smashing flowers and leaves into fabric. The plant matter is often arranged into a mandala, but you can create any pattern you like. Be sure to use fresh, juicy plants though; these will leave the best imprint.

Hapa-zome printing is one of the easiest and quickest natural dyeing techniques, and is perfect for an introductory project. Check out the video below, or keep reading for the full tutorial.

 
 

Required supplies

  • 1 piece of fabric (cotton is preferred)

  • Fresh and juicy flowers/leaves

  • Rubber mallet or hammer

  • Wooden backing board

  • Old towel or thick cloth (optional)

Method

  1. Collect some flowers and leaves

  2. Place the material onto a wooden backing board or a solid, smooth surface

  3. On half of the fabric, create a pattern with the plant matter

  4. Fold the uncovered half onto the side with your plant pattern

  5. Place an old towel or thick cloth over the folded fabric to reduce noise (optional)

  6. Carefully smash the plants into the fabric with the mallet

  7. Remove the towel and gently open the fabric

  8. Hang the fabric and once dry, brush off excess plant material

Bowl of flowers and hammer in background

Tips for best results

  • Choose a white or lightly coloured fabric as these will imprint more vibrant colours

  • Consider the colour, shape and freshness of the plants. Those that are fresher and juicier will extract more dye and produce better results, however;

  • Be mindful of poisonous or allergenic plants. If a plant is unfamiliar to you, it might be a good idea to research it online to ensure it’s safe to use.

  • Scour the fabric and apply a mordant before starting. This will help the dyes adhere to the fabric, and may also improve vibrancy and colour-fastness.

Hapa zome print with plant matter still attached

Hapa zome print with plant matter still attached

Summary

8-steps is all it takes to create a basic hapa-zome print. It’s simple, fun and even therapeutic project.

It’s also an awesome introduction to natural dyeing, and is a great holiday activity for the kids; bonus!

Will you stick to the popular mandala-style pattern, or will you create your own design? Share your designs with me on Instagram or Facebook, I’d love to see them!

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