How to Hammer Flowers on Fabric (Hapa-Zome Guide)

How to Hammer Flowers on Fabric (Hapa-Zome Guide)
Flower-printing magic from the garden to your faBRIC

There’s something wildly satisfying about smashing flowers into cloth and revealing their hidden color—an art-meets-garden ritual called hapa-zome (a Japanese term that translates to “leaf dye”). It’s simple, joyful, and full of surprises—perfect for a quiet moment of creativity or a fun group activity.

This is the very technique I do in my natural dyeing workshops and for he first time at Folk Fest, where I offer pre-mordanted shirts so you can print your own summer memories on fabric.

Here’s how to try it at home:

What You’ll Need:

  • Pre-mordanted natural fiber fabric (cotton or linen works best)

  • Fresh flowers or leaves (look for ones rich in color—coreopsis, pansies, cosmos, tomato leaves even)

  • A hammer or mallet

  • A hard surface (like a wooden board or slab of concrete)

  • Parchment paper or scrap fabric

  • Masking tape (optional)

  • An iron

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep your workspace.
Lay your fabric on a hard, flat surface. Slip a board underneath for a smoother transfer.

2. Design with petals.
Arrange flowers or leaves face-down on your fabric.

3. Start pounding.
Cover the fabric with parchment paper or scrap cloth to protect your hammer. Gently (or not-so-gently!) pound with your hammer, pressing the pigment into the fabric.

4. Reveal the surprise.
Lift the cover and remove the flattened flowers. Their colors and shapes will have transferred onto your cloth—nature’s art print!

5. Set the color.
Let the fabric dry fully, then iron it on medium-high (no steam) for a few minutes to help lock in the pigment.

Caring for Your Floral Print:

Your shirt or cloth was pre-mordanted, meaning it’s been treated to better absorb and hold natural color. That said, some fading may still happen with time—think of it like a memory softening with age.

  • Wash in cold water

  • Use mild, pH-neutral detergent

  • Hand wash

  • Air dry away from direct sunlight

Whether you’re pressing petals at home or joining me at a festival, I hope this technique helps you slow down, connect with nature, and find beauty in the bloom.

🌿 Stay rooted in creativity and community.
With joy,
Lourdes
Masagana Flower Farm & Studio

#ExperienceTinta #MasaganaFlowerFarm #NaturalDyerWorkshop #StudioInTheWoods #MBFlowerFarm

Lourdes Still