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Immerse Yourself in Nature with Slow Fashion

Three days Eco-printing (or Botanical printing as it is also known) workshop was taken place in May, 2024. It was arranged by our Parish priest Fr. Robert and Sr. Lucia Yamin (RNDM) for St. Paul’s Youth. There were 9 participants including Sr. Martha Aye Tin (RNDM). Eco printing is kind of a natural dyeing technique that uses leaves, flowers, barks and other plant materials to create patterns and colors on fabric.

Young woman laying out plant materials

The process involves bundling plant materials and fabric together, then steaming or boiling the bundle to transfer the color and patterns from the plants to the fabric. The exact method and materials used can vary depending on the artist, but the result is a unique, one-of-a-kind print that captures the beauty of nature.   Eco-printing not only links contemporary fiber art to respect for natural environments but also to the recovery of lost dye- and plant-knowledge, and an appreciation for the creative process carried out from the heart. It is a rewarding creative process that allows you to connect with your natural environment and learn more about the local flora. The process of collecting leaves, flowers and other materials, preparing them, and then printing them on fabric is a slow and mindful process that was very relaxing and we enjoyed a lot.

Sr. Martha Aye RNDM boiling a bundle

It was really amazing and I can’t stop praising God for His goodness and love for he created every single leaf with different patterns, different shapes and various colors. It took time to get a complete handmade dress and printed cloths. That’s why it is called “slow fashion”. We also realized that nature gives us everything for free and now it is our time to protect it in turn.

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1 month ago

I very much appreciated your account of putting plants and fabric together – transferring the color and patterns from the plants to the fabric – to create new, diverse, and unique patterns. Wonderful!!

Wendy MacLean
24 days ago

Thank you for describing this process of Eco-printing or Botanical printing! I relate to your appreciation of “every single leaf with different patterns, different shapes and various colors” as I also am often in awe at the great and beautiful diversity in our natural world.