Learn flower pounding at Master Gardener workshop

MADISON – With the arrival of spring, it’s time ‘to get your hands’ dirty at an upcoming workshop about leaf pounding.

Presented by Master Gardeners of North Alabama, the Leaf and Flower Pounding Workshop will be an interactive class with a demonstration and hands-on-project on May 2 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The event will be held in the Pavilion at Huntsville Botanical Garden. The fee for this session is $5.

“Make a one-of-a-kind gift just in time for Mother’s Day. Give her flowers that will last a lifetime,” gardener spokesperson Nareatha Studdard said.

Studdard described flower pounding as a fun and easy way to create botanical prints on fabric or paper. Pounded plants release natural dyes onto cloth or paper. 

“You can decorate napkins, stationery or any piece of fabric using leaf and flower pounding. Use your new art in sewing projects, quilting and embroidery. You can frame as a wall hanging,” Studdard said.

“Learn this creative method and share with others,” she said. “It’s easy enough to learn and teach to children. Pound your frustrations away and give mom a gift she is sure to treasure.”

During the workshop, participants will discover the best leaves and flowers to use in pounding. Presenters will recommend the best fabrics to select, preparation steps and the best methods for preservation. “You will learn how plants change colors once pounded,” Studdard said.

Guest speakers will be Crystal Kitchen and Ann Tippie.

Kitchens wants to help keep handcrafts from earlier centuries alive in the 21st century. “I’ve had the pleasure of learning some of these handcrafts from generous teachers. Now, I want to share the pleasure and satisfaction that I’ve found in making something with my hands,” Kitchens said.

Kitchens has taught workshops in varying settings, including living history museums, fiber guilds, Master Gardeners, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Learning Quest at Huntsville-Madison County Public Library and the Huntsville Senior Center. She earned Master Gardener status in 2004.

Tippie and her husband moved to Huntsville from California in 1999. She worked in accounting for many years. Since retirement, she has pursued painting and sewing as hobbies.

Tippie is a longtime volunteer at Huntsville Botanical Garden and a Garden Guild member. A Master Gardener since 2012, she has served as Fundraising Chair, Director and President of Master Gardeners of North Alabama. She enjoys volunteering in various master gardener projects, researching and practicing the art of flower pounding.

Seating is limited. Register now at mginfo.org/workshops.