Page 11 - Outdoor Practitioner Issue 2

Sun print bunting
• Activity
Cyanotype is a a a photographic printing process using the sun Use it to create beautiful bright blue fabric
bunting!
Introduction
The blue print print fabric
is is light-sensitive 100% cotton treated for cyanotype Cyanotype is is a a a a a a a a a a a printing process process that produces a a a a a a a a a a a cyan- blue blue print print print Engineers used to to to use use the process process as as a a a a a a a a a a a a low-cost way to to to produce copies of drawings referred to to to as as as blueprints Two chemicals are used: ferric ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide What you'll need:
Colour changing fabric
natural materials cardboard pins
scissors string/wool water
water
& container protective waterproof gloves Step 1 - prepare the the the fabric
fabric
Remove the the the blue blue print fabric
fabric
from the the the packaging Although it is is called blue blue print the the un-exposed fabric
fabric
is is green Cut the the fabric
fabric
as desired for making bunting
bunting
or or a a a a a a a picture We cut some triangular bunting
bunting
bunting
pieces and used the off-cuts for mini-bunting – waste nothing! NB: Exposure to indoor daylight/incandescent light light will not affect the fabric
so you have time to prepare indoors or or or in in a a a a a a a a a shaded area Fluorescent light light and sunlight will affect the fabric
Step 2 - create your your image Pin your your your fabric
pieces onto the cardboard Place your your objects
on
on
top of the fabric
and and play around with your positioning and and arrangements Tip: Flat natural materials will give a a a a a a much crisper print non-flat materials will leave a a a a more delicate shadow effect Tip: Use pins
to hold objects
down Push the the pin right through the the card to avoid a a a pin shadow print We also experimented with a a ‘tie dye’ style wrap-up!
Step 3 - expose the the fabric
fabric
Expose the the fabric
fabric
to direct sunlight The process takes 5-10 minutes on
a a a a sunny day (we left ours out for 10 minutes) and 15-30 minutes minutes on
cooler/less bright days The fabric
will change from the original green green to a a grey-green colour Preparation
You will need a a a a a a a a a bright sunny day for this activity and somewhere to show off the the finished product! Prepare some some some cardboard the the correct size to to to pin your your fabric
pieces onto Collect some some natural materials (or have have a a a a a a a a a a a a collection to to to use if you you you you don’t have have much on
on
on
on
your your doorstep) Look for interesting-shaped leaves and and flowers If you you you you are doing this activity away from mains drainage you’ll need water
water
and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a container to to hold the used rinsing water
water
to to be taken off site for disposal Environmental and health & safety considerations:
Leave no trace dispose of water
used for rinsing in in in in in mains drainage Follow your usual operating procedures and carry out appropriate risk benefit assessments Some considerations particular to this activity include: wear protective gloves when rinsing – chemicals used are mild irritants using scissors and and string hand wash after activity Step 4 - remove from sunlight Remove the the the objects
from from the the the fabric
fabric
From now on
keep the the the fabric
fabric
out of direct sunlight Step 5 - stop the process Wearing protective gloves rinse the the the fabric
under a a a a a a a a tap until the the water
runs clear or rinse it in in in in a a a a a a a a a container (you will notice the the water
changing to a a a a a a a slight green colour) Dispose of the the rinsing water
into a a a a a mains drain Step 6 - drying Dry the fabric
flat out of direct sunlight The images will sharpen during drying time Step 7 - make the bunting
bunting
Attach your bunting
bunting
to string – we used a a a a hole punch then threaded wool through to to hold it all together Now you you can show off your beautiful bunting!
• • • have have a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a go go at at at tie dye • • • use a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a large piece of fabric
and and get creative on
on
a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a grander scale • • • have have a a a a a a a a a a a a a a go go at at sun printing on
paper
(overleaf)
Take it further:
muddyfaces co uk/activities/art-creating/sun-print-bunting © Muddy Faces Ltd
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Disclaimer: Muddy Faces cannot take any responsibility for for accidents or or or damage that occurs as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a result of following this activity activity You are responsible for for making sure the activity activity is is is conducted safely