Wearing gloves, remove leaves from the modifier bath and blot off excess liquid. Arrange the botanicals in any design you wish, then fold the t-shirt in half before folding the sleeves over. Many leaves will print on both sides, and this will create a beautiful mirrored print. Alternatively, you can cover the entire t-shirt with botanicals and skip the folding step. Carefully layer on the cut plastic and place the dowel at the t-shirt hem. Roll the t-shirt tightly around the dowel, bundle, and wrap tightly with cotton twine.
Step 4: Steam bath
Adding about 1 inch of water to the bottom of your stock pot, place in your steamer basket and t-shirt bundle. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Steam for 1.5 hours for silk and 2 hours for wool or cotton. Wearing oven mitts, remove the pot from its heat source, carefully crack the lid so steam can escape, and allow your bundles to cool before removing.
Step 5: A generous reveal!
Untie the bundle and carefully unroll the fabric to reveal your eco-printed t-shirt! Compost the leaves, rinse and reuse the plastic sheeting, and hang dry your t-shirt. I’ve stitched mine into a wrap. Enjoy!
