Having started down the route of learning to make paper from plant material (see previous posts re Monstera Deliciosa trials) I spent a day with my friends at Primrose Paper Arts learning the basics.  As I have a huge Strelitzia plant which needed a trim it seemed like a good place to start.

Stems were cut down, leaves removed (as they cook at a different rate to the stalks), stalks were split and chopped into 5-6cm pieces and soaked for a couple of days.

At Primrose Park several of us wanted to cook our fibres but most had different plants.  To keep these separate we bagged each type and added them to the boiling copper (water + caustic soda solution).  Above you can see how much colour comes out and how we used the paddle to press the bags testing for the softness of the stems as they break down.

Once cooked, the bags were removed and the contents thoroughly rinsed.

Here you can see my now mushy plant material and the close-up shows how much it has softened and disintegrated.

Back at home I liquidised the fibres into pulp ready to make paper.

Then started forming the sheets.

I didn’t have a huge amount of fibre but was able to make 11 A4 sheets, which I felt was a good number for a practice run.  They are quite fine, probably around 40gsm.

A new tip I picked up from my husband is a good way to ensure the fibres stay well mixed and suspended in the water instead of clumping.

He suggested running the deckle/mold frame through the water several times instead of mixing by hand.  This made a big difference, I’m not sure why but he did try to explain some scientific reason why an item this shape is such a good mixer.

I borrowed a portable press from the group.

It’s a great piece of equipment and is easily carried where needed.  Being so organised they also have all the compressed rubber mats and felt pre-cut to size ready for workshops.  Luckily I got to borrow a complete set over the Christmas period.

Once my paper was pressed it was ready for drying, and this is where my latest tips from Jill Elias came in handy.  Each time I’ve made paper, dried it and pressed it flat in my Albion press it has come out with crinkled edges.  Jill suggested I roll my damp sheets on to the window and leave them to dry there.  OK, I’m happy to try anything.

So I rolled the paper and couching cloths on to the window, carefully peeled away the cloth and left them to dry.  The results couldn’t be better, and not a crinkled edge in sight.

Now I just need to clean the remaining fibres off the window ……….