Thanks to three Kendal-based businesses working together, brides have a new way to preserve their wedding bouquets.
The women behind Petal * Wool * Print, believe their product is an industry first.
A selection of foliage and flowers are steamed onto Herdwick cloth leaving a dye that makes a unique botanical print. The fabric can be used a wall-hanging, or a cover for a cushion, lampshade or footstool.
It’s taken eco printer and artist Deborah Dawn a year to research and refine because of the complex nature of working with Herdwick wool and natural dyes.
Deborah has had to experiment with how seasons, leaf type and the PH of the water impact on plants and how they react with the wool.
Deborah has been working with The Floralistas and fabric and upholsters Cable & Blake.
Ashley Holden, of the Floralists, said: “The idea to create a bouquet that could be preserved in some form was something I’d thought about for some time.
“Partly because it seems such a shame to see precious blooms so lovingly tended and grown, through the seasons, enjoyed for just one day. Also, brides often ask for ways to preserve their bouquets.
“Roll on one year and an off the cuff comment to Rachel of Cable and Blake, while delivering her fortnightly shop flowers, sparked the idea.
“We were hosting a workshop at our studio with Deb and that’s how we came together to work on this.
“So here we are, three female-founded Cumbrian businesses creating something unique for newlyweds. It’s sustainable, champions rites of passage for families and tells a story through an artisan hand-crafted product that can be passed on for generations to come.”
Both the product, and the technique used to transfer real plant colours and shapes onto the wool, is very different to standard options for preserving bridal bouquets. They include drying, by pressing, air or freeze-drying, as well as setting blooms in resin and silicone gel.
