Fabric prep for flower pounding

For all the flower pounders out there, this is how you get the fabric ready:
(use cotton muslin, by the way)

wash fabric in hot water using regular laundry detergent and two table spoons of washing soda. rinse 3 to 4 times to be sure the soda is removed
place fabric in a bucket and add two cups of hot water and 1/4 cup of alum for each yard of fabric. If needed, add more hot water, but not more alum. Stir until alum is dissolved and let sit until water is cool.
In a cup , dissolve 1 teaspoon washing soda for each yard of muslin in about 1/2 cup hot water. Add this to the fabric in the bucket - it may fizz.
Soak overnight, rinse well. Wring out and line dry until just damp, iron to remove wrinkles.

And then, tape on your flowers and pound away! Leaves work well, too.

editted for spelling and one teaspoon-tablespoon error! I should have waited until AFTER my nap!

This message was edited Oct 1, 2003 5:34 PM