From Fruit Bowl to Fabric

Forget fancy stamps, your fruit bowl is full of them. Lemons, limes, even the odd grapefruit can double as art tools, turning tired fabric into something you’ll actually want to show off. The best part is that the juice is still yours for baking, cooking, or a fruity drink while you create.

It’s the sort of project that works a treat whether you’re flying solo, entertaining the little ones, or just looking for a new way to rescue that old tea towel from the rag pile. Tote bags, T-shirts, napkins, aprons… if it’s fabric, it’s fair game.

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_{YOU'LL NEED}

• A fabric item of your choice (new or upcycled)
• Citrus fruit - lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruit all work a treat
• Paintbrush
• Old plate or paint palette
• Acrylic paint + fabric medium (or just fabric paint)

_METHOD

1. Mix it up - If you’re using acrylic paint, mix one part paint with one part fabric medium. Already have fabric paint? Skip ahead to the fun bit.‍
2. Prep your patch - Cover your table with old newspaper or, in true Wonky style, flatten out your latest box. Aprons are wise - especially if little helpers are on the scene.‍
3. Make your stamp - Halve your citrus. Use a small knife to scoop out the pulp, keeping those neat little segment membranes intact. Give it a gentle squeeze to release extra juice (save it for pancakes or dressings). Top tip: For crisp, clean prints, let your fruit halves dry somewhere warm (the hot water cupboard or window ledge works nicely) for a day before you start.‍
4. Get painting - Spread paint onto your plate. Dip the citrus, then brush it over so every wedge is coated. Test your stamp on scrap paper first, call it a warm-up lap.‍
5. Stamp away - Press your citrus onto the fabric, lift, and admire. Go for scattered prints, neat rows, or overlapping colours for a layered look.

6. Let it set - Follow your paint instructions - most need six hours or more to dry, and some will need heat-setting before their first wash.

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Got a tote bag covered in lime stamps? A tea towel rocking some zesty grapefruit art? Do send us a picture of anything you create - we'd love to see!