From Plant to Paper: Making Paper with Milkweed

In this class, students experience the entire process of paper making beginning at the
source: the raw plant material. Focusing on Milkweed, an abundant native plant, we will learn how to responsibly harvest, extract fiber from the plant, and process it into pulp. Once processed, we will then learn how pull sheets using the Western method of sheet formation.

Similar to Kozo and other bast fibers commonly used in eastern papers, Milkweed has long fibers. When beaten by hand, this long fiber creates strong paper with a cloth-like surface.

Students will leave this class with an understanding of how plants are processed into paper, as well as skills pulling, pressing, and drying handmade sheets.

This class will meet for SIX Saturday sessions starting on November 2nd until December 14th, omitting November 30th for Thanksgiving weekend.