Milkweed (following Aimee Lee's book "Making Milkweed Paper")

I collected both stalks and pods in mid October.

Stalks:

The fiber peeled easily from the core without steaming. I cooked the fiber in water with soda ash. Beat by hand.

Pulled easter style. Formation aid and hanji mold.

Pods:

I opened the pods and pull off the seeds. This was the most fun part!

Cooked the fiber with a little bit of soda ash.

Beat the fiber in a blender (not easy!). Formed western style but with formation aid.