How to Make Pressed Flowers and a Flower Press
3 Methods That Produce Perfect Pressed Annual and Perennial Flowers
Any flower, herb, or leaf may be pressed to preserve the beauty of the plant by dehydrating and flattening it before its foliage and color suffers. There are several methods one may employ to successfully press a flower; three of which will be described within this article.
Prepare Flowers Before Pressing:
It is best to press flowers immediately after they are picked from the mother plant. On a flat surface, plan out how the flower will be placed into the pressing device. Make sure that there are no overlapping petals or leaves within the flower; if there is an obstructive stem or leaf remove it from the plant.
How to Press Flowers by Using Books:
This is a common and traditional method used by inexperienced flower pressers due to the fact that it is the easiest method to execute. For this method, one requires: three heavy books, two sheets of white paper and your choice of flowers.
Position and then insert the flowers in between the two sheets of white paper. Next, sandwich these two pieces of paper in the center of the largest and heaviest book; be careful how the flower is positioned while closing the book because it may move the petals.
Now, stack all three books on top of the book which contains the flowers before resting the stack in a safe area. Allow the flowers to press two weeks before checking to make sure they’re completely dry.
How to Press Flowers With a Flower Press and How to Make a Flower Press:
Flower presses are widely available for sale online and in stores; they are the perfect tool for amateurs because they are easy to use and designed to ensure success. Flower pressers are fairly easy to construct if one wishes to make his or her own device; adding a personal touch to the process.
For this method one will need: One drill, two pieces of wood at least ½ inch thick and 6 inches long/wide, four bolts 3 inches long, four butterfly nuts (wing nuts) that fir the bolts, two sheets of cardboard with length and width dimensions identical to the boards, two sheets of plain paper the same size as the cardboard.
Drill a hole in each corner of the two boards; make sure the hole is large enough for the bolts to fit through and at least ¾ an inch away from the edge. Drilling the wood, cardboard and paper at the same time keeps the holes of the press lined up.
Now, to press a flower layer in this order: bottom of press, cardboard, paper, flower, paper, cardboard, top of press. Next, thread the bolts through the bottom of the press and screw the wing nuts tight onto the bolt. The wing nuts should lie firmly on top of the top layer of the press to ensure that it is tight enough to properly press the flowers.
Put the press away for two weeks before unscrewing the butterfly screws and checking on the dehydrated flowers.
Press Flowers by Using a Microwave:
Flowers may be pressed in one’s microwave as a quick fix alternative to traditional pressing. For this method one will need a microwave, a heavy book that fits into the microwave, two sheets of plain paper and flowers.
For this method, set up the flower press in the same manner as if you were preparing a book press; instead of sandwiching the flowers in the center of the book, position them directly under the book cover. Place the book into the microwave so that the weight of the book sits on top of the fresh flowers; therefore pressing them down.
Using the microwave’s lowest setting, heat the book in thirty-second intervals; checking the flowers after the first minute and then every thirty until the flowers are completely dehydrated. The average amount of time the book needs to be microwave is three minutes.
For another awesome craft idea, read the beginners guide to creating a mosaic.
Fresh Flowers for the Flower Press
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