How to press flowers

Learning how to press flowers is easy. Pressed flowers and dried flowers are trending right now and you can do both at home with minimal supplies. When you know how to press flowers, you will be able to use your creativity to create beautiful things that will last you several years. My eye is always drawn to pressed botanicals in frames.

How to press flowers

I am going to share two ways to press flowers. These are the methods that I use. I do not like to use an iron or the microwave because I feel like the heat makes the flowers more brittle. Pressed flowers are delicate as it is, so handle with care. Keep pressed flowers and dry flowers out of direct sunlight. The sun will fade the blooms.

Flowers varieties

There are several flowers that work well for pressing. The ideal flower has a single layer of petals. However, you can experiment with any flower of your choice. If the flower has lots of layers of petals. You will have to cut it in half or remove some of the petals. The following is a list of flowers that work well for pressing.

1. cosmos
2. delphinium
3. daisy
4. sweet pea
5. forget me not
6. lavender
7. violets
8. single petal roses
9. pansies
10. queen Anne’s lace
11. ferns
12. herbs

Supplies for pressing flowers

Here is a basic list of supplies that you will need for pressing flowers.

1. Heavy books / flower press
2. parchment paper cut to size of book or flower press
3. Cardboard ( cut to size of flower press)
4. Fresh flowers. ( Picked at peak, older faded flowers do not press as well) herbs or leaves.

That is it my friends!! With just a few supplies you can press flowers like a pro.

How to press flowers with books.

1. Gather the flowers that you are going to press. If you are picking them right from your garden, cut the flowers and let them air dry for at least 1 hour. You do not want to press damp or wet flowers. The color will run and they could mold.
2. cut your parchment paper to the size of your book. You will need 2 pieces of parchment paper for every layer of flowers you press. I would suggest not having more than 3-4 layers of flowers pressing at a time in a book.
3. Open up the book about a third of the way in and lay down 1 piece of the parchment paper
4. Carefully lay your flower / flowers on the paper. Do not let flowers overlap, they will stick together when pressed. Arrange the flowers how you want them to look when pressed. Lay the second piece of paper on top of the flowers. If you have more flowers to press, open the book 2/3rds of the way and repeat the process.
5. Close the book.
6. Set aside. Take a peek in 2 weeks….
7. ta da beautifully pressed flowers

How to press flowers with a flower press

1. Gather the flowers you are going to use. If you are using flowers that are freshly picked. Let the flowers dry for about an hour. You want to press flowers that are not damp or wet. Pressing damp or wet flowers can cause molding and color bleeding.
2. Cut your parchment paper to the size of your press
3. Unscrew the wing nuts on all corners. Set aside
4. Lift off the top of the press
5. Cut cardboard to the size of the press.
6. Lay down 1 piece of cardboard and 1 piece of parchment paper
7. Lay out your flowers. Do not let them touch.
8. Lay down another piece of parchment paper on top of the flowers.
9. Top with a piece of card board.
10. Replace the top of the flower press and screw the wing nuts back on. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN the wing nuts. Just twist so that there is slight pressure on the cardboard.
11. Check the flowers in 2 weeks.
12. Ta Da!!

What do you used pressed flowers for?

Pressed flowers can be used for a variety of projects. You can arrange them in a traditional picture frame or use a pressed flower frame. Pressed flowers make beautiful cards. Your imagination is limitless.

A few of my favorite things.

Here are a few of my favorite pressed flower projects.

Sofia Clara, I love love her website. She has such a fabulous style. So inspiring.

Gandenista is another favorite site of mine.

The beading gem has a great tutorial on how to make resin jewelry with pressed flowers. Go check it out.

I am so excited for you to try pressing flowers. Make sure you leave a comment and let me know what you are going to make!!

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