Create Pretty Pressed Flowers
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If you have a sentimental bouquet or a special flower from your garden you’d like to preserve, pressing flowers is an easy way to make blooms last for years. There are specialty flower pressing kits you can buy to tackle this craft, but all you really need are everyday items that you likely already have around the house. Follow our step-by-step instructions for four different ways to press flowers, plus a few helpful tips on how to display the finished work.
How to Press Flowers in a Book
This method takes the longest, between 2 to 4 weeks, but it’s the most hands-off method. Get started by gathering your materials, many of which you will have on hand.
Supplies for pressing flowers in a book:
Flowers
Absorbent paper, like office paper, parchment paper, or coffee filters
A book large enough to hold your flowers
A heavy weight, like food cans, a brick, or more books
Follow these steps:
Start by opening the book and placing the absorbent paper, like office or parchment paper, on the bottom page. Next, arrange the flowers on the paper.
Becky Stayner Top with another piece of absorbent paper.
Becky Stayner Close the book and place a weight on top. It’s important that all the flowers are weighted and pressed evenly. After 2 weeks, check the flowers. If they aren’t dry, replace the absorbent paper, and let sit for another week or two.
How to Press Flowers with an Iron
While you’ll be working the whole time with this method, if you want to press flowers quickly, using an iron set on low heat will get the job done in a matter of minutes.
Supplies for pressing flowers with an iron:
Flowers
Parchment paper
Iron
Ironing board
Follow these steps:
Start by creasing a piece of parchment paper in in the middle and placing it on an ironing board. Place flowers on one side of the paper then fold the other half of the paper over the flowers.
Becky Stayner Make sure your iron has no water in the reservoir and that the steam function is turned off. Heat the iron to low. Once the iron is hot, press it on a section of flowers holding it in one spot for about 10 to 15 seconds. Don’t move the iron around because this can cause the flowers to wrinkle. Move to another section and repeat the process. Let the flowers sit on the paper until cool enough to handle then carefully remove from the paper.
How to Press Flowers in the Microwave
This method is the fastest but takes constant monitoring to make sure your flowers don’t become brittle and lose their color.
Supplies for pressing flowers in the microwave:
Flowers
Parchment paper
Flat-bottomed microwave-safe dish, like a glass food storage container or a flat-bottomed plate
Follow these steps:
Start by creasing a piece of parchment paper in in the middle and placing it in the microwave. Next, place the flowers on one side of the parchment, then fold the other side over the flowers.
Becky Stayner Place a flat-bottomed microwave safe dish or plate on top of the parchment, making sure all the flowers are under the vessel.
Becky Stayner Microwave on low power in 30 second increments, checking dryness level and allowing the flowers to cool, between increments. Let the flowers sit on the paper until cool enough to handle then carefully remove from the paper.
FAQ
What Flowers Work Best for Pressing?
While you can technically press any flower, flat-faced flowers (like daisies or clematis) and those that have a single layer of petals (like Johnny jump ups or impatiens) are easiest to press. For multi-leaf flowers, like roses, you can either press the individual petals or halve the flower and press the two halves.
If you are using flowers from your garden, pick them in the morning so that they are not wilted from the sun. Look for ones that are in peak bloom and free of any dark spots or blemishes. Lastly, make sure your flowers are completely dry before pressing.
How Long do Pressed Flowers Last?
When properly stored, pressed flowers can last for decades. To keep pressed flowers from turning brown and to help maintain their color for a long time, store them between sheets of acid-free paper in a dark, dry place.
How to Use Pressed Flowers
There are so many fun things to do with pressed flowers! Here are a few ideas.
Glue them to blank note cards to give with birthday presents or housewarming gifts.
Glue them on a photo mat and then frame them.
Attach them with hot glue to a plain lampshade
Apply them with hot glue to a white pillar candle
Use edible dried flowers as decorations on cakes or cupcakes.
Attach dried flowers with Mod Podge to wood rounds to create coasters.
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