Deborah Chan
Flowers are a meaningful gift, especially when received from someone special. Pressing flowers is a great way to preserve them and can be done using various methods. Pressed flowers can be used for home decor, wedding signage, snail mail, and more. The simple art form of pressing flowers can be traced back to ancient Egypt, and its popularity has fluctuated over time but never completely disappeared. This article will provide a guide to pressing flowers, specifically addressing how to press flowers for wedding purposes, and the different methods one can use to achieve this.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to press wedding flowers | To preserve memories, add artwork to your home, and be sustainable |
| Flowers to choose | Flowers that are fresh, flat, and dry; close to full bloom; without blemishes or dark spots |
| Flowers to avoid | Flowers with a lot of water in the stems or petals, thick flowers like succulents, and spherical flowers like roses |
| Preparation | Pick flowers in the morning after dew is gone; keep flowers in water until ready to press; cut stems at an angle; place flowers in a vase with flower food; replace water daily |
| Pressing methods | Using a book, iron, microwave, wooden flower press, or microwave pressed flower board |
| Display methods | Framing, coasters, phone cases, lollipops, candles, cards, wall art, jewelry, shadow boxes, or in resin molds |
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What You'll Learn
Pressing flowers in a book
Firstly, you need to pick the right flowers. Always choose flowers that are close to full bloom and avoid ones with blemishes or dark spots. If you are picking flowers from a garden, it is best to do so in the morning after any dew has evaporated. Make sure the flowers are completely dry, as moisture can lead to mould. If you are using a bouquet, keep it in water until you are ready to press the flowers.
Once you have selected your flowers, you can begin the pressing process. Start by lining a heavy book with newspaper or wax paper. Place your flowers as flat as you can on the page, then close the book and weigh it down with additional heavy books or other heavy objects. Store the book in a warm, dry place and check on your flowers daily.
The drying time will depend on the thickness of the petals and can range from a few days to several weeks. You will know the flowers are ready when they feel completely dry and paper-thin. For thicker flowers, you may need to wait up to four weeks.
Once your flowers are dry, carefully remove them from the book and handle them with care as they can be very delicate. Now, you can use your pressed flowers for various crafts or display them as artwork. You can create beautiful art, decorate cards, bookmarks, or photo frames, or even make candles with dried petals.
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Using an iron
Pressing flowers with an iron is a quick method for preserving flowers when you don't want to wait a few weeks for them to dry. It is also a good option if you don't have the space to leave a pile of heavy books sitting around for a month. However, it is worth noting that the quality of pressed flowers may be lower than those dried using other methods, and they may not be entirely flat.
To press flowers with an iron, start by picking vibrant blooms free of blemishes. Flowers with naturally flat blooms, like violets and daisies, are the easiest to work with for this method. If you have thicker flowers, like roses or orchids, try cutting them in half first. Avoid flowers that are thick and hold a lot of moisture, such as marigolds.
Next, remove any remaining green stems, leaves, or any parts of the flower that may hold extra moisture, such as the base. Then, place the flower on a piece of absorbent paper, such as parchment paper or greaseproof paper. If you are using greaseproof paper, leave some room between the flowers so that they don't touch each other after ironing. Place another piece of paper on top of the flowers.
Turn on your iron to a low setting and ensure that the steam function is turned off. Place the iron carefully over the flowers and hold it there for 10 to 20 seconds. Check the flowers and repeat the process until they are stiff and dry. This may take a few intervals of ironing. Note that the flowers may still need to dry for a few days after ironing.
Once your flowers are pressed and dry, you can display them in a frame or use them in craft projects. Pressed flowers can also be used to create sentimental gifts or dress up handwritten cards and letters.
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The microwave method
Pressing flowers in the microwave is a quick and easy way to preserve flowers from a special occasion. The microwave method helps to preserve the vibrancy of the flowers, which can sometimes fade with the traditional pressing method.
- Cut the blooms and leaves as desired. You can cut them off right below the bloom or leave them on the stem. You may need to trim the stems so they fit in the microwave.
- Place the blooms on top of a piece of paper towel or on one side of a cotton rag. Make sure the petals are flat and smoothed out, as they will dry in the position they are placed.
- Cover with another paper towel or by folding the rag in half.
- Place in the microwave and set a heavy, microwave-safe dish on top.
- Microwave at half power for 90 seconds. Check your flowers. They should feel dry and papery. If they still feel moist, put them back in the microwave for 30-second intervals until dry.
- Remove from the microwave and let them cool. They will get stiffer as they cool and fully dry.
You can now use your pressed flowers for artwork, greeting cards, or as a gift.
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Air drying
Next, gather the stems together and wind a length of string or twine around the top a few times, securing with a tight knot. Leave enough string to form a loop to hang them with. The stems will shrink as they dry, so ensure that the bunches are tight but not too tight to avoid breaking the stems.
Hang the bouquet upside down in a dry, cool, and dark location, such as a garage or a dark cupboard. Allow the flowers to air-dry for at least a week, or longer if it is cool. The flowers will dry naturally, and you can then use them for various decorative purposes.
You can also salvage a few sprigs of dried flowers for crafts. For example, you can burn dried petals during romantic dinners at home. Light a tea candle and allow the wax to soften. Hold a dried petal or flower sprig over a plain taper candle, dip a paintbrush into the wax, and apply it to the flower like glue, pressing until it stays flat.
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Displaying pressed flowers
Pressed flowers can be displayed in a variety of ways, from simple to complex, depending on your preference and aesthetic. Here are some ideas for displaying pressed flowers:
Framing
One popular way to display pressed flowers is by framing them. You can use a variety of frames, such as glass, floating, wooden, or acrylic frames. You can also get creative and make your own floating frame by purchasing two identical frames, removing the glass from one, and placing both pieces of glass in the other frame. This creates a three-dimensional effect. You can also include your wedding invitation in the frame for a personal touch.
Resin
Another option is to use resin to create decorative items with your pressed flowers, such as paperweights, keychains, coasters, ring dishes, or serving trays. These can be functional and beautiful additions to your home decor while preserving your special memories.
Pressed Flower Art
Create artwork with your pressed flowers by arranging them on a canvas or background of your choice. You can use a variety of materials, such as burlap fabric, cardboard, or paper, and glue or tape to secure the flowers in place. Get creative and experiment with different compositions and colour schemes to complement your home decor.
Cake Decorations
If you're feeling creative, you can use pressed flowers to decorate your wedding cake or dessert. This adds a unique and natural touch to your special day. You can also alternate decorated cake layers with bare ones to create a minimalist look and highlight the ornate layers.
Hanging Displays
Display your pressed flowers by hanging them upside down from the ceiling or on a wall. This method adds a whimsical and elegant touch to your decor and can be enhanced with a UV protectant spray to preserve the flowers.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The possibilities are endless when it comes to displaying pressed flowers, so feel free to experiment and create something unique to cherish your special memories.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to press flowers for a wedding. You can use a book, an iron, a microwave, or buy a wooden flower press.
Place your flowers between two pieces of wax, parchment, or blotting paper, then put them inside the pages of a heavy book. Weight the book down with something heavy and leave for six to eight weeks.
Place your flowers on a sheet of wax paper and layer with another sheet on top. Set your iron to medium or low, with no water inside, and carefully place it over the flowers for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat with fresh blotting paper until the flowers are stiff and dry.
Lay your flowers on a paper towel, spacing them out evenly. Put the paper towel on a piece of cardboard and place it in the microwave. Heat on high for 30 to 60 seconds, let cool, then heat again.
Choose flowers that are fresh, flat, and dry. Pansies and daisies press better than spherical flowers like roses. Avoid flowers with thick petals, like succulents.
