Deborah Chan
Pressing your wedding bouquet is a great way to preserve your wedding flowers and create a beautiful piece of décor for your home. It is a simple process that can be done using a variety of methods, such as pressing them in a book, using a flower pressing kit, or even microwaving them. The simple art of pressing flowers can be traced back to ancient Egypt, and it is a wonderful way to relive your wedding memories for years to come. You can also get creative and use your pressed flowers for various crafts, such as making cards, wall art, or adding them to candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flowers to choose | Flat flowers like pansies or daisies press better than spherical ones like roses. Purple, pink and blue flowers tend to press well, while white flowers are less likely to. |
| Preservation methods | Flowers can be pressed in a book, in a microwave, or using a pressing kit. |
| Paper | Coffee filters, blotting paper, printer paper, parchment paper, thin cardboard, or plain untreated facial tissues can be used to absorb moisture and aid drying. Avoid textured paper towels as they can leave an imprint. |
| Display | Flowers can be framed or used to decorate candles or cards. |
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What You'll Learn
Using a flower pressing kit
Firstly, it's important to choose the right flowers for pressing. Opt for flowers that are fresh, flat, and dry. The fresher your petals are, the better they will press. Avoid flowers with blemishes or dark spots, and select blooms that are close to full bloom. If you are picking flowers from a garden, do so in the morning once any dew has disappeared. It's also important to avoid flowers with thick, fleshy, water-rich petals, such as succulents, begonias, or portulaca, as these may be prone to mould or scorching when pressed. Flat flowers, such as pansies or daisies, are better suited to pressing than spherical blooms like roses. For roses and other thicker flowers, you can try splitting the flower in half before pressing, or separating the individual petals.
Now, onto the pressing methods. A typical paper flower pressing kit will require you to place the flowers between two pieces of absorbent paper, such as parchment paper, and then put this inside a heavy book. You can also use coffee filters, printer paper, thin cardboard, or untreated facial tissue. Avoid textured paper towels, as they can leave an imprint on your flowers. Leave the flowers for two weeks to one month, or until they are completely dry.
If you're short on time, you can try the ironing method. First, lay out a few pieces of newspaper and place your flower petals on top so that none overlap. Then, layer with a sheet of wax paper. Be sure that your iron does not contain any water and is set to medium or low heat. You can also try the microwave method, which involves laying your stems on a paper towel and placing them in the microwave for a couple of hours. However, this method may result in excessively moist flowers that are prone to mould, or flowers that are so dry they become brittle and fall apart.
Finally, once your flowers are dry, you can place them in a frame to display them. Carefully remove the stems from the paper and arrange the flowers according to your aesthetic preferences. Be gentle, as you don't want to accidentally break off any petals.
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Drying flowers in a microwave
Preparation
Before you begin the process of drying, it is important to choose the right flowers. Pick flowers that are close to full bloom and avoid any with blemishes or dark spots. Brighter colours are better as white flowers tend to discolour when heated. Ensure the flowers are completely dry to prevent mould and mildew.
Materials
You will need the following materials:
- Fresh flowers
- Paper towels or cotton rags
- Microwave
- Microwave-safe dish
- Scissors
Step-by-Step Guide
- Cut the blooms and leaves as desired. You can cut them off right below the bloom or leave them on the stem. If you choose to keep the stems, you may need to trim them so they fit in the microwave.
- Place the blooms on a paper towel, ensuring the petals are flat and smoothed out.
- Cover the blooms with another paper towel or by folding the rag in half.
- Place the paper towel and blooms in the microwave and set a heavy microwave-safe dish on top.
- Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, checking the flowers after each round to prevent over-drying. The total drying time will depend on the power of your microwave and the type of flowers you are drying.
- Allow the flowers and the microwave to cool between rounds to avoid overheating.
- If the paper towel becomes damp, replace it with a dry sheet.
- Repeat the process until the flowers are dry and appear flat.
Microwave pressing is a convenient and quick way to preserve flowers from a special occasion, such as a wedding. This method helps to maintain the beauty of the flowers by retaining their colour and shape.
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Pressing flowers in a book
Preserving your wedding bouquet by pressing the flowers in a book is a great way to add a new piece of artwork to your home and to keep the memories alive. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to pressing flowers in a book:
Firstly, you need to select the flowers you would like to press. You can choose to press the entire bouquet or just a few blossoms. If you are pressing the whole bouquet, you may want to trim any bulky parts of the flowers so that they lay flatter. It is also recommended to pick flowers with purple, pink, and blue colors, as these tend to press well.
Next, you will need to prepare the book and the flowers for pressing. Open the book and line the pages with absorbent paper. Newspaper works well for this purpose, as it is absorbent and has anti-fungal properties. You can also use wax paper, parchment paper, or kitchen paper. Place the flowers as flat as possible on the paper, being careful not to overlap them. Then, close the book and place a weight on top to apply pressure. You can use a heavy object, such as a brick, or pile on more heavy books.
The drying time will depend on the thickness of the petals and the environment. Place the book in a warm, dry location to help preserve the color and speed up the drying process. You can also use a radiator or central heating boiler to provide a gentle flow of warm air. Check on your flowers daily, and replace the absorbent paper every few days if needed. For thinner flowers, the drying process may take around 2-2.5 weeks, while thicker flowers may need up to 4 weeks.
Once the flowers are completely dry, carefully remove them from the book. Your pressed flowers will be very delicate, so handle them with care to avoid tearing. Now, you can use your creativity to arrange the flowers in a frame or display them as artwork.
Overall, pressing flowers in a book is a simple and rewarding way to preserve your wedding bouquet and create lasting memories.
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Hanging flowers to dry
Step 1: Unwrap the Bouquet
Remove any tape, ties, or unnecessary foliage from your bouquet. You can use scissors or garden snips to cut away any excess foliage at the base of the stem.
Step 2: Choose a Dry Location
Find a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area, such as a hallway closet or near a window. Avoid direct sunlight as it can cause discolouration.
Step 3: Hang the Bouquet Upside Down
Tie the bouquet together at the base of the stems. Then, hang the bouquet upside down. You can use a hook or a hanger to suspend the bouquet.
Step 4: Let It Dry Naturally
Leave the bouquet to air-dry for at least one week, but preferably for two to three weeks. The drying time may vary depending on the temperature and humidity levels. Check on your flowers regularly to ensure proper ventilation and to prevent moulding.
Step 5: Frame or Display
Once the flowers are completely dry, you can arrange and frame them as desired. You can use a deep frame, shadow box, or a clear glass frame to display your flowers.
Additional Tips:
- If you have rounder blooms, you can cut them in half or separate the individual petals before hanging them to dry.
- You can also try spraying the dried flowers with hairspray and a matte or glossy acrylic spray to help preserve them further.
- If you want to retain the original colour of your flowers, consider using the silica gel method before hanging them to dry.
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Displaying pressed flowers
Framing
One popular way to display pressed flowers is to frame them. You can purchase frames from stores or online, or you can DIY your own frame. When selecting a frame, consider the size of the flowers you want to display and whether you want a mat or glass covering. A mat will create space between the glass and your flowers, while a glass covering will give a floating effect.
Once you have your frame, cut and arrange the flowers to fit your aesthetic preferences. Secure the flowers to the backing board or paper using double-sided tape or glue. You can also apply a coat of Mod Podge over the flowers to keep them in place and enhance their colour.
Candles
Another unique way to display pressed flowers is to decorate candles with them. For this method, you will need plain taper candles, a tea light, and a small paintbrush. Light the tea candle and allow the wax to soften. Hold a dried flower or petal over the taper candle and use the paintbrush to apply wax over it, pressing as needed until the flower stays flat. You can apply as many petals as you like and create a romantic and meaningful addition to your dinner table.
Other Display Ideas
Pressed flowers can also be used in a variety of other crafts. You can create artwork by gluing or painting pressed flowers onto paper or canvas. You can also submerge them in epoxy resin molds to create items such as paperweights. Pressed flowers can also be used to decorate journals, cards, or other stationery. The possibilities are endless!
When displaying your pressed flowers, it is important to keep them away from direct sunlight as this will cause their colours to fade over time. Pressed flowers should be handled with care to avoid breaking or damaging the delicate petals.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to press wedding flowers. You can use a pressing kit, or try the traditional method of placing the flowers between the pages of a heavy book. You can also hang the flowers to dry, or use a microwave.
Place the flowers between sheets of wax, blotting, printer, or parchment paper, cardboard, or facial tissue to absorb moisture. Put the flowers and paper between the pages of a heavy book and leave to press.
Place the flowers on paper towels, then lay them on cardboard. Put the cardboard on the microwave turntable and weigh it down with bricks. Heat on high for 30-60 seconds, then let the flowers cool. Repeat until the flowers are dry but not browned. Finish drying at room temperature.
You can place your pressed flowers in a frame to display them as a piece of artwork. You could also use them to decorate candles or make cards.
