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Looking to add a touch of spring to your home décor? Or maybe you want to create a unique gift for a loved one? Either way, pressing flowers is a great way to preserve their beauty. But how do you do it like a pro?
Follow our tips and tricks below and you’ll be pressing flowers like a pro in no time!
Checkout this video:
Introduction
If you’re looking for a creative way to preserve your flowers, pressing them is a great option. Pressed flowers can be used in a variety of projects, such as cards, scrapbooks, and framed artwork. With a little bit of care and patience, you can press flowers like a pro!
The Supplies You Will Need
In order to press flowers like a pro, you will need the following supplies:
-Flowers of your choice
-Pressing sheets or parchment paper
-An iron
-A heavy book
Picking the Perfect Flowers
To get started, you’ll need to gather some fresh flowers. Ideally, you’ll want to pick them early in the morning after the dew has evaporated but before the sun gets too hot. This will help prevent your flowers from wilting. You can also mist your flowers lightly with water before you begin pressing them.
Once you have your flowers, it’s time to start pressing! You can use a flower press, or you can make your own using a few heavy books. Place your flowers between two pieces of absorbent paper (parchment paper or coffee filters work well) and then close your books so that they are nice and snug.
Let your flowers dry for at least a week, checking on them occasionally to make sure they are flattening out nicely. Once they are dry, you can remove them from the press and enjoy their beauty!
The Pressing Process
Pressing flowers is a great way to preserve their natural beauty. There are a few different ways to press flowers, but the most common method is to press them between two sheets of paper.
To press flowers using this method, you’ll need some heavy books, a stack of newspapers, and some parchment paper. Start by layering a few sheets of newspaper on top of each other. Place your flowers on top of the newspapers, making sure they’re not touching each other. Cover the flowers with another layer of parchment paper, then top with another layer of newspapers. Place the stack of papers and flowers inside a heavy book, then close the book and weight it down with other heavy books.
Leave your flowers to press for at least a week, or until they’re completely dry. Once they’re dry, you can remove them from the papers and mount them on cardstock or frame them however you like!
Drying the Flowers
A few days before you plan to press your flowers, remove any leaves or small stems that will be below the waterline in your vase. These can decay quickly and cause your flowers to rot. Choose a vase that is about one-third the height of your flowers. Taller vases work best for larger blooms, while shorter vases are better for smaller ones.
Fill the vase with lukewarm water and add a teaspoon of sugar. This will help keep your flowers fresh and prevent them from wilting. Place the flowers in the vase and top up with more water if necessary.
Leave the flowers in a cool, dark place for 24 hours so they can absorb the water. Make sure there is plenty of air circulation around the vase to prevent mold from forming. After 24 hours, remove the flowers from the vase and gently pat them dry with a paper towel.
Storing the Flowers
To ensure that your pressed flowers last for as long as possible, it is important to store them properly. Once you have pressed your flowers, place them between two sheets of acid-free paper. Store the flowers in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. You can also keep them in an airtight container, such as a zip-top bag or a box with a lid.
Tips and Tricks
Pressing flowers is a great way to preserve their beauty, and it’s surprisingly easy to do! Follow these tips and tricks to get the best results.
– Choose fresh, unbruised flowers. Avoid flowers that have been sitting out in the sun, as they will be more difficult to press.
– If you’re using thin petals, layer them between sheets of wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
– Place your flowers between the pages of a heavy book, and weight the book down with something heavy (like a stack of books).
– Check on your flowers every few days, and replace the wax paper if it gets damp.
– Once your flowers are completely dry, they can be used in crafts or framing.
FAQs
1. What do I need to press flowers?
All you need is a flower press! You can buy a flower press online or at a craft store.
2. What kind of flowers can I press?
Almost any type of flower can be pressed, but thinner petals work best. Avoid pressing flowers with sap, like poppies, as they will likely stain your press.
3. How long does it take to press a flower?
It depends on the type of flower and how thick the petals are. For thinner petals, it may only take a few days. For thicker petals, it could take weeks. Check on your flowers every few days to see how they are progressing.
4. What can I do with pressed flowers?
Pressed flowers can be used for all sorts of projects, like greeting cards, scrapbooking, and decoupage. Get creative and have fun!
