Looking to preserve the fleeting beauty of your favourite spring blooms? Pressing flowers is a timeless and simple way to create lasting keepsakes from your garden. This beginner-friendly technique allows you to capture the ephemeral charm of flowers without needing artistic skills.
Whether you choose pansies, forget-me-nots, or other delicate blossoms, this guide will walk you through selecting, preparing, and pressing flowers using methods like flower presses, heavy books, or even an iron. Start your flower-pressing journey today and enjoy the lasting beauty of your blooms for years to come.
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Pressing flowers is a lovely way to preserve the ephemeral beauty of your favourite blooms. It is a simpler alternative to drawing that even beginners can use to create a record of the seasons.
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Select fresh flowers in full bloom and free of blemishes. Thin, delicate flowers like pansies and forget-me-nots are ideal for pressing. Remove excess leaves and thick stems, and wipe away any dirt or moisture with a soft cloth.
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There are several ways to press flowers, including using a flower press, a heavy book, or an iron. The most common method is to use a flower press, which can be made at home using cardboard and paper, or purchased from most craft stores. Etsy has a beautiful selection of ornate handmade presses.
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Once you have selected your pressing method, lay your flowers out on a sheet of acid-free paper or cardboard, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Place another sheet of paper or cardboard on top of them, and then put the entire stack between the pages of a heavy book or into your flower press – if using an iron, opt for a sheet of paper and gently press the iron over it for a few seconds, then place the flowers into a press or heavy book.
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Leave your flowers in the press or book for several days to weeks, depending on their thickness. Check on them occasionally, and replace the paper if it becomes damp. Once your flowers are fully pressed and dry, carefully remove them from the paper or cardboard. You can use them for a variety of crafts or to decorate a cake! Remember, the key to pressing flowers is to be patient and gentle. With a little time and effort, you can create beautiful pressed-flower creations that will last for years to come.
Ready to discover wonder in bloom? Embark on a captivating journey where Adriana Picker unveils floral masterpieces, accompanied by insights into their unique characteristics and significance here.
Would you like to know more? Pick up a copy of Blossom, written and illustrated by Adriana Picker. Published by Hardie Grant Books, it is available where all good books are sold.
This article was originally published under the title Wonder in Bloom in Issue 37 – Practising Patience. You can purchase previous issues and enjoy more enchanting content here.
