Flower pressing was popular back in the 90’s but faded out in trendiness alongside the Walkman and the cropped top. This old-world method of preserving flowers is the traditional method of making confetti for a wedding celebration. It helps keep the structure of the flower intact while the color dulls only slightly. When you press a flower, you are preserving a little piece of natural beauty for future admiration.
Traditional Methods of Flower Pressing
The idea of a flower or plant press is attributed to one Luca Ghini, a 15th century botanist of good reputation. Luca wanted to preserve a flower collection, and created the first ever plant press in order to make this happen. His invention consisted of two boards connected by straps. The boards were open, the specimen placed between them, and then they were closed again. Afterwards, the straps would be tightened as fast as they could be. The plant press would then work to dry out the pressed flower over time.
Back in the 90’s and forward a few hundred years, the most used method for flower pressing was to use two books as your pressure pads. A sheet of blank or scrap paper inserted between the covers was folded in half and filled with petals or flower heads. The blank paper would absorb the stain of the plant and soak up the water while protecting the valuable books. Once the books were pressing either side of the paper, weight would be added. The more weight the better. Pressed flowers were often made under whole stacks of books for added pressure.
How Can I Press Flowers At Home?
Nowadays you can still use the tried-and-tested flower press or book method, but you can also get much faster results if you use a simple iron. If you want to press your own flowers all you need to do is pick your selection, place the specimens between two sheets of blank paper, then iron over the top a single time. Check your progress and try again. Make sure you don’t use either wax or parchment paper, as these will seal in the moisture instead of drying the specimen out.
For more tips on flower pressing at home, you can visit WikiHow.
What Can I Do With Pressed Flowers?
If you are trying to life a more sustainable lifestyle then pressed flowers are a beautiful alternative to glitter. They can be used for confetti, as decorations for your home, to make greetings cards, and to make pot-pourri. All of these things can be sold, given as gifts, or kept for their beauty to brighten your little homestead.
Other things you could make with your pressed flowers include:
- Pretty plates – clear bowls, plates, cups and saucers can all be emblazoned with pressed flowers.
- Candle making is enhanced by pressed flowers.
- Soap making can also be accentuated with some floral pieces.
- Cool Crafts have a whole host of other ideas if you are interested.
It’s Time to Get Picking!
No matter what time of year it is there is usually at least one plant in bloom. Do a little research into native species in your area and find out what you could be picking – then get pressing. There are so many things you can do with your pressed flower collection that there really is no excuse. Get out there, get some fresh air, and get productive in the process!
How fun! I recently saw where someone pressed queen annes lace and used it to decorate her christmas tree. So delicate and yet stunning!
~ Emily from So Sunny Day Blog