How to Press Flowers in Books
Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. One reason that I love Spring is due to the abundance of wildflowers in Texas. I have been pressing wildflowers from dirt roads and fields for years. Therefore, I want to share some how to press flowers in books. Plus, I have a list of 10 things that you can do with pressed flowers.
How to Press Flowers
- Place the flower face down in a book. You can sandwich between parchment paper if you worried about the book. However, it may take longer to dry because it holds moisture longer than paper.
- Close the book, add weight on top, and leave for 2-4 weeks.
Thin plants like herbs, or wildflower like foxglove and buttercups will take less time to press than thicker plants. Thicker plants like thistles, roses or sunflowers may require 6 weeks to press. Therefore, the plant should feel similar to paper, and there shouldn’t be moisture in the pressed flower.
If you want to use a flower press instead of old books, I linked some here from Amazon.
Tips to Beautifully Pressed Flowers
- Gather flowers on a sunny day when they are not wet from the morning dew or Spring rain showers.
- Look for clean flowers free of spots, blemishes or insect nests.
- Old dictionaries, phone books, encyclopedias are great to press multiple flowers at one time.
- Pay close attention to the direction of the petals and leaves when placing them in the book.
What can you do with Pressed Flowers?
- Greeting cards- Use modpodge glue to adhere to folded card stock.
- Flower Journal – Tape or glue pressed flowers into a blank paper journal and label accordingly.
- Artwork – Matte and frame or place between floating glass frames.
- Suncatchers – Place pressed flowers between clear contact paper.
- Bookmarks – Adhere to cut card stock with clear contact paper or modpodge glue.
- Candle Making – Add to the inside of jars before pouring wax when making soy candles.
- Coasters – Use modpodge to glue and seal pressed flowers onto wood coasters.
- Decoupage – Use modpodge or a sealer to apply to decor like trays, pottery, wood crates or a jewelry box.
- Seasonal Decor – Glue onto pumpkins for Halloween or eggs for Easter.
- Jewelry Making – Add flowers to necklace pendant charms, like these, or with resin molds, like these.
If you are looking for a quicker way to press flowers or herbs, you can do so in the microwave! I shared tips for pressing plants in the microwave, here. However, I just love the process of using old books! Thanks for stopping by the blog, y’all!
Thanks for sharing this Amy. I love this idea and hope to press some flowers for art in my greenhouse (once it’s finished.).
Rachel
A greenhouse sounds wonderful. That is a goal of mine too! First goal is to learn more about plants, in general and grow a green thumb! lol
Flowers often color the pages they’re pressed between, so it’s usually a good idea to place them between 2 notebook sheets to preserve the book.
Thank you for the tip. I often use parchment paper too!