PETAL PUSHING

A GUIDE TO PRESSING

Flowers

There is something vintage about the art of pressed flowers and a craft that spans across centuries. Originating from the 16th century in Japan, pressed flowers, or Oshibana, is the process of using flowers and other botanicals to create a larger picture. Culturally, pressed or “dried” flowers symbolise resilience, strength, and endurance.

There’s a real beauty in the ability to preserve flowers, encapsulating a moment or memory into art. Whether florals from your backyard, your travels, or something as special as a wedding bouquet, preserving flowers is a great way to extend their life and bring them back to life in a new form.

what you’ll need

• Flowers, Greens or Leaves

• Flower Press or Heavy Books

• Scissors

• Parchment Paper

• Cardboard

• Flowers, leaves, and botanicals can be pressed in a traditional flower press or in large, heavy books with parchment paper.

• If pressing flowers from an outside garden, allow them to dry indoors before pressing, as moisture could cause the flower to turn brown or cause mould.

• There is no shortage of florals to press, however consider the thickness when choosing your flowers. Smaller, thinner options such as pansies and violas press well, while roses and gerbera daisies are much thicker and may not press as flat, or take longer to fully dry.

• Consider pressing individual petals rather than the whole flower to create a different result.

• If you don’t have a flower press, lay flowers between two sheets of parchment paper and place them within a large, heavy book. Stack other books on top, as the extra weight will help press the flowers as flat as possible.

• It will take roughly 2-3 weeks for flowers to fully press.

• Ensure your pressed flowers are completely dry before sealing and creating your craft.

• Pressed flowers are delicate, so care in handling is important.

• Some amount of fading is inevitable, however pressed flowers can last over 100 years with proper care and sealing.

• Keep dried flowers out of moist and humid conditions.

• Mod Podge is one of the best products to seal pressed flowers, protecting and preserving their colour - other options include: acrylic spray, clear nail polish, archival quality sealant.

4.