How to Press Flowers
Learning how to press flowers can be a fun and rewarding project for children. Chrysanthemums, marigolds and even late zinnias are just a few of the autumn flowers that can be pressed for later use. Use pressed flowers in greeting cards, paper making or just about any other craft. Here are a few tips to help your kids press some autumn flowers.
Choosing flowers
Send the kids on a fresh flower hunt. Flowers that have just bloomed are best for pressing. The colors are still vibrant and the flower is healthy. It just makes a better pressing flower. Make sure the kids gently check the flower for any critters before you press them. You wouldn't want to have any pressed insects or critters in the flowers, would you?
Choose flowers that don't have any moisture. This can be hard. Wait until the flowers have had a few days of sunshine only. This helps to deter mold that can grow on the flowers while being pressed.
If the kids want to add some green, like stems and leaves, to the pressed flowers, that is fine. So that the green parts don't fade over time, rub a little glycerin over the stems, leaves or greens. Glycerin can be found in most craft stores, or take a small paintbrush and paint the greens with fabric softener that contains glycerin.
Make your own press
You can take two thick pieces of wood and make a flower press. Get some plain butcher paper or newsprint. Place the paper on the wooden blocks, then place a regular piece of white copy paper. Arrange the flowers on the white paper. Make sure the flowers aren't touching each other. This will help them dry faster. Then place one more sheet of newsprint on the pile. Place the other wooden block on top and put a heavy item on top of the stack. Check the flowers every other day to see how they are progressing.
You can also press flowers in books. Do it the same way as with the two wooden blocks, using newsprint and copy paper. Be sure the book doesn't get ruined and the flowers don't leak through the pages. Thoroughly dry the flowers before you press them. Put extra books on top of the book you are pressing the flowers in.
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