How To Press Flowers
The art of flower pressing has been enjoyed for centuries. Now, with our increasingly busy way of life, pressing flowers is becoming a popular activity as we crave moments of quiet and calm and seek ways to reconnect with nature. It is a simple activity that can be enjoyed by all ages - fresh flowers are picked and placed inside a flower press or a heavy book; the pressure flattens the flowers whilst the passing of time and the paper they are placed between dries them, resulting in beautifully preserved blooms that can be admired for years to come. It’s a magical process, and an intriguing way to pause time and capture special memories.
Alongside the traditional method of flower pressing, there are also some modern techniques, such as using a microwave or an iron to speed up the drying process, or using silica to remove the moisture from the flowers. As an advocate for sustainability and living gently on our amazing planet, I only ever press my flowers using traditional flower presses - the slow, mindful way - the way my Granny taught me. Traditional flower pressing encourages patience as it’s a process that can’t be rushed, and it provides a rare sense of anticipation and excitement as the time nears to open your flower press and reveal the treasures inside.
If you’d like to give flower pressing a go, I’d encourage you to try pressing flowers under the weight of a heavy book to begin with. If you enjoy it (I really hope you do!), I’d then recommend investing in a good quality flower press. Using the very best equipment will really elevate your results. The Meadow and Thyme flower press has been designed (by me!) to a professional standard, and truly is the best flower press I’ve ever used. You also need to make sure you use the right paper inside your flower press - paper that absorbs moisture and helps with colour and shape retention - I recommend using layers of quality blotting paper and greyboard. It usually takes three weeks to press flowers the traditional way.
To learn more about how to press flowers, you’ll find visual step-by-step instructions in my book, The Pressed Flower Handbook, alongside a way to adapt my methods so that you can use heavy books rather than a flower press when you are starting out. There’s also guidance on the best flowers to press, lots of tips and tricks including how to store pressed flowers and how to work with more challenging flowers such as roses, stunning creative projects and inspiring photography throughout.
Flower pressing is a joyful way to unwind, calm the mind and feel closer to our natural surroundings. I hope you give it a go and discover the wonderful world of flower pressing for yourself.
