Want to preserve the beauty of your garden blooms for longer than their fleeting lifespan? You don’t need a fancy flower press or weeks of drying time – you can press flowers fast and easily with just an iron. This technique is perfect for crafters and DIY enthusiasts who need their flowers dried quickly for projects.
How to Dry Flowers Fast
Here’s what you’ll need:
Flowers: Choose fresh flowers with sturdy petals and stems. Look for flowers that are in full bloom and haven’t started to wilt. Avoid flowers with delicate petals that are easily bruised, as these might not press well. A good starting point is to choose flowers like daisies, pansies, or even sturdy ferns.
Towel: A clean, absorbent towel to protect your work surface. This will prevent any heat or moisture from damaging your table or countertop.
Parchment Paper: This is essential for preventing sticking and burning. Wax paper won’t work, as the iron can melt it. Parchment paper is designed to withstand the heat of an iron and is non-stick, making it ideal for this project.
Iron: Make sure your iron is set to the highest heat setting with no steam. Steam can make your flowers soggy and hinder the drying process.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Prepare Your Work Surface: Lay down your towel to protect your surface from any heat or moisture. This will create a barrier between your work surface and the heat of the iron.
Place Your Flowers: Arrange your flowers on the parchment paper, ensuring they are flat and spread out. This step is important for ensuring the flowers dry evenly. You can use your fingers to gently flatten any petals that are curled up. If you are pressing a flower with a thick stem, you can use a pair of scissors to trim it down, making it easier to press.
Cover with Parchment Paper: Layer another sheet of parchment paper over your flowers. This will create a sandwich, protecting the flowers from direct heat and allowing the iron to press against a smooth surface.
Ironing Time: Gently press down on the parchment paper with your hot iron for three seconds. This is crucial – don’t leave the iron in place for longer as it could burn your flowers. The heat from the iron will start to evaporate the moisture from the flowers, causing them to flatten and dry.
Repeat and Check: Move the iron to a new spot and repeat the process. Check the flowers frequently to see how much they have dried. You’ll notice the flowers becoming more brittle and losing their vibrant color as they dry.
Finishing Touch: Once the flowers are mostly dried, place a paper towel over them and weigh them down with heavy objects like books or a piece of wood. This helps to flatten them further and complete the drying process. The weight will help to remove any remaining moisture and ensure the flowers are completely flat.
Important Tips:
Be Gentle: Flowers are delicate, so apply pressure with your iron gently. Don’t press down too hard, as this could damage the flowers.
Don’t Overdo It: Avoid leaving the iron in one spot for too long, as this can scorch the flowers. Keep the iron moving and check the flowers frequently to ensure they are not getting too hot.
Trial and Error: The drying time will vary depending on the thickness and type of flowers. Experiment to find what works best for you. Some flowers, like delicate blossoms, might dry faster than thicker flowers like sunflowers.
Benefits of This Method:
Speed: This method allows you to dry flowers quickly, making them perfect for urgent projects. You can have dried flowers ready to use within a few hours, unlike traditional methods that can take weeks.
Simplicity: It requires minimal equipment and is easy to do. There’s no need for specialized tools or complicated techniques.
Versatility: This technique works well for various flowers and even ferns.
What to do with your Pressed Flowers:
Crafting Projects: Use pressed flowers for creating cards, bookmarks, jewelry, resin crafts, and more.
Decorative Accents: Add pressed flowers to frames, scrapbook pages, or even create your own pressed flower art.
Conclusion:
This quick and easy iron method is a fantastic way to preserve the beauty of your favorite blooms. So grab your iron, your flowers, and get creative! Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own unique techniques.
