Introduction: Pocket Flower Press

About: I like sewing and crafts,and trying new things. I'm vegetarian and always looking for new recipes. My cat's name is Mirko and likes to be in the centre of things, so you will see him in several of my instruc…

Have you ever been out for a stroll and found some pretty flowers that you want to preserve only to find that by the time you arrive home they are crushed, wilted, and no longer good for pressing. Well suffer no more with this handy pocket-sized flower press, now you can press flowers on the go!

Step 1: What You Need:

Materials:

  • Plywood
  • Thin corrugated cardboard
  • Paper (blotting paper/ newsprint/ tissue paper, etc)
  • Nylon strap with a metal loop
  • Velcro

Tools
  • Wood cutting and sanding tools (I used a Dremel)
  • Scissors
  • Needle and thread
  • Glue (that white non-toxic stuff)
  • Ruler
  • Pencil

Step 2: Preparing the Wood

This flower press has an outer layer of wood sandwiching alternating layers of corrugated cardboard and paper. The plywood I used came from a lid from a dollar store jewelry box (the other part, I used for a previous project).

  • Cut the plywood into two equal sized pieces, about 9cm X 6cm.
  • Sand the corners so that they are rounded.
  • Sand the edges of the wood so that they are smooth.

Step 3: Preparing Cardboard and Paper

Cardboard
Corrugated cardboard is recommended for pressing flowers since it allows for more air flow, improving drying, on the downside it can leave lines on the flowers from the cardboard ridges. I've used corrugated for my press, but try it and see how it works for you.

  • Cut six pieces of cardboard, 9cm X 6cm (the same size as the plywood in step 2).
  • Trim the corners so that they are rounded.

Paper
For my press, I just use regular white recycled paper that I use in my printer, but you can use other types too, for example: newsprint, tissue paper, blotting paper, etc. (Avoid using paper with ink on it, like newspaper, it may rub off on the flowers, also avoid paper towels since they can leave impressions on the flowers).

  • Cut five pieces of 9cmX12cm paper.
  • Fold in half (so they become the same size as the cardboard).
  • Trim the corners so that they are rounded.

Step 4: Layers

Each layer of paper should have cardboard on either side and the folds should open on the same side. There should be a layer of cardboard at each end next to the plywood. So you should have:
wood-cardboard-paper-cardboard-paper-cardboard-paper-cardboard-paper-cardboard-paper-cardboard-wood!

This will give you five spots to place you flowers/leaves. You can add more or less paper/cardboard if you want the flower press thicker or thinner (how big are your pockets?)

Step 5: Nylon Strap

Many models of flower presses use bolts and wing nuts on each corner, to press the two pieces of wood together, this works great, but it is not something that you could comfortably stuff into your pocket. Instead, this flower press uses a nylon strap that you can sinch tight.

  • Sew one end of the nylon strap around the metal loop.
  • Mark on the strap where the velcro(loops) should be and sew in place.
  • Find placement of the other velcro piece(hooks) and sew in place.
  • Cut off excess nylon, leaving about 2cm from the end of the velcro.
  • With a flame singe the end of the nylon to prevent fraying, fold over and sew in place.

(see images below)

Step 6: Finishing Up

Gluing the nylon strap onto the press

  • Place the end of the strap with the metal hoop about halfway up the side of the wood.
  • Glue in place.
  • Wrap the nylon strap around and glue in place on the other side. (All of the layers of cardboard and paper should be in the press to ensure the correct thickness).
  • Wait for the glue to dry before you use (I waited until the next day.)

-Feel free to decorate however you like with paint, sharpies, pyrography, glue pressed flowers on, etc.

-Add a small pencil and bring along a plant guide if you are a budding naturalist,so you can write down the name an location of your specimens.

Step 7: Pressing Flowers

  • For best results pick the flower/leaf you wish to press in the morning.
  • Make sure it is dry, no raindrops or dew on it (or little bugs).
  • Place the fresh flower or leaf in a fold of paper.
  • If you like you can jot down on the paper it's name and the location it was found.
  • Close press and sinch nylon strap as tight as you can.
  • You can leave it in the press, or transfer the fold of paper to a phone book when you get home.
  • It takes about a week to dry, but it can vary.
  • Replace paper as needed.

Be careful when picking wildflowers, there are some restrictions around picking plants in national parks as well as plants that are endangered.

Pocket-Sized Contest

Participated in the
Pocket-Sized Contest