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 Our Blog: Fort Bend County’s Local History Museum

Flower Pressing

4/24/2020

15 Comments

 
By SHANNON CARR
Museum Assistant

The art of flower pressing has been around since early human civilization. Pressed laurels and garlands were even found in the 3,000-year-old coffin of Tutenkhamun’s mother in Egypt! However, the official art of pressing flowers to form decorative images originated in the 1500s and is called Oshibana. The art of Oshibana uses pressed flowers, petals and other plants to create a detailed image. Through interaction between Japan and Europe, Oshibana became a popular art in the Victorian era.
In the mid-1800s, discussions about flower pressing started appearing in texts and news reports all over the world. The unlimited resources and relative ease of flower pressing attracted middle- and upper-class Victorian ladies who were looking for new ways to express themselves artistically and interact with the natural world. During this period, flower pressing evolved into much more than just an art form. It became a way to document, preserve and record new or unseen plants and save special memories.  
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Pressed flower craft Oshibana by Ukrainian artist-florist Tatiana Berdnik, https://sk.pinterest.com/pin/675962225292511290/.
Many books were published in the 1900s that challenged the hobbyist to make more complicated and detailed arrangements. Flower pressing also expanded various scientific fields by providing a means for explorers to preserve specimens with relative ease.

The art of flower pressing has been nearly unchanged from its original development, and it continues to be a rewarding and fun hobby. Make your own flower-pressed creation by following the steps below. Happy crafting!

Materials:
  • Flowers
  • Parchment Paper
  • A heavy book (like a telephone book or a large dictionary)
  • Weight

Directions:
  1. Make sure that your flowers are completely dry.
  2. Arrange your flowers face-down in your heavy book lined with parchment paper.
  3. Close the book and place your weighted object directly on top.  
  4. Leave your arrangement undisturbed and covered for 7 to 10 days.

TIP: Try looking for fallen petals and blooms at your local outdoor store for unique additions! 
Picture
Picture
Travel log entries by Gertrude Tredwell during a trip to the White Mountains and Northampton in July 1865, http://merchantshouse.org/tag/gertrude/
15 Comments
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5/4/2023 12:25:30 pm

i have been doing pressed flowers since i was 20...now i am 90 and still doing this. best advice is to keep pressed flowers out of sun's fading properties.. i use old telephone books to press

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11/26/2024 04:55:16 am

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2/10/2025 10:25:40 pm

Pressing flowers is such a beautiful and classic pastime! It's a lovely method to capture the beauty of flowers and produce artwork that will be appreciated for years to come.Choose flowers that have not been damaged or blemished and are in full bloom. Using a paper towel, gently pat the flowers to remove any extra moisture. If necessary, trim the stems.

Reply
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2/11/2025 02:50:39 am

A lovely and classic method of preserving flowers is flower pressing, which enables you to make exquisite ornaments or mementos. Pressed flowers are ideal for crafts, cards, and artwork since they may hold their color and shape for years with the correct technique. <a href="https://srislawyer.com/reckless-driving-washington-county-va-lawyer/">washington county reckless driving</a> In Washington County, Virginia, reckless driving is a severe infraction that carries heavy fines, license suspension, and perhaps jail time. Due to Virginia's severe traffic rules, getting legal counsel might help you avoid fines and preserve your driving record.

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2/14/2025 11:35:12 pm

Put the flowers inside a hefty book after sandwiching them between two pieces of parchment paper. Let them stay there for a week or two. Make your own flower press with bolts and wooden boards. Three weeks to a month may pass using this strategy.

Reply
emmaa link
2/22/2025 04:49:59 am

You may retain the beauty of flowers in a flat, dried shape by pressing them, which is a fun and classic pastime. It's a great way to use flowers that have sentimental or seasonal value to make decorations, artwork, and keepsakes.

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2/24/2025 08:59:52 pm

The Local History Museum of Fort Bend County, a wealth of objects and anecdotes that preserve the area's rich legacy, is the subject of our blog. The museum provides an intriguing look into the past, including everything from early settlements to significant cultural events.

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Hendry link
2/25/2025 09:28:23 pm

Flower pressing is a beautiful and traditional way to preserve flowers that allows you to create beautiful jewelry or keepsakes. With the right technique, pressed flowers can retain their color and shape for years, making them perfect for crafts, cards, and artwork.

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2/26/2025 01:28:28 am

Line two sheets of absorbent paper (such as blotting paper or parchment) with the flowers. After that, put them inside a bulky book. To increase the pressure, place additional books or weights on top. Give the flowers two to four weeks to dry.

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2/27/2025 02:11:06 am

Pressing flowers is a beautiful and traditional way to preserve flowers, allowing you to create beautiful decorations or keepsakes. Since pressed flowers may retain their color and shape for years with the right method, they are perfect for crafts, cards, and artwork.

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2/28/2025 10:53:41 pm

A fun and inventive method of preserving the beauty of flowers and leaves is flower pressing. For generations, people have used this technique to manufacture keepsakes, embellish journals, and even create original artwork.

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    Funding has been provided to the Fort Bend History Association from Humanities Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020.
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