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    Home » DIY Projects

    How to Make a Flower Press for Travel

    June 20, 2023 by Patti Estep 6 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Whimsical flower fabric print on a flower press book with scissors and press flowers and leaves scattered around it.
    Flower press book over an inside page showing flowers.

    This DIY Flower press is convenient and portable, so you can collect beautiful plant specimens where ever you go.

    Flower press travel book, scissors and pressed flowers scattered on the table.

    I've always loved the outdoors. Sometimes when we are out on a hike, I like to take a sample of a wildflower to take back home. However, it doesn't keep well, so I thought it would be fun to create a flower press, that could easily be packed in a suitcase or backpack.

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    Flower press supplies

    DIY Flower Press Supplies

    • 2 Basswood pieces for the cover - approx. 8 x 12 inches
    • 8 sheets of corrugated cardboard the same size or slightly smaller than the basswood.
    • 14 or more sheets of newsprint or blotter paper 
    • fabric to cover the outside (approx. 12 inches x 24 inches)
    • 2 - 24 inch lengths of cotton twill tape
    • 2 - 1 inch D rings
    • 2 - 3.5  inch lengths of 3/4 inch velcro

    Don't be tempted to use paper towels. Newsprint is absorbent, holds up well, and will not leave any marks on your flowers like paper towels.

    Cover wood with fabric.

     Start by placing the fabric on the cover, centering the pattern where you like best.

    Gluing fabric to wood.

    Cut and tear the excess off leaving an inch or so and glue the fabric to the wood. I used Mod Podge because I always have plenty of it around but you could use white glue or fabric glue. I placed some Mod Podge on the wood first and applied an additional layer of glue on top for extra staying power on the inside. I only used the glue on the wood for the outer cover, but you could go over it with Mod Podge too.

    Fabric cover for flower press

    Place layers of cardboard sheets with two pieces of newsprint in between each layer, between the wooden cover pieces. Then wrap the fabric around the entire piece and glue the back the same way you glued the front.

    D ring straps

    Next attach the D rings to the straps with glue, or by using a sewing machine. I stitched mine in a square for extra support.

    Straps with velcro

    Position the straps around the book and add the velcro strips as shown above.

    Glue straps to the spine.

    Finally, glue the straps to the spine using fabric glue. This will keep them in place, but also allow you to pull them tight through the D rings to maintain a snug book.

    Fresh flowers in flower press book.

    How to Use the Flower Press

    Gather your flower blooms, petals, and leaves. The easiest flowers to press are naturally flat blooms such as single-petal roses, daisies, violets, Queen Anne’s lace, or pansies. Ferns and herbs are also a great choice. Large flowers and bulky flowers such as carnations take forever to press and often don't look good pressed.

    Place flowers and stems in between 2 pieces of newsprint within two pieces of cardboard and carefully close the press.

    Pull the straps tightly through the D rings and secure them to the Velcro.

    Pressed flowers after 3 days.

    Here's how they look after only 3 days in the flower press.

    Portable travel flower press

    This basic tutorial can be adapted to any size flower press you like. 

    You don't have to cover the book with fabric. If you prefer a natural look you could brush on a coat of wax, paint the wood, or burn a pretty pattern into the cover.

    Get creative and make it your own. I know that you will love the final outcome.

    Patti signature

    More Pressed Flower Crafts

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    Modern floral fabric covered flower press book with canvas tape enclosure.
    Portable flower press book.
    Print
    4.50 from 2 votes

    Flower Press DIY For Travel

    Collect beautiful plant specimens wherever you go with this DIY flower press.
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Active Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 1 Flower Press
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $25

    Equipment

    • VELCRO Brand - Sticky Back Hook and Loop Fasteners | Perfect for Home or Office | 3 1/2in x 3/4in Strips | Pack of 4 | White (VEL90076)
    • Dritz 117-1-1 D-Rings, Black, 1-Inch 4-Count
    • ZipperStop Wholesale Authorized Distributor SCHIFF RIBBONS 1" Cotton Twill Tape - White - 15 Yards~Made in USA
    • School Smart - 85250 Newsprint Drawing Paper, 30 lb, 8-1/2 x 11 Inches, 500 Sheets
    • Mod Podge CS11302 Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish, 16 oz, Matte

    Materials

    • 2 Basswood pieces for the cover - approx. 8 x 12 inches
    • 8 sheets of corrugated cardboard
    • 14 or more sheets of newsprint or blotter paper
    • fabric to cover the outside approx. 12 inches x 24 inches
    • 2 - 24 inch lengths of cotton twill tape
    • 2 - 1 inch D rings
    • 2 - 3.5 inch lengths of 3/4 inch velcro

    Instructions

    • Place fabric on the cover, centering the pattern where you like best.
    • Cut and tear the excess off leaving an inch or so.
    • Glue the fabric to the wood.
    • Place some Mod Podge on the wood first.
    • Apply an additional layer of glue on top.
    • Place the cardboard sheets with two pieces of newsprint in between each layer, between the wooden cover pieces.
    • Wrap the fabric around the entire piece.
    • Glue the back the same way you glued the front.
    • Attach the D rings to the straps with glue.
    • Position the straps around the book.
    • Add the velcro strips.
    • Glue the straps to the spine using fabric glue.

    Notes

    You can also use plywood for your pieces of wood to create the cover.
    The easiest flowers to press are naturally flat blooms such as single-petal roses, daisies, violets, Queen Anne’s lace, or pansies. Ferns and herbs are also a great choice.
    Large flowers and bulky flowers such as carnations take forever to press and often don't look good pressed.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melanie

      March 01, 2021 at 9:01 am

      Hi Patty,
      Great craft! Did you use the bass wood for strength and/or is it necessary to the drying process? Could matt board or very dense cardboard be substituted?

      Thank you

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 01, 2021 at 10:29 am

        Melanie, I just used it for the support you can certainly try cardboard instead.

        Reply
    2. Julie Briones

      July 20, 2018 at 2:00 am

      What a simple, yet brilliant idea! This is wonderful for those of us who want to take a little nature home with us! Pinned, Patti!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 20, 2018 at 6:46 am

        Thanks Julie. I'm glad you like it!

        Reply
    3. Carole West, Garden Up Green

      July 12, 2018 at 8:17 am

      What a fun idea - I love gathering little stems of wonderful when I'm out and about. My next day off is Wednesday and I may have to acquire a spot in my afternoon to make this. In the meantime I shall gather everything to make it.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 13, 2018 at 6:52 am

        Thanks Carole. I know you will have fun and make a beautiful flower press.

        Reply

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