How to Make Pressed Flower Vases

Learn how easy it is to make these beautiful pressed flower vases with plants from your own backyard. A fun activity for the whole family.

All the hydrangeas are in bloom and I thought this was a good time to press some for future crafting.  I always press my flowers and other plant material in a large phone book or in the little travel flower press I made.

However, I've read where some people actually iron their flowers for a quick version of pressed flowers.  So I thought I'd try it on this pressed flower vases project.

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Supplies for Pressed Flower Vases

Fresh and dried flowers or leaves
Glass vases
Mod Podge
Sponge paintbrush

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How to Press Flowers

3 Methods for Pressing flowers 

1. Traditional book or flower press method - This is my tried and true method but it takes a few weeks before the flowers dry fully.
2. Microwave Method - I have not tried this one. I'll have to try it next. In the meantime, here's a quick video about using a microwave to press flowers.
3. Ironing - This is the one I am trying today. It seemed a little too good to be true, however, if you are in a hurry it works to some degree.

Here's my experience with the ironing method. I placed some fresh flowers between some absorbent newsprint paper and used an iron to press them. Some turned brown and basically lost their color. Others pressed well but seemed fragile like they just weren't dry enough. I let them sit overnight and that helped. Maybe I just need some practice.

For the pressed flower vases I ended up using some of the ironed pressed flowers and some from my own traditional pressed flower stash.

You can always buy pressed flowers online too.

How to Make Pressed Flower Vases

Start by coating the outside of a vase with Mod Podge. I made three vases and coated them at three varying heights. In hindsight, I think it would have looked better if I taped off the glass for a cleaner line.

Next, carefully add your pressed flowers.

Follow with another layer of Mod Podge. This is a little tricky as the flowers are delicate. I ended up using a pouncing method with my sponge brush to carefully coat the flowers.

Here they are before the Mod Podge has finished drying. The vase on the right was created with some of the hydrangea blooms I ironed. BTW, they still look good a few weeks later. 

Tip: A little nail polish remover and a Qtip works great for cleaning up excess glue.

Here's the final look. You can see the Mod Podge on the glass but I kind of like it. It reminds me of old fashioned seeded glass. In fact, I think it might have been better to coat the entire vase.

I have them sitting on the window in my office. Such a cheery sight to see.

P.S. I confess that I'm obsessed with pressed flowers. Recently I made Pressed Flower Wax Sachets that were beautiful and fragrant. Here's a roundup of some of my other favorite Pressed Flower Crafts. You can find them and more on my DIY Projects Page.

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