Pressed and preserved leaves are excellent for decorating mantles , using as centerpieces, and more. There are five basic leaf preservation methods to choose from—all of them easy. Pressing and preserving fall leaves works best when the leaves have just fallen from the tree, but before they have dried up and begun to curl.
The leaves will shed at different times depending on the tree species and the fall weather pattern, so be prepared to jump into action when the time is right. Regardless of the preservation method you choose, it's important to select the right type of leaf. Pressing leaves with weight is the simplest method of saving fall leaves , but the leaves won't last as long as other preservation methods. If you would like a more supple pressed leaf, soak the leaf in diluted fabric softener before pressing.
Or you can coat the surface of the leaf with a light layer of petroleum jelly prior to pressing. Sandwich the leaves between sheets of wax paper or newspaper.
Place the sandwiched leaves inside a heavy book. You can stack other books or heavy objects on top to add more weight, if necessary. Keep the book in a dry location.
Check the pressing after about a week to make sure the leaves are drying and not rotting. You will probably need to press for at least two weeks before the leaves are completely dry. Using wax paper to preserve leaves is a popular and simple method, and these leaves will last for several months.
You'll need a clothes iron and ironing board for this method. Choose thin leaves with a low moisture content—leaves that have already partly dried out will work well. Sandwich the leaves between two sheets of wax paper. Cover an ironing board with a rag so you don't get wax on the board, then place the sandwiched leaves on top of the rag. Place another rag on top of the sandwiched leaves. Heat the iron HIGH do not use the steam setting. Slowly run the iron back and forth over the rag.
Don't press too hard, or the leaves will shift. Once the wax paper has begun to seal, use the full weight of the iron and hold it for about 5 seconds on each part of the paper. Check to see whether the wax paper sheets have fully melted together and sealed the leaves. If they haven't, iron for slightly longer. Allow the wax paper sit until it is cool to the touch.
Then, cut out the individual leaves. Leave a small margin around the leaves, so the wax paper stays sealed. Take a good look at any leaves that the insects have been munching, or leaves that have lain for a long time - these can end up as beautiful leaf skeletons. You can use leaves of any age or maturity.
In general, the drier and older the leaves, the more the colours will have faded. Flatter leaves are easier to press.
Try and avoid leaves that have curled. Some leaves have spots or bumps, making them harder to press. Drier leaves press well, so try and avoid going leaf hunting just after its been raining, and dry your leaves out before you press them.
Keep them out of direct sunlight to avoid fading, and away from moisture to prevent mold. Use books or weights as a press Image by Rawpixel via Unsplash Pressing leaves with a weight is the simplest method.
Take a piece of paper, and fold it in half. Arrange your leaves on one side of the paper, then close the fold, sandwiching your leaves between the halves. Place the folded card in the pages of your pressing book, and add books on top to weigh it down.
Try not to let leaves overlap - when they dry, you want to see all of the intricate veins and patterns. Keep stems out of the way, as they can stain. Time to create Image by Chris Lawton via Unsplash Your dried and pressed leaves should be ready in anything from a few days to a couple of weeks. Here are some of our favourites: Make awesome autumn collages. Create posters or wall hangings for your bedroom. Decorate windows and doors. Personalise your Christmas gift wrapping.
Pressed leaves look beautiful spread out across a bookshelf. I am interested in preserving green leaves. I only need mine to last in color for a little over 2 months. What do you think? Would the paint protect them? I just spray painted some dry, pressed oak leaves white. Then drew three ghost faces with a Sharpie on the center upper lobe of the leaf.
Just three dots, really. Got the idea from a recent issue of Good Housekeeping Sept-Oct. Added the ghost leaves to a fall wreath. I used a furniture polish spray after pressing the leaves.
I would leave the spray on for a few minutes, wipe with a paper towel, then repeat with the other side. The results were amazing. After years, the reds would darken and the wax residue would break down a bit, but the longer you leave them alone, the longer they looked good. Especially with a white-walled background, or blue, grey, and green walls.
I gave a lot away as gifts, for I was a leaf hoarder, LOL. I collect books and I only had a dozen out of books free of leaves. Hi, great post! I live in a tropical island and there is no autumn, so it is a struggle to find nice colors. I only use the pressing method but with several months of waiting, always trying to get the final color of each leaf because I gave up trying to preserve the original one. It seems impossible!
In my recent investigations I read that an epoxy resin coat could work. May you experiment with that too and add the results to the post? It would be very helpful! For me is impossible right now. To preserve the lovely ratio of leaf to stem, only cut a tiny bit of the stem before immersing in gylcerine solution.
These methods were shown on the video with only short term outcomes. Thanks for making the video though! I use PVAglue but first dry the leaves in the microwave between absorbant kitchen paper. After a night drying the glue, you can easily do things with the leaf, like embroidering. Thank you for such an interesting article! It is in the rare shape of a lovely heart even with the stem remaining although it is more dead than alive as it is a gold color.
I just love it and would love to preserve it but afraid to iron or put any pressure on it as the leaf is a little stiff and also has a little curl on the edges.
Do you think I could just put it in an air tight show box. I am a novice at this. I have to confess it is really hard to keep the colour of leaves — especially those bright golden and bright reds! Even with the methods above, they will dull over time. I think your best bet would be laminate it though it may squish a little or dip it in wax? I found a 5 leaf clover in my yard and I was very excited to preserve it.
After the requisite 5 day soak, my 5 leaf clover looked like a small, horribly rotted lump of spinach. I use the dip in melted wax method.
In fact, just got the ones out that we dipped a few years ago, for our autumn display. The colours do keep. I use bees wax and the smell just adds to it.
I thought about collecting them New and preserving them until December. What would you recommend? I just want to stop them drying out. The kids will paint the leaves and print into paper.
Unless I find a more exciting alternative in the meantime!
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