Learn how to make dried flower crafts for decor or gifts! Here are over 20+ ideas you’re going to love, perfect for beginning crafters. Grab your pressed flowers and check out these projects.
My mom has always been a big gardener, so my siblings learned how to press and dry flowers at a young age. We also canned, dehydrated, and did all sorts of other hippie late 70s and early 80s things! That part of childhood was really fun.
Once you dry flowers – what are you supposed to do with them? Well, the good news is that you can make things. A bunch of things! And I’m excited to share those things with you here.
Pressing and Preserving Flowers
Before we jump into the projects, I did want to answer a few frequently asked questions about dried flower crafts. If you just want the ideas, scroll past this section. Otherwise, here’s a little education for you!
How do you dry flowers at home?
There are several methods to press and/or dry flowers. None of them are necessarily better than others. It’s really about what you want to do:
- Wooden flower press – two pieces of wood screwed together at all four corners
- Between the pages of books – place flowers in the pages of books, close and weight down for several weeks
- Hanging – Find a dark, dry area with good circulation and hang the flowers upside down. Leave flowers for two to three weeks until completely dry
- Ironing – flatten between parchment paper and press with a dry, hot iron
- Microwave – flowers stay between two ceramic tiles held together with rubber bands
- Flower drying crystals – place in the silica gel for 3 – 7 days
If I were going to select a method, it would depend on what I was doing. If I need the flowers flat for my project, I’d use the books method.
If I want the flowers to be dimensional and in tact (to make a wreath, for example), I’d use the hanging or crystal drying. Don’t be afraid to try them all and see what works best for you!
How do you dry flowers and keep their color?
You can’t. Flowers are going to do what they are going to do. You can’t really tell what colors you’re going to end up with when preserving flowers.
One strategy some use is to cut the flowers before they fully bloom, and that helps. But flowers will not retain their original color when you press and dry them.
Ready to dive into the dried flower crafts? Check out the projects below and let me know which are your favorite in the comments!
Dried Flower Crafts
Learn how to make crafts using dried flowers! Here are some great ideas you're going to love for DIY home decor or gifts.
DIY Pressed Flowers with Mod Podge
Make art using DIY pressed flowers and Mod Podge! It’s easy to dry flowers and preserve them in a frame – this tutorial shows you how.
How to Make A Dried Hydrangea Wreath
Learn how to make a wreath with dried hydrangeas and other preserved flowers. This is such a beautiful way to display these unique blooms in your home!
How To Make Dried Flower Candles
These gorgeous and gift-able dried flower candles bring a little of the outdoors in and will help tide you over during the cooler months ahead.
Japanese Herbarium Bottles
Japanese herbarium bottles are easy to create and make a wonderful decor statement in your home. These pretty dried flowers in oil specimens are also great for gift giving and a nice way to display your floral collection.
DIY Pressed Flower Ornaments
These cute dried floral ornaments are perfect for those petals and leaves that are smaller than the others. Grab those little pieces and make some pretty ornaments to use on a tree or for gifts.
DIY Dried Flower Shadow Box
Erin's husband made this beautiful wall art using a boutonniere he wore on their wedding day! You could put it in a shadowbox just like this, but you can also apply the petals to a canvas with Mod Podge.
Pressed Flower Rocks
This tutorial will teach you how to apply pressed flowers to rocks! It's not as difficult as it sounds and is more forgiving than you might expect.
Flower Petal Candle Holders
Before autumn overtakes your garden, preserve some of the summer memories in the form of dried flower petals. From there you can make these beautiful flower petal candle holders.
DIY Botanical Soap Bars
Preserve your garden's bounty in a clear soap bar! These botanical soap bars are a work of art with flowers, leaves, and herbs. Perfect for handmade gifts.
DIY Dried Flower Monogram
When I first saw this project I assumed the flowers were sewn into the linen. It turns out the tutorial for this project is way easier than that! No embroidery skills required.
How to Make Potpourri with Dried Flowers
Learn how to make potpourri with dried flowers and a few simple ingredients. This is a great way to preserve flowers as a DIY gift idea.
DIY Flower Petal Paper
I made paper in elementary school, but it wasn't necessarily this pretty! Learn how to make dried flower petal homemade paper with this simple tutorial.
DIY Dried Flower Jewelry
If you've ever wondered how to make resin jewelry with dried flowers, this is a simple step-by-step tutorial for making pendants. You can get more resin craft ideas here.
How to Make Bookmarks with Pressed Flowers
Learn how to make pressed flower bookmarks with clear contact paper. This is such a fun, easy, and affordable DIY to do with kids at home!
You can see a version made with Mod Podge here.
Dried Flower Art
Stephanie took a class on pressing flowers and created some beautiful art as a result! You have to see the different versions, including the rainbow one I love pictured here.
DIY Rose Bath Bomb Bars
Amy shows you how to make bath bombs using dried flowers and some other ingredients, plus she offers a free label download! This is a really easy DIY gift idea.
DIY Dried Flower Garland
This dried flower garland is simple. It’s a bit romantic. AND it’s a sweet touch to add in a room to a drapery rod or fireplace! Even better is that you can make it in just a few minutes.
How to Make Wax Melts
Learn how to easily make all-natural wax melts at home using plant-based wax, essential oils, and dried flowers and herbs to make your home smell wonderful.
DIY Dried Flower Bouquet
Learn how to turn dried flowers into a bouquet! You can use your own dried flowers in addition to whatever you like from the craft store. This is also perfect for home decor.
If you enjoyed these crafts with dried flowers, I’d love for you to check out these other posts:
Anna
Friday 19th of August 2022
Lots of brilliant ideas. Question: if my garden has very few flowers where do you suggest I find fresh flowers or dried flowers in bulk
Amy
Friday 19th of August 2022
The craft stores usually have some dried flowers in the floral section, in the jewelry section, or with the resin! I recommend checking there. You can also get dried flowers on Etsy. Or you can buy grocery store flowers when they put them on sale because they don't sell and press them yourself!
Megan
Sunday 6th of March 2022
Amy- Anxiety about doing things right, or step by step can stop me in my tracks. I really appreciate you and your writing style! You inspire me to get moving just by saying "but try it your own way!" or "see what works for you" ... Thank you. Thank you. :-)
Amy
Saturday 12th of March 2022
My pleasure! And I'm all about taking your own journey :)
Jackie
Saturday 12th of February 2022
Wow these look awesome. Lots of ideas that I will use. Thank you so much
Amy
Saturday 12th of February 2022
Thank you for reading!