Inevitably, at a show or an exhibit I am asked how I get my flowers so perfectly flat and the colors so vibrant. The answer to both questions is the Microfleur!
For years I had been pressing flowers the traditional way: in between absorbent pieces of paper and then put under weight for several weeks. The results were inconsistent but mostly less than terrific. Too often the flowers were a bit wrinkled and lacking in color.
About eleven years ago I was introduced to the Microfleur, a flower press that is put in a microwave oven, and I immediately became hooked. Pressing flowers, ferns, leaves and stems in a microwave with this ingenuous gadget is simple, quick and the results are truly amazing. You simply place the plant material between two cotton liners, two thick wool pads and two ventilated platens. Put on clips to hold together and place in Microwave for seconds. The plant material comes out completely flat, stiff and wrinkle free and the rapid drying keeps the color of flowers so vibrant. Best of all, the plant material is dried and ready to use the same day.
The Microfleur requires no special skills and is good for people ages 6 - 96!
Each Microfleur kit comes complete with:
two hard plastic platens
2 clips for 5 x 5" microfluer; 4 clips for 9 x 9" microfluer
2 wool felt pads
2 fabric liners
a microfleur guide booklet.
To purchase a Microfleur go to Flower Presses on Vermont Pressed Flowers website or order from VTPressedFlowers in my Etsy shop.
Flower pressing is certain to be a success with the Microfleur!
Happy pressing!