General Directions
1. Allow about two weeks for most materials to dry.2. Watch timing. Unless otherwise specified, gather materials just as they become mature.
3. Work on a warm, sunshiny day, as plants should be gathered dry. Hydrangeas are an exception. They should be cut in the cool weather of September or October. Some flowers, especially pomegranate buds, yarrow, and ageratum, hold color better if placed with stems in water for a day or two before drying.
4. Strip foliage from all flowers to be dried, except pasture thistles.
5. Let dehydration take place as quickly as possible. A dim attic with a free circulation of air is best for this purpose, but a dark closet will do. Basements are usually too damp.
6. To allow for shrinkage dry about twice as much as you think you will need.
7. With design in mind, develop the lines and curves you want in Scotch broom, Chinese lanterns, Mexican morning-glory pods, roses, peonies, oriental-poppy seed heads, and crape-myrtle sprays. Wire or bind with string to a coat hanger and then bend the hanger, since this determines shape.
If you have neglected to do this, place already dried materials, such as liatris and snapdragon stalks or pussy willow, lengthwise in a large pan and soak them for about thirty minutes in warm water. Then shape them to your liking, and dry. Although they are very stiff when first dried, water will soften them so curves can be established.
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Home > Crafts > Dried Flower Arranging > Techniques Of Drying, Pressing, Skeletonizing > General Directions
January 7, 2009