How to Make a Pressed Fern Wall Hanging

Frame attractive fern fronds for a decorative botanical touch.

Children of all ages can collect and preserve pretty flowers and unusual leaves by pressing them between the pages of a book. Use that same technique to create artwork for your home by making a pressed fern wall hanging. Your own hanging plants or fronds from a neighborhood bush can offer the materials for a botanical wall hanging for your living room, bedroom or hall. Change the style by switching up the backing paper and you'll go from antique to feminine in seconds.

Things You'll Need

• Fern fronds
• Phone book
• Heavy hardcover books
• Craft paper, parchment or wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• Picture frame with glass

Instructions

1. Break off fern fronds near the base of their stems. Choose fronds about 12 inches long.

2. Open a phone book to a page near the middle. Lay a fern frond on the bottom page. Arrange the leave in an attractive manner by slightly bending the stem or separating individual leaves.

3. Close the phone book. Place two or three heavy hardcover books on top of the phone book. Leave the books and fern frond alone to dry for at least one week. Check the fern after one week. If the leaves are dry and brittle, the frond is done. If they are still pliable, dry them for another few days.

4. Cut backing paper to fit inside the picture frame. Use off-white parchment for a classic botanical look, a dark brown for a masculine feel or lacy paper for a more feminine touch.

5. Lay the dried fern frond on top of the paper at an attractive angle. Use a small amount of craft glue to hold the fern in place. Allow the glue to dry completely.

6. Open the back of the picture frame. Place the paper with the frond on top of the frame backing. Reassemble the frame with the fern and paper inside and close the fasteners on the back.

References

• Old House, Old Garden; Fern Mania; Michael Weishan; July 9, 2009