How to Iron Leaves

Use a dry iron, with the steam setting off.

Smoothing out wrinkled clothes is not the only use for an iron. Break out the iron for various craft projects including ironing designs onto fabric. If you have ever wanted to preserve the color of the fall season or bring more nature into your home, gather some leaves and pull out the ironing board. Ironing leaves just takes a few steps, and before you know it, you will have elements of nature inside your home.

Things You'll Need

• Iron
• Ironing board
• Wax paper
• Kitchen towel
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Turn on a dry iron and set it to medium. Set up your ironing board.

2. Place a leaf between two sheets of wax paper and position the paper so it is flat on the board.

3. Cover the wax paper with a towel.

4. Iron the towel to heat the wax paper underneath. Move the iron around much like you were ironing a piece of clothing, to make sure that the wax around the leaf is being melted. Do this for two to five minutes.

5. Remove the towel and flip the leaf and wax paper over. Replace the towel and iron the other side for an additional two to five minutes.

6. Let the wax paper cool completely.

7. Trim around the leaf, leaving a wax paper border to seal in the leaf. Or, carefully remove each side of the wax paper so you are left with a leaf covered in wax but not covered in paper.

References

• Kaboose: Pressed Leaves Place Mat (Version 2)
• Home Science Tools: Preserving Leaves: Wax Paper Pressing
• Parenting Toddlers: Leaf Craft: Pressed Leaves