There are many fun ways to up-cycle vintage linen, and some linen fabrics and types can need more creativity to work with. With this simple lavender sachet, you can up-cycle either a small piece of vintage linen from a larger project, or a smaller vintage linen piece that the sachet size can highlight.
There are many small 100% linen items that are vintage, that you can find at second hand stores, thrift stores, or at flea markets or yard sales. One item that makes great lavender sachets is vintage linen handkerchiefs. These often are a finer and softer linen fabric, with very nice embroidery and other designs on one corner or around the edges of the fabric. An herbal sachet or dream pillow is a great way to preserve and continue to use these highly decorated pieces.
If you are up-cycling larger vintage linens, like tablecloths or bed sheets, smaller scraps from trimming and cutting out patterns can also make great starting pieces for simple, non-decorative lavender sachets if desired. If you want to get started with up-cycling vintage linens, this post, can give you a good starting point too.
Lavender was traditionally used to help keep bugs and moths out of drawers, the closet, and chests where linens or woolen garments were stored. If you use woolen socks, then a lavender sachet in the sock drawer can help repel moths too. If you are allergic to lavender, substitute dried rose petals, dried mint leaves, or cedar-wood shavings in the filling to get the same bug repellent benefits without it being an allergen. The lavender buds are fragrant from the natural lavender essential oils, you do not need to use oils to make a lavender sachet.
At this time of year, late July, lavender is ready to be harvested. So it’s a good time to harvest and dry your lavender blossoms, and give your lavender plants a loving hair cut. Once the lavender spikes are dry, you can strip off the blossoms for use in this sachet, or any other lavender use you desire. Lavender infused honey is delicious!
Sewing a Lavender Sachet:
- Start by choosing your piece of linen. If you’re using scraps from another vintage linen upcycling project, trim the scraps to be an even square or rectangle. Make sure you have two approximately the same size pieces. If you’re working with a handkerchief, or smaller, highly decorated linen piece, look at the decoration and edgings to decide how you want to proceed.
If you’re working with a linen piece, like a handkerchief, that has a lace edging, plan to sew the sachet with wrong sides together, as a top stitch. This preserves the lace edging and keeps it visible on the outside of the sachet. If you’re just sewing a piece with embroidery, then a standard right sides together interior seam will work. Note: If you don’t have linen fabric or linen scraps, simply use another piece of up-cycled or scrap fabric for your first lavender sachet.
2. Press the linen with a hot iron, and figure out where your seams will go. Pin the pieces together, either right sides together.
3. Set up your sewing machine. A lavender sachet can also be hand stitched.
4. Start sewing and sew seams on three sides. Leave one side open. If your using a folded piece for a sachet, sew two of the open sides closed.
5. Turn the sachet right side out.
6. Spoon 2-6 tablespoons of dried lavender into the sachet, you can also add a bit of fiber fill if desired for a fluffier, pillow-like texture. Use rose if you’re allergic to lavender.
7. Hand stitch the open edge closed, use a hidden stitch to make it match the other edges.
8. Tie off your thread, pat the sachet to evenly distribute the filling.
9. Place your handmade lavender sachet into your drawer, underwear drawer, linen chest, or wherever you planned on using it. Or even tuck it inside your pillow for more night time relaxation.
How Long will a Lavender Sachet Last?
A lavender sachet will still have scent, when lightly crushed, for up to 5 years. For highest effect, and best scent, lavender sachets can be refreshed every three to five years. I’ve had lavender sachets that lasted for seven years, but the scent became very faint and it needed aggressive crushing to stimulate a fresh smell. The longevity of the scent is about the same for dried rose petals, and for cedar wood shavings.
How do I refresh a Lavender Sachet?
Remember which side was your hand-stitched side of the sachet, and simply unpick the sewing. Then, dump out the old lavender to your compost pile, and add fresh lavender blossoms. Then re-stitch the opening closed and enjoy your renewed lavender fragrance. The linen itself won’t wear out when being used as a sachet, and you can get many years of use, and refreshing, from one linen lavender sachet.
Can I Dry My Own Lavender?
Yep, you can dry your own lavender blooms, simply harvest the lavender spikes and bundle them in bundles about the diameter of a quarter. Hang in a well-ventilated, dry, space for 2-3 weeks. When the buds are dry, they will have a slight silvery tone to the purple or blueish lavender shade. Strip from the stems by hand, and use the dry, loose, flower buds for filling your small sachet.
Other Uses of Lavender Sachets:
The finished sachets can be used for gifts, if you already have enough lavender sachets in your home. For a more decorative sachet, use a heavily embroidered piece of vintage linen, and add ribbons as a hanger. Then the sachet can be hung in a closet or on a door knob.
Alternatively, you can pair other herbs with lavender. I’ve already mentioned lavender and rose go well together, but lavender and rosemary can also be a sweet pairing. Use your favorite herbs and explore other combinations to make more perfect gifts. Or pair a sleep pillow style sachet with some bath tea for more herbal relaxation power.
Lavender sachets make good small gifts for mother’s day or teacher appreciation, Christmas, and other small gathering or events. Just make sure your giftee isn’t allergic to lavender first. For a more personal gift, using small pieces of fabric with sentimental connotations can also be done, in the name of up-cycling and preserving memories. Just keep out of direct sunlight if you’re using sentimental fabrics that could fade or sun bleach.
Back to You:
What’s your favorite fabric combo for homemade lavender sachets? What up-cycled fabrics do you enjoy working with or experimenting with?
Leave a comment, we love to hear from you!
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