Yesterday I made these very sweet and simple lavender sachets for Mother's Day gifts, and thought I'd pass on the instructions to you!
Here is a simplified version of the instructions; I took probably 50 pictures while I was making the pouches, but didn't want to post that many to my blog. I'm hoping to make a much more detailed pdf file available soon! I've uploaded small images, but you can simply click on them to enlarge them if you'd like. Also, I want you to know I am NOT a seamstress. I have very limited sewing skills, and you certainly don't need a sewing machine to make this, though I used one. It won't take you much time at all to complete. And, lastly, I don't recommend washing these as I'm unsure how well the plant dyes will hold up.
Please be aware that some steps require the use of dangerous materials, such as a mallet or scissors. Please use caution and common sense, especially if doing this project with children.
Speaking of children, this is certainly something they can help with! Smaller children can help pick flowers and leaves, and fill the sachet insert with lavender. Older children with some minor sewing skills can help complete the rest of the project. But keep this away from young children, as there are small parts.
Now, to start, you'll first need a rubber mallet and two pieces of muslin. This will be for part of the decorative pouch the sachet will be inserted into. You can cut them any size you like; I didn't use a pattern for any part of this. My pouches are between 4 and 6 inches in size, but you can certainly make yours smaller or larger as pleases you.
Next you will need flowers and leaves. You'll be actually transferring the natural dyes in these onto the fabric with the use of a rubber mallet; no paint required! Some work better than others, and you may want to do a test piece first to make sure the colors of the plant will transfer nicely when you pound them into the fabric. For the flowers, I find it's best to remove the petals and individually place them on the fabric in the proper shape. For leaves, remove the thick part where the stem meets the leaf. Place the first piece of muslin somewhere that can withstand alot of pounding, like concrete, and arrange the flowers and leaves on the first piece of muslin. Sometimes the dyes can seep through the fabric when you're pounding, so if you don't want a stain on your work surface you may want to put down an old towel or scrap piece of fabric first to protect it.
Place your second piece of muslin down over the top of the first. Now here's where you have to be especially careful - pound the muslin with your rubber mallet. You may want to tape the pieces to the ground first; I used my hands to steady the top piece from dancing around from the mallet blows, and my poor finger got in the way...it was not a pretty sight. I had no idea a rubber mallet could do quite so much damage. So please be careful!
This part can also be a GREAT stress reliever!:
After you've pounded every inch of your fabric with the rubber mallet (now don't you feel better?), peel your pieces of muslin apart, and you should see something similar to this. If both pieces have a good impression you can actually make 2 pouches:
Now it's time to peel or rub off any plant and flower pieces that were smashed into the fabric. If you use your fingers make sure to wash them really well afterward:
Cut a piece of decorative fabric for the back of your pouch. At the same time you can trim your front piece of any raw or uneven edges. Now you have a front and a back of identical size:
Fold down toward the wrong side of the fabric the top edge of each piece a quarter inch and pin in place to hem. On the back piece slip the raw edges of a looped ribbon under the hem, then fold it up and over so it sticks straight up and pin securely in place. Then stitch each piece across the pinned hem:
Place the two pices of your pouch right sides together, then pin and sew around the bottom three sides with a quarter inch seam allowance. Turn right side out through the open top:
Time to choose a button for the front! Here is my great-grandmother's buttons; it was hard to choose just the right one, much like a treasure hunt:
Hand-sew the button of your choice to the front of the pouch, positioned so you can slip the ribbon over it to hold it closed:
Cut two pieces of a light colored fabric just slightly smaller than your decorative pouch with pinking shears for the sachet insert:
Pin and sew three sides with wrong sides together (you won't be turning this; there's no need to with the pinked edges). Leave a quarter inch seam allowance and keep the top open to stuff with your lavender:
Fill the sachet about two-thirds of the way with dried lavender. This batch is from my garden:
Pin the open end closed and run through your sewing machine:
Slip the sachet into the decorative pouch:
Ta-da! Here is the finished product, smelling sweet and ready to bring lovely dreams:
If you make one yourself I'd love to see pictures! Just post the link in the "Comments" section of this post.
Thanks for visiting!
