How to Make a Sachet

Sachets are fabric bags that are filled with potpourri and tied off with ribbons. They can be placed in clothing drawers, hung in closets or given as gifts. Fill them with potpourri you buy at the store or potpourri that you make yourself.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Narrow Ribbons
• Fabric Chalks
• Fabric-marking Pens
• Fabrics
• Ironing Boards
• Irons
• Potpourri
• Sewing Machine
• Threads
• Decorative Charms
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Heavy Paper Or Cardboard
• Ruler Or Yardsticks

1. Decide what size your sachet will be and what fabric you will use.

2. Choose a ribbon that coordinates with the fabric. A ribbon that is 1/4 inch wide or narrower works best. You'll need approximately 1/4 yard of ribbon for each sachet.

3. Make or purchase potpourri. Many different blends are readily available. Choose your favorite.

4. 

   Use a yardstick or ruler to measure out a strip of fabric 10 1/2 inches by 3 1/4 inches. Cut out the strip.

5. 

   Fold in the raw short edges, toward the wrong side of the fabric, approximately 1/4 inch.

6. 

   Iron to hold the edges in place. Use a sewing machine to stitch turned-under edges into place. Repeat, turning the short edges in 1/4 inch more.

7. 

   Fold the fabric strip in half, right sides together. Stitch a seam on each side of the bag, 1/4 inch from the raw edges.

8. 

   Turn the bag right side out and fill it one-half to three-quarters full with potpourri.

9. 

   Tie the bag closed with ribbon. Avoid knotting the ribbon. These bags are made to be opened and refilled when necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Look through your scrap fabric before you purchase fabric for your sachets. You might find something you can use.
• Choose a fabric that reflects the season. If your sachet is to be given as a spring gift, choose a pastel solid or print. For winter holiday gifts, choose one of the many available holiday prints.
• Look for potpourri blends that reflect the time of year. For example, if your sachet is to be given as a winter holiday gift, choose a blend that contains cinnamon or other spices associated with the season.
• Make a template, or pattern, for your sachet out of heavy paper or cardboard. Place the template onto the wrong side of the fabric and trace around the edges with a fabric marking pen or chalk. If you are making many sachets at once, this method will eliminate the need to remeasure each strip of fabric.
• Avoid potpourri that contains an excessive amount of oil. Depending on the type of fabric used, you might end up with an oil spot on your bag. To test, take a piece of your chosen fabric and place the potpourri on it for about 2 hours, then check for any spotting. You may need to choose a heavier fabric or a different blend of potpourri.
• Embroider initials onto the bag or slip a decorative charm onto the ribbon to add a special touch.

[eggerist]

on 3/16/2009 great visuals

[lambstail]

on 8/11/2007 If you're not too good with the sewing machine, you can purchase a small purse from a discount shop. Make sure the purse has a zip and is made of a breathable material to allow the fragrance to pass through.

You can pile 3 or 4 purses on top of each and cover with celophane. Finish it off with a ribbon and it makes a nice gift.

on 1/5/2006 Depending on the size you want, you will need:
Various potpourris you like. Sachets are normally made from the crumbs in potpourri mixes, or dust. But, you can also use cotton balls with essential oils or scented oils on them (make sure the cotton balls are cotton and not synthetic).
Small rubber bands.
Ribbon.
Scented oils.
Essential oils (if you use pure essential oils, mix them with a carrier oil). Grapeseed, vitamin E, canola oils equal parts will work for this.
Use infant to adolescent size socks. They usually come in sets of more than one, plus in a variety of patterns and styles. And they are seasonally patterned. You can also find them at discount stores, dollar stores, outlets and such.

The easiest way I've found to fill the smaller socks is to put them in a small glass. Pick the size of the glass based on the size of the sock, and fold them over the edge and then fill with a small scoop or spoon.

If you are using cotton balls, fill most of the sock with unscented balls, then put the one with the scent in the middle, surrounding it with the plain ones. This prevents the oils from coming in contact with the sock material and possibly staining it.

After you have the socks filled, (1/2 to 3/4 full) pull them out of the glass, twist them just above where you have filled and wrap a rubberband around it. Take your ribbon and tie it and decorate it as you want just below or above the rubberband. I usually try for below, but whatever is easier.

Cut the rubberband off. Store similar sachets, if you are doing a lot for gifts and such in separate containers.

on 11/22/2005 If you don't care how your sachet looks, there's a really easy, no-sew way to make one. Take an old CLEAN sock and stuff it from the toe to three-quarters of the way to the heel with potpourri (I recommend you use a men's tube sock for this). Tie a knot in the sock, staple it, or use a rubberband to close it off. Ta-da, instant sachet. Not pretty, but very easy.