How to Make Elegant & Simple Sachets

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Things You'll Need

  • Luxury fabric

  • Thread

  • Needles

  • Scissors

  • Iron and ironing board

  • Stuffing (kapok, cotton or polyester)

  • Essential oils

A sachet is a small pouch of fabric filled with scented stuffing or herbs. They make great gifts for children to make for grandmothers, teachers or aunts, or they can be embellished elaborately for more elegant gifts for brides or other special women. Traditionally, sachets are kept in drawers with lingerie, scarves or other fine linens. If you attach a loop to them, you can hang them over a hanger or doorknob to scent a closet. Some herbs can help prevent moths in fine wools.

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Making the Sachet

Step 1

Cut two pieces of fabric into 4-inch squares. Use matching fabrics, or mix and match different fabrics.

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Step 2

With right sides together, sew the fabrics together on 3 sides with needle and thread, using a small running stitch. With this stitch, you go through the fabric in one direction and come up again in the other direction a short (1/8 inch, in this case) distance away. Make the stitches the same size, and keep them in a straight line. Sew about 1/2 inch away from the edges of the fabric. (See Resources for a picture of a running stitch.)

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Step 3

Turn the sachet right-side out. Using an iron set to the appropriate heat setting for the fabric, carefully iron the sachet so the edges are nice and crisply folded. Turn the open edge under 1/2 inch and press.

Step 4

Fill the sachet with stuffing, but don't over-fill. Remove the stuffing, and sprinkle a few drops of essential oil into the middle of the stuffing. Put the stuffing back into the sachet.

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Step 5

Using a small overcast stitch, sew the open edge together. With an overcast stitch, you come up from the bottom through both pieces of fabric, carry the thread to the bottom, then come up again. Keep these stitches tiny and close to the edge for the most attractive edge. (See Resources for a picture of an overcast stitch.)

Tip

For alternate stuffings, lavender and eucalyptus are natural pest repellents. Instead of using fiber stuffings, stuff the sachet with lavender buds or eucalyptus leaves before sewing shut. Add a small loop of ribbon to the sachet so it can be hung from a hanger or doorknob. If desired, decorate the sachet with embroidery, ribbons, sequins, buttons, lace or other embellishments. Make circular sachets by using a compass to make fabric circles about 4 inches across. Sew around the circle, leaving an opening about 2 inches long for stuffing. Sachets can be made on a sewing machine by adults or older children. They are, however, excellent first projects for children learning to sew by hand.

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