How to Sew Lavender Sachets for Spring Gifts

Lavender sachets are small fabric pillows filled with dried lavender buds, made to tuck into a drawer, hang in a closet or wrap up as a gift. They are a natural fit for spring sewing and for Mother’s Day, because a set of three takes very little fabric and less than an hour. The sewing is as simple as it gets: three straight seams, a quick turn, and one last line of stitching to close the top.

What You Need

These amounts make a set of three sachets.

• 1/4 yard (0.25 m) of quilting cotton, or scraps that add up to six small rectangles
• About 3/4 cup (roughly 180 ml by volume) of dried lavender buds sold for crafts
• All-purpose polyester thread in a matching color
• A universal 80/12 machine needle
• Fabric scissors, a ruler and a chalk marker
• Pins or sewing clips
• A small bowl and a spoon for filling
• A sheet of paper to roll into a funnel
• An iron, plus a chopstick for the corners

Pick a tightly woven cotton. Lavender buds are tiny, and a loose weave such as gauze lets them work their way out. Quilting cotton is a reliable choice, and the guide on how to choose fabric explains how to judge a weave by eye. Prewash and press the fabric so any sizing or loose dye is gone before it sits against clothing.

Cutting the Pieces

Each sachet needs two rectangles: a front and a back.

The seam allowance is 1/4 inch (0.6 cm). The two side seams take 1/2 inch in total from the 4 inch width. The bottom seam and the folded-in top edge take 1/4 inch each from the 5 inch height. The finished sachet measures 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches (9 x 11.5 cm). If the term is unfamiliar, the seam allowance guide shows how to keep that 1/4 inch even.

Sewing the Sachets Step by Step

1. Pair the rectangles. Place a front and a back right sides together, with the printed sides facing each other. Match the edges and pin or clip. One of the short, 4 inch edges will be the open top, so mark it with a pin as a reminder.
2. Sew three sides. Starting at the top of one long side, backstitch 3-4 stitches and sew 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) from the edge. At the bottom corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, turn the fabric, lower the foot and sew across the bottom. Pivot again and sew up the second long side. Backstitch at the top. Remove pins before they reach the needle.
3. Clip the bottom corners. Snip across the two sewn corners diagonally, a few threads away from the stitching, so they turn out sharp.
4. Turn and press. Turn the little bag right side out and push the corners out with the chopstick. Fold the raw top edge to the inside by 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) all the way around and press it well. The sharper this fold, the neater the closed edge.
5. Fill the sachet. Pour the lavender into the bowl. Roll the paper into a funnel, set it in the opening and spoon in about 1/4 cup of buds, enough to fill the sachet roughly two-thirds full. Leaving some room keeps the buds away from the needle in the next step.
6. Clip the top shut. Shake the lavender down to the bottom. Bring the two folded top edges together so they line up exactly and hold them with two or three clips.
7. Stitch the top closed. Sew across the top about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) from the folded edges, backstitching at both ends. Sew slowly, keep the filling pushed away from the presser foot, and take out the clips as you reach them.
8. Finish. Trim the threads, then shake the sachet so the lavender spreads out evenly.

Getting the Filling Right

Dried lavender for crafts is usually sold as loose buds stripped from the stem. Fresh lavender holds moisture and can turn musty inside fabric, so use only buds that are fully dry.

To make the lavender go further, you can mix it half and half with plain uncooked rice. The rice adds weight and helps the sachet lie flat in a drawer. Keep any sachet with rice in it dry.

The scent fades gradually. Squeezing the sachet gently crushes a few buds and releases more fragrance. When that no longer works, unpick the top stitching, replace the filling, and sew it closed again.

Safety Notes

Some people find strong floral scents irritating, so it is thoughtful to ask before giving sachets to someone with allergies or scent sensitivity. Do not heat the sachets in a microwave or oven. They are made to scent drawers and closets at room temperature only.

Gift Ideas and Variations

A Set of Three

Stack three sachets in coordinating prints and tie them with a ribbon. Light florals, small checks and soft solids all suit a spring gift.

A Hanging Sachet

Cut a 6 inch (15 cm) piece of narrow ribbon and fold it into a loop. Before stitching the top closed, tuck the two cut ends about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) down between the folded edges at the center. The closing stitches catch the ribbon and hold it in place.

A Different Size

For a small square sachet, cut two 4 x 4 1/2 inch (10 x 11.5 cm) pieces. The same seams give a finished 3 1/2 x 4 inch (9 x 10 cm) sachet that needs a little less filling.

If you enjoy small handmade gifts, hand-sewn felt ornaments are a similar quick project for the winter holidays.