Cleaning

DIY Lavender Sachets for Sweet-Smelling Sock Drawers

Plus, they're heatable and freezable to soothe weary backs and necks.

February 23, 2021

As we’re sure you well know, the months of February and March can easily stretch into what feels like a never-ending winter, especially when warm, teasing days poke through just to be dashed by a forecast of snow the next. One way to make them feel instantly less bleak? A breezy little assembly-line craft, and one that’ll (physically) warm your cold, winter hands.

These sweet-smelling handmade sachets are just the thing to spruce up your unmentionables drawer and air out stuffy closets—smaller ones are kind of like boxes of baking soda in their ability to stave off stale odors lingering in last season’s clothes. Not only that, but larger versions can be popped in the microwave for about a minute and act as the world’s best-smelling heating pad for your snow-shovel backache. Come summer, these little guys can also be stashed in the freezer to relieve the back of your neck from sweltering temps, as well as provide gentle cold relief to strained muscles. 

DIY Lavender Sachets by Laura Kaesshaefer

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This meditative project utilizes a mere yard of fabric (which makes about 10 sachets), dried lavender petals, and little else. It's a great way to use up scrap fabric, or a little lavender leftover from a batch of shortbread. In addition to lavender, you can experiment with adding your favorite essential oils, bay leaves, peppercorns, eucalyptus, clove, cinnamon, rosemary—you name it. After extended use (about three months), massage the sachets to release essential oils and ensure a longer-lasting smell. 

So, gather your supplies, pour yourself a glass of wine, and prepare a stack of them to tie up with ribbons as gifts to yourself and others—these little pouches of spring couldn’t be easier. 

What You'll Need:

Dried lavender
Rice (or dried corn or flax seed)
Fabric of your choice
(anything breatheable)
Needle and thread
Scissors   

How to Make Fragrant Sachets:

1. Prep your stuffing. In a bowl, combine two parts lavender with one part rice; this is your sachet filling. The rice offsets the sometimes too-strong smell of the lavender and gives your sachets a little heft. 

DIY Lavender Sachets

2. Prepare squares. Cut two 3 1/2-inch squares of fabric and align them with the sides you like facing inward. You can absolutely adjust this measurement based on the type of finished product you want, like an eye or neck pillow. (You'll be sewing the sachets inside out before finishing.) I used a soft paisley and denim, allowing the finished selvage edge to remain as a little flourish on the fourth side.

DIY Lavender Sachets by Laura Kaesshaefer

3. Hand sew the squares. Use a simple running stitch to hand sew around three of the four sides of your sachet square, about 1/4-inch in from the edge of the fabric. You can even sew most of the fourth side, leaving a few inches open to fit the width of a spoon. Work carefully to ensure the finished pillows are even shapes (you can also pin them in place before beginning). Of course, this sewing project, like many others, is easier with a sewing machine, so if you’ve got one, break it out!

DIY Lavender Sachets by Laura Kaesshaefer  DIY Lavender Sachets by Laura Kaesshaefer

4. Fill them up. Once you're finished sewing, snip the pointed corners to avoid bunching. Turn the pouch inside out so you're left with an empty, nearly fully sewn sachet, and then use a spoon or your palm to stuff the sachet with filling.

DIY Lavender Sachets by Laura Kaesshaefer

6. Sew them up. Fold unsewn fabric sides inward and finish sewing with a blind stitch, or keep the raw edge of the final side exposed like I did—a simple running stitch with a knot will do, in that case. Toss the finished sachets in your sock drawer for a much more refreshing scent when you crack it open in the morning.

DIY Lavender Sachets by Laura Kaesshaefer

This post originally ran last spring, but we figured your sock drawer could use re-freshening.

Photos by James Ransom

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16 Comments

BeckyB December 6, 2023
I think you may have meant two parts rice and one part lavender?
 
caz M. May 22, 2021
Being country raised, we tended to make a lot of these............. it was a simple way for country mums/moms to teach the basics of sewing techniques and how to while away the hours on a rainy day. As our confidence grew we would add embroidery or homemade lacework. Smocking on gingham and unwanted quilting samplers added to the mix and raised much-needed dollars at local fund-raisers. Old handkerchiefs and dressmaking off-cots were upcycled long before we knew the meaning of the word.............. Today I still suspend a bag above an open (covered) porch doorway that swings in the breeze, wafting it's heady scent for visitors and as a reminder to lanky folk to duck their heads............... :-)
 
[email protected] September 6, 2022
I remember my mum doing many tasks that saved money, made out school clothes the same as u could buy cheaper. With patterns. Also no waste either. The best was me now being 45 yrs old still having a bear that has fabric from childhood on it. I now need to relearn sewing skills as I got sick and did a nice little number on my memory. So it’s nice to read these wonderful comments.
 
Heyays June 22, 2020
How long will this keep for before it looses its smell.
 
Ann B. March 2, 2021
Years. Just squeeze it or roll it between your palms periodically to slightly crush the lavender buds and release more of their scent.
 
NancyFromKona November 28, 2016
I ran across a related and clever alternative use for lavender: take a scrunchi hair tie and stuff the lavender inside. I wear it to bed and my husband says I smell great and it helps him sleep.
 
Penelope P. January 26, 2016
Sounds easy to make and will add a great scent to my home.
 
Gary September 14, 2015
For "combine two parts lavender with one part rice". Is that two parts by volume or by weight?
 
Laura K. September 14, 2015
By volume -- thanks!
 
Mary P. May 26, 2015
I make the lavender sachets using my deceased mothers old hankies.
I give them to family members. Not only do they smell nice, they
also have a special meaning.
 
Patricia L. May 23, 2015
Can you use something other than rice?
 
Niknud September 16, 2016
I make knitted lavender sachets and I used beans instead of rice - gives them a bit more heft....
 
Patricia L. September 16, 2016
Next I'll need some lavender......
 
Chris Z. May 14, 2015
Now I have a use for all the lavender growing in my backyard.
 
Ryan M. May 8, 2015
I absolutely love the smell of lavender. These are going in my house ASAP!
 
Anastasia May 7, 2015
Very useful, thank you! I will definitely try this!