When I was growing up, my mom always encouraged us make gifts for loved ones. I'm grateful for that early influence because these days, I not only make many of my own gifts, I'm encouraging my own children to do the same.
In this post, I'll walk you through a great scented sachet project that would make a perfect gift for any occasion.
You may have already seen my easy sachet project in the July 2008 issue of Romantic Homes magazine, which featured a few photos of these sachets along with super simple instructions.
I'm thrilled to have my project appear in this fantastic magazine and I think Romantic Homes' photographers did a wonderful job with the spread.
In this post, I'll walk you through a more detailed step-by-step of the sachet construction process.
You don't need many supplies or even advanced sewing skills to make these. If you can sew a straight line, trust me-you can make these pretty little sachets.
First, collect a variety of colored linen fabric, some all-surface permanent rubber stamp ink, cotton fiberfill and some nicely scented potpourri.
You'll also need a few rubber stamps. These are just a few of my favorite stamps from years of rubber stamp collecting.
I think these old fashioned stamp images give the project a wonderful vintage feel.
You'll need two linen squares cut about 1/2 inch larger than the stamp you use. Make sure the linen has been thoroughly ironed before you do any stamping. If the image is stamped onto wrinkles in the fabric, it may prevent a clean and complete image transfer. The size of the sachet depends on the size of the rubber stamp.
Give your selected stamp a generous covering of ink. I used Stazon ink in this case because it's a permanent ink that adheres nicely to the linen fabric which does not bleed through the fabric or smudge easily.
Stamp your image directly onto your first linen square. Apply a good amount of equal pressure to the stamp, making sure you're careful not to shift the block.
If the block shifts, it could smear the image and you may have to start all over.
Carefully lift the stamp from the linen and take a look at your beautiful fabric image. I love this stamp. I think the little girl looks so sweet.
Give your inked fabric square about 15-minutes to dry. Place your second linen square on top of the transfered image and sew 1/4 all the way around leaving a small opening to insert your potpourri.
If the rubber stamp image has a natural border, trim the fabric 1/4 inch beyond the image border. Then slowly stitch the two pieces of linen together with a 1/4 inch seam.
By doing this you'll make sure the entire stamped image will fill the front of the sachet with no fabric border like the picture below.
After sewing the seams, turn the project inside out and loosely stuff the sachet with a small amount of potpourri and cotton fiberfill. The cotton stuffing will help fill out the shape while the potpourri will add a nice scent. Don't over-stuff the project. Hand stitch the small opening.
The sachet below was created with two stamps. If you decide to use more than one rubber stamp for your project, make sure the images do not have a natural border. This way the image transfers will simply "float" in the center of the fabric with no defined boundary.
I'm a stickler for cleaning my rubber stamps thoroughly after every use. Remember when cleaning your stamps never use a hard brush, especially if the stamps have very fine, intricate images like the ones you see here.
With love and care, even old and heavily used stamps can continue to look brand new for many years.
Meanwhile, when it comes to adding scents, you can also do some customizing.
Gather a handful of the cotton stuffing and spray it with your favorite cologne or perfume. Seal the cotton overnight in a ziplock bag to dry completely and then lightly stuff the sachet.
Tie a pretty ribbon around a stack of sachets for an extra special gift.
TIP: Even though an all-purpose, permanent stamp ink is used, you may still want to lightly spray the finished project with a little quilt sealer, to help preserve the image and prevent the ink from rubbing off or fading over time and exposure to light.
Be sure to conduct a test spray first. Quilt sealer is available at most quilt shoppes.
These sachets make a great all-around offering. They're perfect as a shower gift, bridesmaid gift or even fragrant stocking stuffers-it's not too early to think about handmades items for the holidays.
Now, that not only makes scents-but makes sense too.
Ya know, you are so talented!!! This is such a terrific idea!
What a beautiful gift those sachets make! Thanks for the tutorial! =)
Beautiful little gift and beautiful packaged as well…. thanks for the “how to” …..this might be another thing to do with my original faces….
I love this project Lisa and I really like how you’ve used rubber stamps for the imagery on the fabric. Great idea!
It is gratifying to know that some of that jabbering that I did when you were young did not go in one ear and out the other ear. Hand-crafted items take time and care and those who receive them know that they are truly from the heart. These are lovely gifts. Thanks for the tutorial. Love,your Mother Woman
You made this so easy to follow. And the images are lovely.
Wow, another cool project Lisa! And a new way to use my bucketload of stamps! Thanks!
wow… those are gorgeous Lisa. You always come up with amazing projects! can I pick your brain? LOL 🙂
You share THE BEST ideas. Gorgeous sachets and I think it’s because of the beautiful rubber stamps. I’ve learned lots from this post. I have never been able to find a permanent ink for stamping (I like to use them for quilt labels) and I had no idea about quilt sealer. Wonderful post.
first of all, congrats on being featured in the magazine. exciting. second, lisa strikes again. what a beautiful project!! and you know what? it looks easy enough for me to do. they are great. thanks lisa!!
Wonderful and beautiful project! Thanks for the instructions. I might just try this one! Beautiful blog- Traci sent me over from hers.
This is just fantastic Lisa!!! What a great project and oh so beautiful the sachets are. I have a few stamps myself, but they are not this big. Gosh, the stamps are sooo very lovely! And congratulations with your contribution in Romantic Homes Magazine, it is fantastic! No wonder, you are very talented.
What an Inspration you are Lisa, I really mean it!
A couple of days ago I started embroidering, I tried out something new. I just have to wait now and see how it will turne out. This Autumn I will trie to be more Adventurous, trie something totally new. I will shure pass by more often, great days for blogging and beeing creative.
Take good care Lisa and have a wonderful week!
Hugs and greetings
Aina
Thank you so much for sharing that. They are simple to make but so beautiful. I will make some for Christmas gifts, for sure.
Gorgeous Lisa! Did I know you were in that lovely magazine? I don’t think so! How beautiful and what a thrill for you! You always have the most amazing ideas. Your mom must be more than proud, what a great job she did in raising you! I’m proud of you too!!!
Happy day,
Melissa
I’ve never thought about stamping fabric! That’s great – now if only I had your beautiful stamps! 🙂 Thanks for sharing and congrats for the mag feature!
What a beautiful idea – I have an Auntie who I just know would love one of these for Christmas.
I was wondering if you had any suggestions on where to get such beautiful stamps on the web?
Regards from Australia.
Thanks Lisa, you’ve inspired me once again. I’ve never even done rubber stamping before, just don’t know what kind of project to get started with but as I’m drawn to fabric, your article gives me inspiration now to put the two together. I love lavender too so may make a lavender bag to start.
What a lovely little project Lisa! I appreciate that it is simple to make but looks very expensive.
I am absolutely in love with this project!! Thank you so much!!
Beautiful Lisa! What a neat idea for a small thank you gift or stocking stuffer!
WOW Lisa!
These are simply amazing!!!
I love the vintage stamps you used (just perfect with the linen), and yet again you offer such great tips and advice for getting it all looking perfect.
I remember that article! Your sachets are beautiful! I love to make them too – lavender is one of my favorite things.
Hi Lisa,
I want to tell you thanks for your blog. I find it so inspiring! It is the first I’ve read, but since then I have read others. I really enjoy that you have many creative interests. I found your bolg by reading romantic homes and I wanted to order the stamps you used in the article. I just order the sweet girl today and I am looking forward to making the sachet.I also like that you offered more information on your blog pages. I also enjoyed the the book 601 great scrapbook ideas, that you blog spoke about. I found a copy on ebay for a steal. There are a couple of photos with your sweet kids. you are very talented and are blessed with the two kids. They look hug-gable! Anyways I enjoy your blog. When I finish my sachet, I wonder if you would let me send one to you as a gift? keep on craftin
thanks Nanette
Thanks for giving me the idea of what to make for Christmas, Lisa. I wish I am that creative.
Hugs,
nance
What a beautiful, creative blog you have with lots of wonderful ideas. Lovely to stop by. Nel
Those are just simply delightful!!!
Those would make wonderful little gifts and the season getting closer.
wow congrats on the article. THe project is so beautiful. ANd so easy. My mother would love a gift like this!I guess I know what i’m sneaking into her stocking this year!
Congrats on the article – how cool is that?! I love your projects and your blog. Thanks for sharing with us.
Congrats on the article and thanks so much for sharing it here on your blog…you have such great ideas, thanks!
Those are so cool! That one stamp reminds me of my little miss. Thanks for always sharing such great, inspiring projects.
You are soooo talented! Hillary H. just posted your LO for the NYC Scraps charity class (and a link to your blog) and I absolutely love it. I’m bookmarking your blog! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Hey Pretty Lady,
You need a book deal. You’re just too darned good at everything and you’re an excellent teacher. I love reading your tutorials and your photos are fantastic.
Happy Autumn!
Gena
Fabulous Lisa! I’m going to have to try this one!
These are gorgeous! And it looks like I might even be able to do this. Wonderful instructions and great pictures. Thanks!
wow, fantastic project I will definitely have to give this a try! Also I cannot believe you have an Emmy!!! Wow what an achievement! Congrads!
These are great! Thanks for sharing.
Lisa I have been away much too long everything is so wonderful I mean wonderful….so many great ideas and the diversity blows me away!!! xoxox Jennifer
oh my gosh!! sooo wonderful!! I will so have to try to make some sweetie!! hope you are having a fantastic day!! xoxo Britt
I truly love your blog! I like the idea of the pillows with the stamps on them. I am going to try your project! Have a great Holiday!! Lovlee
wow! how did you discover this one? Hmm I love it! Really artsy!
That was a great scented sachet project so creative. Keep up the good work.
cletsey
This really is an wonderful written write-up, Thanks for yet a different insightful post, as consistently!