Crafts- Wardrobe Sachets

This one is a simple project that's great to get started on if you don't have much experience with sewing.

Things you will need-

• Fabric of your choosing (make sure it's breathable so that the scent can escape)
• A needle and thread or a sewing machine
• A ruler
• Tailor's chalk or a pen to mark your material
• Pins
• Scissors
• Ribbon or other drawstring
• Extra ribbon, lace or buttons for embellishment (optional)
• Smelly stuff, ie: dried lavender, cloves, rose petals, etc

I've chosen a black and silver spiderweb netting material for this. I will also be hand stitching rather than using a sewing machine as it's a small project so it won't take long.

Lay out your material flat so that the right side of the fabric is face down, if it's creased you may want to iron it first to smooth out any wrinkles. Using your chalk and ruler draw out a template for the sachet. I have drawn a rectangle that is 30cm by 7cm. The template will be folded in half before sewing so a 30cm long template will become a 15cm long sachet. There will also be a 1cm seam allowance on each side so a 7cm wide template creates a 5cm wide sachet. After you have drawn out your template carefully cut out your rectangle of fabric.

Fold over a 1cm seam along the two 7cm wide edges and pin in place. Double up your thread and tie a triple knot in the end. If you are using a netted fabric like I am you will need to push the needle through the fabric and then loop it between your two strands of thread as per the photo below. When you pull the thread tight the knot will be kept in place by the thread and won't be pulled through the netting.

Use a simple running stitch to secure the seams. This is done by weaving the needle in and out of the fabric and then pulling the thread through.

Fold the fabric in half with your newly stitched seams facing outwards. Make sure your edges match up evenly and pin the fabric in place to stop it moving about as you sew. Starting at the top end of your sachet work your way down one side using the same running stitch as before. Tie a secure knot in the end of the thread once you get to the bottom of the sachet, then stitch down the other side starting at the top edge again and working your way down. Starting at the top on both sides will help prevent your fabric becoming skewed as you sew.

Tie a secure knot in the end of your thread and then turn the sachet right way out so that all the seams are hidden inside. Now loosely weave through a piece of thin ribbon or decorative cord for the drawstring roughly 2cm down from the top edge.

If this sachet is to go inside a chest of drawers then congratulations, you are finished. Fill the sachet with smelly stuff and tie the ribbon in a bow.

If you want this sachet to hang up in the wardrobe then we just need to thread one last piece of ribbon through the back for it to hang from.

These sachets also make great gifts if you want to DIY your xmas presents.