Potpourri Sachets - from the Victoria's Boudoir

December 11, 2019

Here is a simple and sweet pattern from the many that are included in the 302 Victoria's Boudoir pattern from Folkwear's home wear collection.  Our pattern includes three different shapes for the sachet (we are only including two shapes here).  Optional lace trims the outside of the sachet.  And, this is a great pattern to try out those rarely-used embroidery stitches on your machine.  You can add pretty stitching along the sides of the sachet before putting it together and make this a really beautiful and special project.  You can also hand embroider initials to the sachet for a unique and special gift for someone.  Our pattern includes templates for beautiful Victorian style letters.  A romantic and easy project to sew a thoughtful gift or stocking stuffer (or host gift) for those on your holiday gift list.  Or to use in your own clothes drawers!

I made the sachets above as gifts, and even embroidered one with my daughter's initials.

All these instructions, plus LOTS more are in our 302 Victoria's Boudoir pattern (40% off all this month).  

POTPOURRI SACHET PATTERN

CUTTING GUIDE FOR SACHETS

The pattern pieces, and the embroidery designs, are found in the file Pattern Pieces 302 Sachets.  They can be printed on two pieces of regular printer paper from a home printer.  First download the file to print the pattern (we made it to fit A4 paper too).  This file also has an embroidery design and all the monogram letters.

For the Square Sachet you will need Piece R.

For the Round Sachet you will need Piece S.

If you plan to embroider your Sachet, do so before cutting pattern pieces from fabric. Trace outline and embroidery motif onto fabric before cutting the pattern out from the fabric.  Allow enough fabric around traced outline to fit into embroidery hoop.  Or, if you are using embroidery stitches on your sewing machine, it can help to draw a line that you want the embroidery to follow.  And, make sure you stabilize the area where you will be stitching with embroidery stabilizer paper or interfacing.  You should be able to tear away the stabilizer after embroidering.  After embroidering, cut pieces from fabric.

SEWING GUIDE FOR SACHETS

NOTE: Shading denotes right side of fabric.

Prepare scented floral Potpourri for your sachet as explained below. (Or you may buy ready-made potpourri or lavender)

Instructions for both Sachet shapes are the same. The square sachet will be illustrated here.

Right sides together, stitch two (unembroidered) sachet pieces  together as a lining, leaving an opening between boxes for stuffing.

Turn right side out and press.Fill as full as possible with Potpourri. Slip-stitch opening together.

Optional:  Baste pre-gathered lace to one remaining sachet piece, right sides together, with edge of lace on seam line, turning under first short edge of lace ½”/13mm.  (If you have embroidered your Sachet, this will be the embroidered piece.)

Right sides together, stitch remaining sachet pieces (this will be the embroidered piece if using) together, sandwiching optional lace, leaving an opening between boxes. Turn right side out.

Insert stuffed Lining into lace-trimmed Sachet. Slip-stitch opening together.

You can also make this sachet with just two fabric pieces from the pattern:  Make as for the outer layer of the sachet and fill with lavender or potpourri. 

POTPOURRI

"The drying of fragrant, natural ingredients and blending them into a potpourri became popular in the sixteenth century, when sanitation was primitive at best. Chamomile, lavender and fennel leaves were often sprinkled around the rooms of a castle to cover up unpleasant odors. In those days, herbs were also thought to possess mysterious, strange, and powerful properties. Aromatic leaves were supposedly able to cast out demons and save lives.

In the 1500's, a Swiss pharmacist theorized that herbs embody the 'quinta essentia', the fifth essence, which medieval philosophers believed was the highest element after earth, air, fire, and water. Aromatic botanical compounds commonly became known as 'essential oils.'

The term is still used to indicate pure fragrance oils such as those that are added to the ingredients in... potpourri to enhance and extend their natural scents.

Today, the herbs, flowers, spices, and essential oils...have no magic powers - they just look and smell wonderful, adding a decorator touch to any room with a delightful, fresh fragrance."

 --Used by permission of Patti Howard of Victorian Fancies.

RECIPE FOR POTPOURRI:

This recipe comes to us courtesy of Patti Howard of Victorian Fancies.

1 c. dried rose petals

½ c. dried, crushed geranium leaves 1 tbsp. dried, slivered lemon rind

1 tbsp. whole allspice 3 crushed bay leaves

6 drops Rose-Geranium oil (available at many health food/craft stores)

Mix, sniff, and enjoy!

Note: The essential oil is not required, but it will prolong and enhance the natural fragrance of the ingredients. If you use the oil, it is nice to mix everything in a plastic bag, close it tightly, and place in a cool, dark place for a few days, shaking it up occasionally to blend the oil with the leaves and petals. This procedure can be repeated whenever the fragrance begins to fade.

EMBROIDERY STITCHES

Use this as a guide to select the right stitch for each particular motif:

• Satin Stitch- leaves, flowers and ribbons
• Stem Stitch-Tendrils on wreath and monogram motifs.

Use 3 strands of embroidery floss or size 8 Pearl cotton.

Satin Stitch

This looks like the simplest of all embroidery stitches, with its over-and-over stitch, but in reality, it requires practice, patience and even tension. Stitch placement must be precise, entering and exiting exactly on the motif outline with the same distance between parallel stitches.

To fill in body of motif, work a series of straight stitches perpendicular (or slightly angled) to the transferred outline and parallel to one another.

Fig. 5 shows the satin stitch: out at A, in at B, up at C.

Where the design narrows down to a single line (as on the monograms), you will not be able to work the stitches parallel, but will have to stagger them. Fig. 6 shows an exaggerated scheme to handle the curves. (These stitches will closely resemble the stem stitch.)

Stem Stitch

Bring thread up at A- down at B- and up at C which is halfway between A and B (Fig. 7). Be sure to keep your needle on the same side each time. (Fig. 8).

For the downloadable PDF version of this pattern, go here.

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