How to Make Lavender Sachets (Ridiculously Easy DIY)

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Need a quick and easy homemade gift? These easy DIY lavender sachets are just the thing — even if you don’t sew. Check out this simple tutorial about how to make lavender sachets and enjoy spreading the relaxing scent of lavender.

WHY MAKE DIY LAVENDER SACHETS?

Do you love the smell of lavender, too? It’s one of my all-time favorite scents, especially for encouraging relaxation at bedtime. I put a little sachet filled with lavender on my bedside table, as the lovely scent may promote better sleep.

As someone severely lacking in crafting skills, I’m always on the lookout for the easiest DIY gifts that still have the air of homemade about them, even if making them was actually unbelievably simple.

I mean, DIY bath salts and sugar scrubs are nothing more than mixing two or three household ingredients and putting them in a bottle.

I don’t do complicated baking recipes, but these 3-ingredient homemade chocolates are SO good, people ask me for them year after year. They don’t realize I’m just melting chocolate chips in the microwave and mixing in fruit and nuts.

Homemade lavender sachets are likewise a total snap, or you wouldn’t be reading about them here. Simply taking some lavender buds and filling a bag — could it be any easier? They’re also pretty darn cheap to make, especially if you can harvest lavender from the garden.

You can grow lavender from seed and your lovely homemade, homegrown gift costs next to nothing. You can also use lavender leaves if you want to stretch your gifting budget even further.

But if you don’t grow your own lavender, it’s not expensive to buy loads of delicious-smelling lavender buds. I recommend getting culinary grade organic lavender. You can use it for projects like this, or you can use it medicinally in tinctures or teas, or in some of these lavender recipes. If you get cheaper dyed lavender, only use it for craft projects.

If you have extra lavender, use your leftovers in this simple recipe for homemade lavender bath salts, which you can gift or keep for yourself. Both are excellent last-minute gift ideas.

A little lavender in your nighttime tea is lovely and relaxing as well. I like a little in my relaxing herbal tea blends. (Too much can be overpowering, so start with a small amount.)

SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE LAVENDER SACHETS

The only things you need to make these easy lavender sachets are some bags and lavender buds. If you like to sew, you can make your own simple pouches from fabric scraps, but if you don’t, you can use inexpensive purchased bags.

Fabric bags:

For a more rustic look, a simple muslin pouch will work. For just a little more money, you can get bags made from organic cotton.

For a more sophisticated look, you can use organza gift bags, either in a plain fabric like these, or decorated like these pretty bags.

Lavender buds:

You can harvest your lavender from the garden or you can buy lavender here.

(Optional) Lavender essential oil:

For a stronger lavender scent, you can add a few drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender essential oil can also be added to your bath, oil diffuser, or DIY air freshener, so it’s nice to have it around. Check out this beginners’ guide to essential oils for more information.

I really like Pura D’Or products, which are organic and affordable. You can get a 4 ounce bottle of their lavender essential oil for a reasonable price, and you’ll have plenty on hand whenever you’d like the lovely scent of lavender. If you want a smaller bottle, there are plenty of other options.

HOW TO MAKE LAVENDER SACHETS

If you’re harvesting your own lavender:

Harvest lavender buds just before the flowers bloom, when the fragrance is most potent.

Snip individual flower stalks and lay them out in small bunches. Gather stems together and secure the bunch by wrapping a string around the ends, leaving a length of string for hanging up the bundle.

Hang bundles of lavender upside down in a warm, dry spot out of direct sunlight. Your lavender will be dry and ready to use in 1 to 3 weeks.

Remove the dried lavender flowers from their stems by running your fingers down the stems. Pick out some or all of the dried  leaves and discard stems.

To make the sachets:

Depending on the size of the bag you choose, you’ll need more or less lavender. For small gift bags, a half-cup scoop should do. Larger bags will need more. This is a case where you can just eyeball what looks good to you — there’s no right or wrong way to do it.

If your lavender buds are pretty fresh, they should have plenty of scent on their own, but if you want to add more scent, drop a few drops of lavender essential oil on them.

Secure the top of the bag and add a pretty gift tag if you like. That’s it!

If you want to sew your own fabric bags:

1. Cut fabric into 4 x 4 inch squares.
2. Lay one on top of the other with the printed sides of the fabric together and the sides you don’t want to see in the finished product facing outward.
3. Sew 3 sides together.
4. Turn the fabric pouch right side out and fill it with dried lavender flowers.
5. Sew the open end of the fabric pouch shut or secure it with a ribbon or string.

–> Shortcut if you want to skip sewing: You can use fabric scraps without sewing by collecting the corners and securing at the top with a string.

HOW TO USE LAVENDER SACHETS

Use your lavender sachets anywhere the relaxing scent of lavender would be welcome. On your night table or under your pillow are excellent choices.

They work brilliantly as natural air fresheners or pest repellents. Place in your closets, car, drawers, or any other location that may need a little fragrance boost or insect protection.

FAQs

How long do lavender sachets last?

Lavender will hang on to its scent for a couple of years. When it starts to fade, just a few drops of lavender essential oil and the scent will be refreshed.

How should you store lavender sachets?

When not in use, placing them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place will help them hold onto their scent.

Can you use other herbs?

Certainly! Rosemary has a beautiful scent that’s also helpful for repelling insects. It’s considered helpful for focus, so it’s a nice smell to have nearby while you work. Mint is another option to consider. Peppermint oil has many uses for controlling pests and may help with alertness and energy (so don’t put it by your bedside!).

Lemon balm and lemon verbena are additional options to consider.

Looking for more easy DIY ideas anyone can make? Here are some top suggestions:

• DIY Bath Salts
• DIY Sugar Scrub
• Easy Homemade Gifts for the Not-So-Crafty

Save this info on how to make lavender sachets for later!

Photo credits for cover and pins: Africa images, Kislev

Susannah

Susannah is a health and environmental writer focusing on gardening, foraging, medicinal plants, and sustainability. Her work has appeared in Mother Earth Living, Ensia, Northern Gardener, Sierra, and on numerous websites. Her first book, Everything Elderberry, released in September 2020 and was a #1 new release in holistic medicine, naturopathy, herb gardening, and other categories. Find out more and grab your copy here.