How to Sew a Fabric Sachet Bag

Who doesn't just love the fresh, sweet smell of linens or clothing that are stored amidst fabric sachet bags?

These small scented fabric bags are filled with herbs, flowers, potpourri or other aromatic ingredients.  

A lavender sachet is one of the most common sachet fragrances. My grandmother's neighbor had a large patch of lavender growing in her flower bed.

Each summer, she would kindly let us pick our share of the lovely purple lavender flower stems.

Back at my grandmother's, we'd dry the lavender flowers, separating them from the stems, and use them to make our own scented sachet bags.

Part of the fun was rummaging through my grandmother's scrap fabric to find the perfect prints to sew for my sachets.

She had a box of pretty adornments to embellish the bags that she taught me how to make.  I loved to add lace and ribbons and appliques to my fabric sachets, making my do it yourself craft my very own creation.

If you'd like to add an applique to your fabric sachet, directions can be found on our applique page.

Not only did my scrap fabric sachet project allow me to add lovely scents to my drawers, this sewing craft was perfect to make homemade gifts for my special friends and family.

In order to make the scent stronger, a few drops of essential oil can be added to the flowers and herbs before they are put in the fabric sachet.

Learn how to sew a simple fabric sachet by watching this video and following the step-by-step instructions below.

This project is so easy that even a beginner can sew up these lovely fabric sachets!

sewing a fabric sachet bag

Sure, a lot of money can be spent on store-bought potpourri sachets.  They can be found in many little boutique stores, but the fragrances are often synthetic and do not have the soft, natural scent of a do it yourself fabric sachet.

Another advantage of sewing a DIY fabric sachet is that the fabric colors and textures can be specifically chosen for the project. 

This is definitely a scrap fabric project!  Only a small amount of fabric is necessary to make these lovely sachet bags. 

Another great scrap fabric project is our drawstring pouch.  It's a different type of small bag to hold trinkets like marbles, legos, or other little items.

How to make a fabric sachet bag

what you need to sew a sachet bag

• 2 pieces of fabric 10 ½” x 4”
• 16” piece of ribbon
• Needle
• Thread
• Scissor
• Sewing machine
• Potpourri or dried flower mixture
• Straight pins
• Corner turning tool or chopstick

step 1:  sew the fabric for the sachet bag

Place the two pieces of 10 1/2 x 4" fabric together with the right side of the fabric facing each other.  This is a small sewing project, so pinning is not necessary.

However, pinning the fabric for the sachets is helpful for beginners.

Start sewing along one long edge of the fabric, using a 1/4" seam allowance.

This is easiest done on a sewing machine, but it can also be hand sewn with a needle and thread.

Sew the two long sides and one short side of the fabric with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

It is important to clip the corners after sewing the pieces together.  This will make it easier to make crisp corners when turning the sachet right side out.

step 2: Fold the top down

Looking carefully at the picture below, turn down the fabric for the sachet at the short end that has not been sewn yet.  Keep folding down the fabric like a cuff until the total piece is 6" long.  Smooth out the fabric forming a finished edge, making sure there are no wrinkles in the cuff portion that has been folded back.

STEP 3: Turn the sachet bag right side out

While keeping the cuff in place, turn the bag right side out.  If you prefer, use a blunt ended tool for corners, or even a chop stick, to push the bottom corners down and out to make crisp right angles. Smooth the entire fabric sachet so it lays flat with no wrinkles in the turned down portion.

step 4: Fill the fabric sachet pouch

Open the top of the pouch, filling the fabric sachet with your chosen dried flower mixture or potpourri until the sachet bag is 1/2 to 2/3 full. 

At this time, a few drops of essential oil can be put into the open bag to enhance the scent, though this is optional.

STEP 5:  Stitch the sachet bag closed

Decide where you will want the ribbon to be tied to finish off the project.  With a needle and thread, use a running stitch to sew the fabric sachet bag closed at the position where the ribbon will be tied. These stitches will keep the potpourri from falling out should the ribbon come off of the sachet.

STEP 6:  finishing the DIY sachet

Tie the colorful ribbon around the fabric sachet where the running stitches were sewn to close the bag. 

 Be sure to make a pretty bow!

These fabric sachets are reusable. To easily refresh them, just remove the ribbon and the hand stitching. Replace the old potpourri with new, stitch the bag closed again, and tie with the ribbon.

Place the sachet in drawers or closets to give clothing, socks and lingerie a beautiful scent. Freshen the air in the car by placing a few fabric sachet bags under the seats.

This DIY sewing project can be as fancy as you like!  Lace, beads, and ribbons can add so much flare to the fabric sachet bags, especially if fancy is the ultimate desire!

If you are looking for a special Valentine's Day sachet, head over to Petals to Picots to see the cute crochet heart sachet.

We hope you enjoyed learning how to make a fabric sachet bag with this tutorial!

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