I hope you guys don’t think this is too kooky but … I have a hard time throwing dryer sheets away. They still smell good after one use and it seems such a waste. (I know you can reuse them but I don’t do that either. haha)
So I end up putting them in my dresser drawers to help keep the clothes smelling nice – but that’s getting a bit out of hand and messy looking.
I decided to whip up some little sachets to hold them, and being a girl, I decided they should be pretty at the same time. I have a bunch of lace and doilies that I’ve gathered. It’s something I always check for at yard sales and antique stores. And I buy it if it’s a good price even if there are spots and things, because I can always use parts of it.
So here is my little sachet made using a vintage doily. Actually, I got carried away. Here are the 3 that I made.
These are quick and easy. Kind of like making a tiny tiny pillow. Ready for the tutorial?
I used linen, doilies, ribbon, and some sheer fabric that I got on clearance at Target. Seriously – $2.48 for 2 sheer curtain panels? I can’t buy the fabric for that price!
I cut my linen into a 7 1/2″ square for the front and two 5″ x 7 1/2″ squares for the back. I also cut a square out of the sheer fabric just smaller than the doily size.
For the backs, hem the bottom of one rectangle and the top of the other. Cut some coordinating ribbon and add a piece to the bottom of your top rectangle and about halfway down from the top of the bottom rectangle.
Place the top rectangle over the bottom piece so that they overlap to make a 7 1/2″ square. Baste the two sides together where they overlap.
Set this aside and start on your top piece. Layer your linen square, then the sheer fabric, then the doily. Pin everything down. For this cotton type of doily, I sewed very close to the edge, then at the next section of needlework, to make sure to catch the sheer fabric.
Flip the linen over to the back. Just inside the second stitching line make a slit and cut the linen out. Make sure you don’t cut the sheer fabric.
I treated the inside with Fray Check just to be safe.
You can see the sheer fabric through the lace just a bit.
Place the front and back, right sides together, and sew around all four sides. Trim the corners to help it turn nicely.
You don’t have to do this, but I also zig-zagged around the outside, just to cut down on the fraying.
Turn right side out and press. See? Easy!
Here’s the back – it’s pretty too.
Add in your dryer sheets for a pretty smelling sachet. Pat yourself on the back for being a stylish recycler. ;)
Maybe at this point you get carried away too.
I decided that this would be a great way to use some Lavender I had, but I didn’t want it to spill out so I didn’t make the back the same.
I cut 5″ squares out of linen, sheer fabric, and a lace scrap I had.
Layer then together in this order – Linen, Lace, then Sheer fabric. Sew around the edges, leaving an opening in the center of one side. Trim your corners again and turn right side out.
Fill the square with Lavender – or other dried potpourri. You could even use dried tea! For this sachet I used a 1/4 ounce of Lavender. A funnel helps here too.
Hand stitch the opening closed and you have a wonderful smelling sachet!
Here are the three sachets again – the crocheted doily is a cheap one I found at Joann’s one day – I just zigzagged it onto the linen, leaving only the center ring open with the sheer under it. Just to be different.
I love that these are all about recycling, but they look and smell so pretty.
I think they’d make great gifts or stocking stuffers too – you could even use the sheer fabric to make up bags of potpourri to give with the larger sachets so they could be changed out. What do you think?
Emily {Frilly Details} says
Bev, you are one smart little cookie! What a great idea! I have a hard time throwing away fabric sheets but my hubby goes nuts when they are falling out of our sock drawers. I never thought to make a little sachet. Brilliant!
Stephanie Lynn says
These are so pretty! Love the doily embelishments. I have a ton of lavender that I have been holding on to ~ This is such a perfect idea…great gifts! Thanks for sharing! Love them! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe says
Super cute! And such a great idea. Confession: I use them 2-3 times b/c I just hate to throw them out when they still smell so good! Now I’ll be stashing them in something cute and putting them in my dresser. ;)
Cindy S says
What a great idea, and thanks so much for the tutorial! Simple, pretty and mmm…smells so good!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
Those are so cute! And great tutorial!!
mom2fur says
I throw the sheets in my drawers, too! I love your sachet idea. Much nicer than loose dryer sheets, LOL! Yours came out really pretty!
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says
What wonderful, easy, inexpensive ideas. I really like the delicate ribbon closure. Thanks for linking with Fabric Fun Thurs.
Ingrid says
i love it! so fun!
Becky says
I love it,too! Great idea so resourceful.
Debby Messner says
Great way to reuse. Love the pillows. They remind me of my grandmother.
sherry says
What a great idea and wonderful tutorial. You are very creative. ~~Sherry~~
Steph says
Oh you are so creative! And that soup looks DELICIOUS!
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Amy says
Those are so different and amazing..
The Starr Family says
What a clever, clever idea! So creative and I must say, ambitious! They would indeed make sweet little gifts… perhaps leaving a spot to open & insert new “old” dryer sheets! You could attach them to detergent/dryer sheets as part of a bridal shower gift! Yay for your ingenuity!
Natasha says
How fabulous! This is such a great idea and you are so right about them being excellent stocking stuffers! You are so clever!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Annie says
This is FANTASTIC! I’ve never thought of this. I just toss mine. Great idea!
Michelle L. says
Super pretty and what a great use for these! I never thought to use ’em in drawers. Tip of the week!!
barbara jean says
Great idea for the dryer sheets.
For the lavender sachets I have made, so you do not have to fill the whole pillow with lavender, I put soft batting in too.
You can still ‘squish’ the lavender to make it aromatic again, but you use less of it.
Blessings
barbara jean
Roo @ Nice Girl Notes says
Whoooaa you’re totally a stylish recycler. Love it!
Moe says
Hey there! Your blog always has neat stuff. This is such a great idea! Saw it on the Girl Creative’s Just Something I Whipped Up!
:) :)
Bethany @ The Paper Pony says
What a great idea! I know what you mean about dryer sheets- I have a collection of them as well! What a fantastic way to put them to use!
Jill says
I love this idea. I hate throwing dryer sheets out even after I use them over and over again!
Red Head says
These are so cute! Love the embellishments!
Catch a Falling Star says
Neat idea!
I’ve always loved the smell of our dryer sheet.
I’ve always hid them under the seat but, then I always forget to throw them away weeks later.
Melissa says
GREAT ideas. And a lovely tutorial. Thanks!
Stephanie Lynn says
Hi Beverly. This is such a wonderul idea! Loev the doily too! They look fabulous. I’ll be featuring this today. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase party! Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
{Rebekah} All Thingz Related says
This is such a good idea and they look great too! Thank you so much for sharing your sachets with us at Anything Related!
Holly L says
Great idea…and they are so pretty. Love the crochet.
Clarissa Emily says
What a fabulousay idea and I LOVE lavender! I just may have to go make/find some doilies and whip some up these myself! I’m visiting from Someday Crafts!
Have a lovely day!
~Clarissa @ A Little Stone House
Tammy @ Not Just Paper and Glue says
Wow! These are beautiful and what really nice gifts these would make.
Sharyn says
These are so cute, pretty & practical too! Wonderful idea.
Sherry says
What a great way to use dryer sheets. Your tutorial was great, every step is clear and the finished project is lovely. Thanks so much for sharing your idea.
Sharyn says
You know I think these are fab!! Your post has been featured in Friday Favourites at Creative Link Up http://creativelinkup.blogspot.com/2010/08/friday-favourites.html
Ann Gun-Munro says
Great idea and instructions. So cute and practical! I have been looking for something to do with all of my vintage doilies. Thank you