Wednesday 23 March 2011

Lavender Bag Tutorial



I thought I’d share a quick tutorial for making lavender bags. They’re my best sellers at craft fairs and have gone down well with everybody who's received one as a present – probably because they smell so good and are really pretty. They’re truly the easiest present in the world to make and you only need teeny tiny bits of fabric. Here’s how I make them....

1. Cut out two rectangles of fabric approx 16cm long x 11.5cm wide.


2. With right sides together, pin the two rectangles together. Starting about 2cm from the edge of one of the short sides, sew all the way round until you’re the same distance from the other corner.  I use the edge of the machine foot as a seam allowance.

Machine foot shows finishing position
3. Clip off the corners then turn the rectangle the right way round, through the gap you’ve just left.




4. Stick the end of a paint brush, or similar into each corner, so they’re nice and pointy, then iron the seam down across the gap so it’s straight.


5. Fill with lavender - as much or as little as you like.  I get my lavender from this company who deliver in super quick time (the next day in the UK).  Prices start at £2.10 for a 100g bag (plus postage). Top tip: make sure you keep your lavender in an air tight bag or box to retain the fragrance. If you have a funnel it will come in handy at this stage - I haven’t got one so I just use a spoon.


6. Position either a label or a few inches of ribbon in a loop halfway across the top edge (this gives the recipient the option of hanging it up). 


7. Starting at one end and staying quite close to the edge, sew across the gap, backstitching over the ribbon/label for extra strength.


That’s it, you have yourself a lavender bag! 

They look really pretty tied up with ribbon in two's and three's

A super-fast make and I guarantee the recipient will be delighted! x

26 comments:

  1. Absolutely lovely Jane! If I don't get a chance to try your tutorial out for Mother's Day, I will find another occassion (any occassion at all) to do so!

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  2. Hi jane can i ask were you got your hand made labels from i think they add a lovely touch to your hand made goods.

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  3. Thank you Marie, once you've made one you'll be making twenty! Miss 1940, here's the link for the labels http://www.wovenlabelsuk.com/Woven-Sew-on-Nametapes.html. Have a look at my Craft Fair Tips post a few weeks ago which gives a few more details about them. x

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  4. so easy? thanks so much for sharing this - i absolutley love lavender bags! :)

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  5. What a great idea/gift! And you made it look easy.

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  6. Thanks for your help Jane keep up the good work.

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  7. So lovely! thanks for sharing x

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  8. Perfect post in time for Mother's Day. Thanks for sharing again so generously with your suppliers - I've just ordered some lavender!

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  9. Lovely! Thanks for the link for the lavender. I was thinking the other day that I should get some more.They make gorgeous presents. x

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  10. I swear I can smell that lavender - yum!! Thanks Jane :)

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  11. Love lavender. It's my favouritesmell in the whole world!
    Px

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  12. thespacebaronmylaptopissticky!

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  13. sweet bags Jane! Great how you pile them with that lovely ribbon on top...
    Thank you for sharing,
    love Maaike

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  14. Just made one of these - great tutorial. Thanks!

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  15. Hi Jane,
    You are the best Jane. I am making of these and I order my seeds. I would like to know if you any company who sells rose seeds for 100 or 250 gram?

    Once again, thanks for the lesson your teaching me and the rest to make these great tutorial!

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  16. Cool im going to try making that!

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  17. Wow thankyou so. so pretty!! :D . Do u have to put in a certain amount?? oh and g+ from me !!

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    1. Thanks Rebecca! No, there's no set amount to put in, but they do look better when they're a bit plumper, so as much as you can spare really. X

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  18. Nice little tutorial! Loving the CK fabric choice!

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  19. Hi where do you get your lavender from x

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    1. Hi Susan, I get it from http://www.provencelavender.co.uk/Driedlavender.html
      They offer next day delivery in the UK. Hope that helps. X

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  20. hi I was wondering how long these usually stay smelling nice and if you've ever had the lavender go bad or moldy in the bags? i have a Huge lavender plant in my back yard that i use to make soaps and bath fizzes with that would work great with these.

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    1. Hi, the lavender usually stays fragrant for a good few weeks, if not months. If they lose their scent I find scrunching the bag a few times helps re-release the scent. I've never had any reports back that the lavender has gone bad or mouldy in the bags. Good luck! x

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  21. Hi Jane,
    Love the tutorial. I am looking to make some of these for xmas presents & wanted to know how much lavender i would need to make about 10 bags? I have just had a look on the website that you mentioned above on were to purchase the lavender. would 250grms be enough? Thanks.
    Sophia

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    1. I can't really remember to be honest as it's a while since I've made them in bulk. 250g would certainly be enough to fill ten bags, but if you wanted to fill them generously I'd err on the side of caution and get 500g. It will keep for ages in an airtight container so you can always use it for more presents! Hope this helps. x

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    2. Thanks for getting back to me Jane.. I have ordered 500g to be on the safe side. Will let you know how i get on. Once again thank you for the help. Sophia x

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