Handkerchief Sachets

    Posted by  ·  April 21, 2010

    Mother’s Day Gift Idea

    I have a few hankies saved from my grandmother and decided to turn them into something useful. I think these would make the sweetest Mother’s Day Gifts.

    No worries if you don’t have handkerchiefs. Antique stores usually have a great selection for about .50 cents to $2.00 each.

    Take one handkerchief and lay it out flat.

    Fold the handkerchief in half and then half again. Line up all edges and press.

    The handkerchief could have been cut, but I just couldn’t bear to cut into the hankies. I also liked the sachets thicker and didn’t want to have to finish raw edges.

    Machine stitch around the handkerchief about a half inch from the edge (on larger hankies I sewed 1 inch from the edge). Leave a one inch opening on a side that can be filled. I left the opening on the first fold adjacent to the last fold (see picture).

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    Fill handkerchief with dried lavender (I found mine at Save On Crafts). A funnel makes this go quickly.  If you don’t have a small plastic funnel a piece of paper rolled into a cone works also. Don’t overfill as it will make it harder to sew sachet closed.

    Close opening by finishing stitching line. The stitching line could also be embellished with hand embroidery.

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    Filed Under: Gifts for pampering, Gifts for the home, Gifts for women, Handmade Gifts, Mother's Day, Sew

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    Comments

    1. Roberta Bellemare
      Monday, June 26th, 2017
      I started making small items for a craft show that we have in the development were I reside. Found these sachets hankies and fell in love with the idea. I have at least 40 hankies that were my Mom's and I will use them as they are doing no one any good stored in a drawer. I intend to use Lavender to fill them and some I will decorate w/silk flowers and ribbons.
      I am 82 yrs "young" and do all kinds of crafts. Thank you for such a wonderful idea
      Reply
    2. Francese M Mills
      Saturday, August 27th, 2016
      Hello....what a wonderful idea using pretty hankies.....makes me
      want to get out my sewing machine again....thanks
      Reply
    3. carol kelsey-kolojeski
      Saturday, April 20th, 2013
      Love this idea for my preschoolers to make for their Mom's for Mothers Day. Now just need a cute poem to attach to it. Got any ideas?
      Reply
    4. Kathy Smith
      Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
      Thank you for these great directions...I have hankies, grow lavender, and am in a "pay it forward 2012" group for which I needed something I could make myself for gifts...this is perfect!!!
      Reply
    5. Dorothy White
      Thursday, April 12th, 2012
      I love this idea with the hankies. I have many very old hankies I have been questioning what to do with them. Thank you now I know.
      Reply
    6. Peggy Young
      Sunday, September 18th, 2011
      You have solved my problem! I am 75 years old and I have many handkerchiefs that belonged to my Great Grandmother! I also have many Granddaughters! What a wonderful gift to them! Something personal that belonged to their GGG Grandmother that they can actually use! I also have two little new Great Granddaughters! Something of their GGGG Grandmothers!
      Thank you so much. I have have been wanting to give them to my girls but wanted it to be in a keepsake form.
      Reply
    7. Sibylle
      Thursday, May 5th, 2011
      this is beautiful whimsical!!
      Reply
    8. Bron
      Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
      Thanks for these beautiful gift ideas.......I had a little twist with tea for mine. Thanks for sharing.
      Reply
    9. Shoebox Seamstress
      Sunday, October 17th, 2010
      What a brilliant idea. I got busy immediately. I also think my mother would love this. We both have a small collection of antique handkerchiefs, but they are simply kept in a box and admired once in a while. This way I can enjoy them even more!

      You can see them here: http://picasaweb.google.com/shoeboxseamstress/Sewing#5529011684272222498
      Reply
    10. Cathie
      Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
      I made some of these, and any hankie that was stained I just tea stained it to cover the mess. Super nice and vintage/primitive. Filled them with the lavender, but I like the idea of rice and essential oil. Love this site too....I find Im not as creative as I used to be so I come here to get my thoughts flowing again. Hugs & Kisses.....Cathie
      Reply
    11. Kathrin
      Friday, April 30th, 2010
      Just wonderful, thanks a lot for this simple and lovely idea.
      I collect old Hankies, have quiet a lot and as you say, it's not possible to cut them, but with your idea it's not neccessairy and the hankie could be opended again one day.
      Just great !!!
      Have a wonderful day, Hello from Switzerland, Kathrin
      Reply
    12. beth Moore
      Friday, April 23rd, 2010
      I can't bear to cut them either.... don't know if I can sew them though either.... At least they'd get used and seen more. I'll think about it :)
      Reply
    13. belinda
      Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
      Ok I have ALOT of old, pretty hankies! This is so cute. I had to TWEET about it! Thanks!
      Reply
    14. noel
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      "I have a few hankies saved from my grandmother and decided to turn them into something useful"

      Um, handkerchiefs aren't useful?
      Reply
    15. Maria
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      So very, very pretty!
      Thank you for the great ideas you always have!
      ~Maria
      Reply
    16. Amanda
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      These are really beautiful! You did a wonderful job!
      Reply
    17. Tiffanee
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      What an incredible idea! It won't cost me a ton to ship either!! Love it!! Thanks!!
      Reply
    18. Melissa Howard
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      These are so sweet and simple!! I love it...

      Isn't funny -- I have a variety of crafts that I do with hankies but I always, always avoid cutting them - isn't that funny!!
      Reply
    19. Stacey Lokovic
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      Great idea! I have some from my grandmas as well. I think I will make one for my mom for Mother's Day...I never know what to get her and this will be a nice sentimental gift. :) Thanks!
      Reply
    20. TammyM
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      This is a very gorgeous project! Beautiful!
      Reply
    21. pamela ponder
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      those are lovely!!!
      Reply
    22. Silvelaine
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      Que delicadeza de presente! Muito delicado!
      Reply
    23. Adin
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      That is really nice! :) I love visiting your blog!

      ADin B

      http://itssewtasticmama.blogspot.com/2010/04/green-bag-ladys-40th-earth-day-freebie.html
      Reply
    24. Shorty
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      I love this idea! And I happen to have some antique hankies!!! Thank you for the inspiration and the tutorial.
      Reply
    25. Liz@HoosierHomemade
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      These are just beautiful! Thanks Cindy!
      I stumbled the post :-)
      ~Liz
      Reply
    26. Sarah
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      That's such a great use of handkerchiefs -- I hardly know anyone that actually uses them for their intended purpose anymore!!
      Reply
    27. Jamie
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      Wonderful, simple idea for Mother's Day gifts and teacher appreciation gifts! Thank You!
      Reply
    28. grandmaof7
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      Love your idea. I bet you could find hankies at yard sales! Thanks for sharing.
      Reply
    29. Janine
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      So pretty! I'd have to find a different filling as lavender gives me a headache...I'll have to do some research...I'll let you know what I find! Great idea!
      Reply
      • cindylouh
        Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
        I would think you could use something like rice scented with an essential oil of your choice. They would be heavier but I don't think it would matter.
    30. Beverly
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      Great idea! I have many - will give this a try - putting them in drawers differently than they are in the drawers now. Thanks for the idea.

      Bev
      Reply
    31. Barbara H.
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      That is so, so cute. I like not cutting into them, too.
      Reply
    32. Kim @ Homesteader's Heart
      Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
      I love this idea. I have some hankies that I got from a box lot at an auction and didn't know what to do with them. Now I know!
      Reply