Cedar & Spice Aromatherapy Sachets

I always enjoy pulling out the sewing machine, though I don't do it nearly enough. These sewn aromatherapy sachet pillows are beautiful, low-cost, low-waste, and make useful gifts. Best of all, the materials were collected from around our home and land. The only cost was my time, which was well spent with my daughter on her first snow day of the season. I used herbs that I dried over this past growing season and homemade vanilla extract.

Tips before you begin collecting ingredients and supplies: 

For the recipe, I used uncooked rice, however you could use any grain you have sitting around in your pantry (lentils, quinoa, barley, etc). 

Instead of purchasing fabric new, I chose to repurpose clothing items that my children had outgrown and that were stained, therefore not ideal for donating. Doing so not only kept costs down, but my kids loved having a piece of their old favorite clothing items made into something new they could hold and cuddle.

Supplies You Will Need

sewing machine (or needle and thread if you prefer to hand-sew)
large bowl and scoop 
funnel
fabric sheers (or sharp scissors)

Ingredients You Will Need
3 cups of uncooked rice
cedar chips and greenery
crushed cinnamon chips, whole cloves, whole star of anise and/or ground spices  (nutmeg, cinnamon, clove), vanilla extract
essential oils of your choice (specific blends I used listed below)
fabric

To Make
Cut your fabric into 5"x5" squares, in sets of two.

Line the edges of the two squares up together, stacked one on top of the other and sew a ¼" hem around each side, leaving a 1" opening on the last side, enough room for the narrow end of your funnel.

Next, place a few cinnamon sticks in a bag, place a towel over it, and pound them with a hammer to break them into small chips.

Cut your cedar twigs and greenery into small pieces. (You may wish to wear gloves for this process, as the greenery can irritate skin.)

Mix your uncooked rice, whole and/or ground spices, cedar chips and greenery pieces, and essential oils in a large bowl and fill your fabric sachets with the aromatherapy rice mixture using a funnel.

Stitch the final inch of the hem closed. Make individual sachets or sets of three and tie them together with ribbon or twine and a small tag and a cinnamon stick, cedar leaf, or dried orange slice.

Handmade wooden scoop by Earlywood Designs.

Aromatherapy blends I used:

Cedar & Spice: 1 tbsp chopped cedar chips and greenery, 1 tbsp crushed cinnamon stick, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ tbsp ground cinnamon, ½ tbsp ground nutmeg, 3 drops cinnamon or cedar wood essential oils (optional) 

Citrus & Spice: 1 tbsp crushed cinnamon stick, ½ tbsp ground cinnamon, ½ tbsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp whole cloves, 3 stars of anise, 8 drops orange essential oil

CLICK HERE to download my sachet gift tags.

These aromatherapy sachets can be tucked under your pillow, or to freshen your linen cupboard or delicate clothing or sweater drawers. They can also be microwaved and used as hand warmers or on sore muscles, or chilled in the freezer and used to cool your neck or forehead when you're feeling under the weather.

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