Stenciled Bird balsam sachets are can be used for more than Christmas. My mother loves the smell of Pine whether it Pine Balsam or Pine-Sol. Me not so much I much prefer a softer smell. Last year I need to make a piece for the Crafts N Things Christmas Issue and these sachets are what I created. When my mom saw the past issue she requested some in non-Christmassy colours that she could place in her entry and in the mudroom of her home. Being the wonderful daughter that I am I have not gotten around to it, LOL But I will.
This is a basic run-down of how to make the balsam sachets. (I order my supplies from Amazon and if you order from my links I will make a small commission.) To make them smell so great, you will need Fragrant Dried Balsam Tips.
Supplies for balsam sachets:
I recommend working “assembly style” and making multiple balsam sachets at a time; once you get the hang of it.
- 5×6 template
- Stick Fusible Webbing
- Fragrant Dried Balsam Tips.
- White muslin
- Red velvet fabric or fabric of your choice
- Sewing machine and coordinating thread (this links to starter machines)
- fabric scissors (have a pair dedicated to fabric only)
- straight pins
- rotary cutter with mat (a must have if you are going to sew a lot)
- iron and pressing surface (This iron heats up fast)
- needle this is a great package to have it covers most of your sewing needs.
- left over dryer sheets
- Polyfil Fiberfill
Instructions for balsam sachets:
- Cut muslin to desired size and place muslin on a covered work surface and stencil on your desired image.
- Allow the image to dry completely before adding fusible webbing. The webbing is optional.
- Add webbing to back of stenciled muslin.
- Cut the fabric for the bags a few inches bigger than the stenciled muslin piece. Your sizes can vary if needed to maximize the use of your fabric.
- You can sew the stenciled muslin on to the fabric or wait until you have a bag made and iron it on.
- Measure 1 1/2 inches from top and mark along side edge. Make a second marking 1 inch below that and stitch the side with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. This will allow you to make the side seams. The bag will now be a tube. Flatten so it will have the side seam along the center back. Stitch bottom closed.
- Fold top edges over toward inside to form casing and sew a straight stitch.
- Now is a good time to create your dryer sheet sachet. You will need one used dryer sheet cut to two pieces of 3 1/2″ squares. Straight three sides of the dryer sheet together.
- Fill the sachet with a small hand full of balsam. Straight stitch the top opening closed to secure. (Note- if you are not comfortable machine stitching with the balsam inside the sachet, hand stitch. When machine stitching, make sure you do not overstuff the sachet. You don’t want to end up with balsam inside your machine parts!)
- Stuff the sachet with the balsam sachet and a small amount (golf ball sized) of polyfil stuffing.
- Tie a bow with a ribbon to the top of the balsam sachets and you are finished.
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