Summer is nearly over. Where does the time go??
I feel that with the age it does speed up!
Summer's over mean harvest is coming, including the... Lavender! This very popular garden herb can be enjoyed all year round and it's soothing qualities can help you sleep, sooth acne, repel insects or even sooth headaches. Lavender sachets can be kept suspended on coat hangers inside closets. They will fragrance your garments while stored.
Lavender is easy to harvest, even easier to dry and store, so if you have any Lavender growing in your garden watch for the harvest timing and let's make some Lavender Sachets to keep and enjoy!
(If you don't have it in your garden you can always purchase it here for a very reasonable price or check you local garden centre for stock.)
1. How to harvest Lavender?
Harvest lavender in autumn, wait until the last wave of flowers has dried on the stems but before the seed heads have fully opened. The best time to harvest lavender is in the late morning. This is when the plant is dry, the sun is less intense and the fragrance is the strongest. Cut a bunch of lavender stalks making sure that you leave a few inches of stem on the cut stalk.
2. How to dry Lavender?
Lavender dries fairly quickly, the simplest method is to lay the cut stalks flat on a dry counter-top or table. You can also spread it out on some old newspaper or a drying rack. You should ensure to keep your stalks are laid flat in the process. The lavender seeds will feel brittle once they’re done the drying.
You can also group about 15 – 20 stalks together and tie them with an elastic band for hanging. Once set, hang each bundle in a dark, warm and dry place. Keeping it in a dark and dry place will help the lavender preserve its scent and colour from fading fast. It's important though to leave enough space to allow air to travel between the stalks. Humid surroundings will cause mould to grow on the lavender stalks, rendering them useless.
If you don't want to wait for a natural drying you can also use an oven to speed up the process.
Here are steps you need to take to for drying lavender in the oven:
Set the oven to low heat at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius. Spread a thin layer of lavender on a sheet tray and place it in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the stalks are completely brittle. Keep the oven door slightly open while drying. This will allow for moisture to pass through effectively. If it still feels moist after 10 minutes, rotate the stalks and then leave it for 5 more minutes to dry.
Once done, remove the dried lavender seeds from stalks. Be careful as the blooms can be a bit prickly.
Dried buds can be kept in zip lock bags or clean and airtight mason jars. Then store in a cool dark place until you’re ready to use them.
3. How to make a Lavender Sachet?
Follow the video to find out how to make cute “9 patch” sachet to hang in your wardrobe or at your bedside.
You can use any cottons or linen fabrics for this project.
For “9 patch” I have used jelly roll set from Craft Cotton Co, "Sewing Bumble Bee" fabrics by Stuart Hillard. For the back I have used a piece of cotton from the local shop.
I hope you have enjoyed making Lavender sachets with me!
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Happy sewing !!
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