How to Make Sachets | Simple Stitch-and-Fill Steps

For the full breakdown, see our best Closet Sachets guide.

Making sachets is one of the easiest fabric crafts you’ll try. You need fabric, a needle and thread (or fabric glue), and something fragrant to tuck inside. The finished pouches freshen drawers, quiet linen closets, and make thoughtful gifts without costing much or taking more than an hour.

Fabric And Filler Basics

The classic construction uses two matching fabric pieces, right sides together. Sew three sides with a running stitch or machine straight stitch, leave a 1/2-inch seam allowance, then turn the pouch right-side out. Press the edges flat with an iron so the finished seams sit crisp.

Filling choices change what the sachet does. Dried lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, and hops bring fragrance. Rice, buckwheat, cherry pits, or flaxseed add weight and help absorb moisture. For a pourable round sachet, start with about 1/4 cup of filler. A glued version works best at about 2/3 full, while a stitched pouch can take roughly 3/4 full before the seams strain.

Store the mixed filler in an airtight container or ziplock bag until assembly to keep the fragrance fresh and the oils from evaporating early.

Sewing And Gluing: Step-by-Step

Cut two squares at least 4 inches across; 4×4-inch pieces finish around 3×3 inches. For a rectangular drawstring sachet, cut fabric 5 by 13 inches and fold it instead. Follow these steps for a basic stitched pouch.

1. Cut two matching fabric squares, then pin them with right sides together.
2. Sew or glue three sides shut, leaving one full side open. Backstitch the ends so the seam doesn’t unravel.
3. Turn the pouch right-side out and press the seams with an iron.
4. Spoon in the dried filler. Keep it loose enough that the pouch sits soft, not stretched.
5. Fold the open edge inside and hand stitch it closed with a ladder stitch, slip stitch, or backstitch.

For a no-sew version, fabric glue holds the three sides together. Let the glue dry fully before turning the pouch, and use a 1/2-inch seam allowance so the glued edge doesn’t show. Tie the final opening shut with ribbon, twine, or string instead of sewing if you prefer.

When the sachet is finished, the seams should look even with no filler escaping from the corners. If you used scented rice, be careful while filling — the grains spill easily and roll everywhere.

Scent Strength And Safety

Keep essential oil light. Too many drops saturate the fabric and make the fragrance overpowering instead of pleasant. Oil can also soak through thin fabric and stain nearby clothes, so avoid placing heavily oiled sachets directly against delicate silks or light-colored linens.

Overfilling is the other common mistake. A pouch packed too tightly bulges at the seams, which strains the stitching and lets filler escape through gaps. For a closet or drawer sachet measuring about 3×3 inches, roughly 1/4 cup of filler is the right starting point; adjust by feel when you close the fourth side.

Where To Use Finished Sachets

Set sachets anywhere a light fragrance helps. Drawers, linen closets, and small wardrobes are the classic spots. Place them beside folded towels or between stacks of sweaters, out of direct contact with anything you worry might stain. If you’re replacing a sachet that lost its scent, refresh it with a drop or two of oil on the outside fabric rather than re-stuffing the whole pouch.