Material for Lavender Bags

Gigervamp

Usually, you'd cut the lavender stems and hang up in bunches to dry out. The insects would also drop out then.

You could put the lavender on some newspaper and leave it outside in the sun to dry for a while. The insects will prolly toddle off to pastures new then.

If it still doesn't smell very much, just add a few drops of lavender essential oil if you have any.

rosieben

can you spread it out on a newspaper and clean them off with some tissue? - or if still on the stems, take them outside and brush the greenfly off ?

Lavender smells strongest after a few hours sunshine, I'm sure it will be fine.

edited to say - just read gigervamp's comment - really good idea to use some essential oil

Mumto2

Thanks again all.

When I'd discovered the greenfly, I'd shoved it all on the outside table so now drying nicely . It does actually smell a bit stronger as well.

I'm used to lavender that sets off a smell if you so much as brush past it, so a bit disappointed with this one.

Will have to slow DD down a bit. She's making them for her teachers end of year presents, but not sure they'll be that chuffed to get the insects as added extra's :eek:

Floss

rosieben wrote: »

I remember reading online someone who had made lavender bags from lacy hankies, she just laid the hankie out, put lavender in the middle and then drew the corners together and tied with ribbon - no sewing .....

That's how I make them for my drawers....loads of spare hankies after my mum died, loads of dried lavender from the plants in her garden and narrow lavender ribbon from John Lewis......voila!

Mumto2

Floss wrote: »

That's how I make them for my drawers....loads of spare hankies after my mum died, loads of dried lavender from the plants in her garden and narrow lavender ribbon from John Lewis......voila!

What a lovely thing to do, a great keepsake :grouphug:

Purse_String

There's a sale on at Abakan fabrics at the momment if you have a shop locally, useful for other sewing bits as well. Website available too.

akh43

I cut the deadheads of my lavender bush the other day in the hope of encouraging new flowers, can I use these in any way as they smell quite strongly of lavender and it seems a waste just to thrown them away, no stalks just the flower heads and maybe a short stalk. If so, how would I dry them as obviously can't hang them as not enough stalk (wish I'd have read this thread before cutting them!)

Thanks

silvercar

akh43 wrote: »

I cut the deadheads of my lavender bush the other day in the hope of encouraging new flowers, can I use these in any way as they smell quite strongly of lavender and it seems a waste just to thrown them away, no stalks just the flower heads and maybe a short stalk. If so, how would I dry them as obviously can't hang them as not enough stalk (wish I'd have read this thread before cutting them!)

Thanks

Can anyone answer this, as I have the same issue.

nanokitten

Just dry them on newspaper out of direct sunlight for a week or so (as they should be fairly dry already, it may take a few weeks otherwise. Pull the flowers off the stalks or chop the whole lot up small with scissors and add to potpourri or make the lavender bags as discribed above. If you are feeling especially lazy just stick it in envelopes, seal them and bung them in your knicker draw for lovely undies.
N.B you don't need a long stalk to hang and dry - just tie string or clip what end you have to a coat hanger or something and hang in the airing cupboard / spare room to dry.

Serena51

To dry - put in an old fashioned brown paper bag and leave to dry before use. Ideally you put them heads down and tie some string around the stems and top of bag and then hang up in the kitchen somewhere.

Bags - easiest and cheapest is old net curtains, if not got at home then from charity shop or jumble sales. Just sew in squares, fill in with lavender and sew to finish.


If they stop smelling then you could always try a spot or two of essential lavender oil.