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Learn how to make charming DIY grain sack scented heart sachets with these easy tips and directions. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, or as festive decor.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to make these DIY grain sack heart scented sachets. They make a lovely gift…for someone else or for yourself. They do require a little bit of sewing, but if you don’t have a machine, hand-stitching will work just as well.
For this project, I used part of one antique grain sack, and two different antique tea towels. If you are wondering about the “AD,” the vintage tea towels came with the initials already embroidered. Sometimes, if you are patient and incredibly lucky, you can find vintage linens with embroidered initials that match your own. These tea towels were gifted to me by a friend who owns an Etsy shop, and they are treasures for sure.
The Method
My method for making heart sachets uses one cut-out heart, and one bigger piece of backing fabric. It took me a few years to perfect this method, and it’s definitely much easier than trying to sew together two hearts that are exactly the same size. It eliminates the need to line the front and back up perfectly, and makes the job go so much faster. This is the same method I use to make these little heart Christmas tree ornaments.
Supplies Needed
- Grain sack fabric for the top of the heart
- Backing fabric (scrap fabric or the plain part of the grain sack)
- Heart template: SMALL or LARGE
- Fresh lavender buds
- Cording or ribbon for hangers: 3 – 4 inches long
- Scissors
- Marking pen
Tips + Tricks
- Sometimes, antique grain sacks can be found with the ties still attached. More often than not, the ties are missing or too worn to use. If the ties are there, and still in good condition, they make perfect hanger loops for the heart sachets. I was fresh out of antique ties, so the hangers shown in these photos were made from tiny braided cording.
- The directions below are for one sachet made from grain sack. You can, of course, use any sort of fabric you like or have on hand. Some good choices in addition to the authentic grain sacks are tea towels, drop cloth, cloth napkins, etc.
- If you plan to make more than one sachet, use the assembly-line method. For example, trace all your hearts at once…then cut them all out…etc.
- When I don’t have these hearts on display in our home, they are stored in a plastic container with a tight lid. They look as perfect today as they did the day I made them. To refresh the lavender scent, simply add a drop of lavender essential oil to the back of a few hearts. In addition to using these hearts for Valentine’s Day decor, they can be used as Christmas tree ornaments.
How to Make a Heart Sachet
- Iron your grain sack fabric.
- Make a heart template out of heavy cardstock or cardboard. Using cardboard makes it much easier to trace.
- Being mindful of the grain sack stripes, trace a heart on your fabric, and cut it out. Cut inside the marking line so it doesn’t show on the finished heart.
- Cut a piece of backing fabric. The shape doesn’t matter, it just needs to be bigger than the heart.
- With WRONG sides together, sew the heart to the backing fabric. You can sew the heart by hand or use a sewing machine. If desired, insert a piece of cording into the “V” of the heart to use as a hanger. Leave an unstitched space on the side of the heart. This space should be about the width of a spoon.
- Using a spoon, fill the heart with lavender buds. (The big hearts take about 2 cups of lavender and the small hearts take about 3/4 cup.)
- After filling the heart sachets, sew up the unstitched space.
- Carefully cut out the back side of the heart.
Years ago, when I was sewing for my now-closed Etsy shop, I made hundreds of grain sack hearts. Some were sachets filled were lavender, some were Christmas tree ornaments filled with stuffing. Some had blue stripes and some had red. I wish I knew exactly how many I made, but I didn’t keep track. Of all those hundreds of hearts, I didn’t save even one for myself. How that happened, I will never know! I have wanted to share this project for a long time, but more than that, I wanted to make some hearts that I could keep.
I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. I loved the sewing, the photography, and writing the tutorial. These heart sachets take a little time to make, but it’s definitely time well spent, and the end result is totally worth it. If stored properly, these heart sachets can be used for many years. Hearts are classic, and always easy to add to your decor, no matter what the style.
Sources
The Price of Grain Sacks
When I first started collecting and sewing with antique grain sacks, I was able to find sacks that were in good condition, for a reasonable price. The price range was anywhere between $45 and $65. I recently looked around online and found that, like everything else, the price has gone up. Authentic vintage fabric is getting harder to come by, but it’s still available, and very much worth the time and effort it takes to find it.
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On my list to try! Wish me luck🤞
These are perfection. I’m thinking of using fabric paint to mimic the grain sack. The real things are gorgeous but $$$. Thank you for the inspiration.
Help, I luv these hearts but you lost me at “carefully cut out the back of the heart”. My daughter was born on Valentines day. She is sick with diseases and longcovid. Now sure about her future. But this would be perfect for her. She loves lavender scent n even the color. Please explain the last direction
I’m 75 and going to try n make this. I don’t machine sew anymore but can by hand. Thanks much.
The back piece starts off a bigger square than the front heart so after you sew the front and back together, you can trim the back to match the front. (Instead of making them exactly the same and then trying to line them up exactly while sewing them.)
Hi Ann
I love these little hearts.
How do you put your initials on them?
Thank you
Rose
The initials were already on the towels when I bought them! I think they could be embroidered if you know how to do that. Thank you!
I started these last week and they are so cute and smell so nice. I’m using old tea towels instead of grain sacks because that is what I had. Thank you for always having such fun ideas.
My mom just gave me some of her old hankies and this will be the perfect project to make them useful and pretty. Thank you!
Thank you Ann. This will be perfect for me to make and tuck in with my sister’s Valentines surprise!
The edges of this particular fabric doesn’t fray? They are so cute.
Hi Pat…not if the sachets are carefully handled. I’ve made many, many stuffed hearts and have never had a problem. Enjoy!
These are adorable. I have some lavender I grew and some old linens. I think I will pull them out and make some, too. Thank you for the instructions.
xo Dianne
Oh those are so cute!!
Torchons and grain sacks are so expensive to cut up….but there are also cute “fake” torchons at IKEA in their kitchen towels…
But this idea is darling! I’d love to do it to go with the quilts I make….
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Love them!! When you cut the back fabric to match the front does the fabric fray?
Hi Janice…no I have never had the fabric fray. If there are any loose strings they can be easily snipped.
Thanks for this great idea, Ann. I have lavender buds that I harvested from my yard, and some old, worn tea towels. I’m all set for my next snow day project.
I purchased two linen sachets from you when you had your etsy shop, and they’re still in my linen closet.
Thanks for all the wonderful things you do!
You say to sew them with wrong sides together but then don’t turn them inside out. Is the right?
Yes! You sew a cut-out heart onto the bigger piece of fabric. Then trim the bigger piece to match the heart. There is no turning involved.
I enjoyed this very much! I would like to see some up for my home too! Thanks for sharing!
I sure do too love the look of the grain sacks.. I love the look of linen and dropcloths and also vintage bark cloth (not sure if it’s spelled bark or barque!)…. I do love the raw edges and took me a few minutes to figure out why you said wrong sides together! duh.. I’ve sewn all my life and so used to “right sides together” on everything! Now I see why. I’ve hesitated to make stuffed hearts as have made a couple over the years and like you said, they are hard to stuff and sew closed. This idea makes it look much easier. I’m going to look on Etsy too for old vintage linen or towels, etc. Thank you for sharing! Marilyn from Oregon
I love those! So simple but unique. I think I will try making some.
Thanks for the tutorial!
Thanks Ann, this is a great little project and i love the smell of lavender.
Thank you for your handy hints on creating these beautiful grain sack hearts. I particularly appreciate the hint about cutting the back for the heart as a larger rectangle, sewing the wrong sides together and trimming. That makes so much sense and gives a great finished look to the whole project. I’m also glad you made some for yourself to keep! We crafters tend to give our goods away to all our family and friends. It’s good to hold something back, now and then. Enjoy!
Love that grain sack look!
Cute hearts I may just try this this time around
Love the hearts
Those sachet hearts are beautiful. Where do you purchase your lavender ?
Hi Jacqueline…either on Etsy or Amazon. There’s a link in the post!
Hi Ann,
I love the valentine hearts!!! So I am determined to get back on the site to get the grain sack fabric. I wanted to buy it with the ribbon tutorial, but life got busy. Maybe I will get lucky and find some with a tiny monogram!
This will be a great weekend project!!!
Thank you,
Carol
I love the crispness of the grain sack fabric and the neat way you sewed these. They are so pretty and clean looking – and show evidence of your skill !! Thanks for sharing and I’m glad you kept some for yourself.
Terrific!
From Australia
Ann,
These make great Valentines Day Gifts. Flowers are so wonderful but a small gift like these hearts last a long time. I keep mine in my lingerie drawers and they smell so nice.
Elaine
Your work is always beautiful AND inspires me to craft! Thanks for the valentine heart post…it’s a keeper!!
I followed you ; a long time ago..so glad to get acquainted again. Those are lovely hearts. I can’t sew a button on a shirt; with that being said, I will follow along and watch others do their magic:)
I love these! I would like to purchase scissors. Love them!!
Hi Julie! The scissors are vintage and I found them on eBay. If you search “bonzai shears” you will find numerous listings. I also just found these at Target from the Magnolia collection. They aren’t exactly the same but they are close. Here is my affiliate link: https://rstyle.me/n/cwv3ujb4svx
Brilliant. It never would have occurred to me to cut out one heart, sew it to a square or scrap piece of fabric and THEN cut around it to get the perfectly matched hearts. I will be using this shortcut in the future! Thank you.
I agree! Great technique!
Ann,
Where did you purchase your blanket ladder from?
Hi Denise! I got the blanker ladder from Kirkland’s but they are currently only offering ship-to-store. I found it on Wayfair too and here’s my affiliate link: http://rstyle.me/~agq6t
Dear Ann, These heart sachets are lovely just as everting you do. I can’t wait to sew some up for valentines for friends. You are always so generous. I should thank you more often for all of your beautiful and inspiring projects, recipes and printables. Thank you for your generosity, donna
I can’t wait to try these with my new sewing machine! I look so forward to receiving your e-mails, they are always full of great ideas! Thank you!
Thanks Ann for offering this. Just in time for that special day. I have been mentally fussing about little gifts for my quilting friends. We meet weekly and each try to present something special. This will suit the project nicely. Happy Valentines Day. *I purchased towels (several packs) at IKEA some time ago that have a similar texture to antique grain sack fabric. I use them when making pierogi! They will be just right.
Dear Ann, I can’t wait to sew up some of these sweet sachets. They are lovely as everything you do. Thank you for sharing. You are always so generous.
Thank you, Donna
Love this project!
I love the grain sack sachets …I know I will be making some of these Thank you
Love this!!!
Your handy work is always so spot on neat! I am curious as to your suggesting to sew WRONG sides together, yet not turning RIGHT sides out…as I see the hearts have seam allowances (shabby effect) out. I like that look, but wonder why WRONG sides together, then not turned vs. RIGHT sides together and not turning?
These little hearts are really hard to turn. I used to turn little Christmas stockings and it’s very time-consuming. The raw edge adds a bit of a farmhouse, vintage look that I like. Since they aren’t turned, by sewing the wrong sides together, you get the right sides on the outside where you want them. Hope this makes sense!
Hi Ann! Well…duh!! After I read and re-read your gracious reply…i realized what you were talking about, by sewing WRONG sides together, and leaving the RIGHT sides displaying and “shabby/vintage/farmhouse” edge outside the seam line! I’ve been sewing for years and guess I was “presuming”:-) LOL!
The valentines are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
These are adorable, Ann. I would been squeamish about cutting these up so I assume they had a stain of some sort. Your sewing is impeccable. I somehow lost touch with your blog. I’m putting it back on my blog roll.
Don’t be squeamish. I love repurposing vintage fabric!
I love the little hearts and I’m sure that smell of lavender is wonderful.
I’m embarrassed to say, I never thought of sewing a pattern like that to a bigger piece of fabric. Duh! I would have struggled to sew the two shapes together.
I love the hearts in the basket and good for you to make something for yourself to enjoy.
The hearts are beautiful. I have a couple of old tea towels from my mom. Now you got me to thinking of a new project coming up! Love your posts. PS, I now have your recently posted house pictures on my living room wall. Love them! Thanks.
Thank you for the tutorial Ann. Great tip to cut a larger backing! Spending this bitter cold day preparing the hearts to be stuffed. Appreciate the link to the lavender buds. Have a cozy day!
Ann,
These are so cute! I can’t wait to sit down and make up a few. Thanks for sharing this idea!
Hi Ann,
This goes wonderful with my other Lavender gifts that I have made. I have the poured soaps, bubbling bath salts, sugar scrub, lip balm and whipped body lotion. I am thinking of growing another lavender plant in my garden .I have two lovely ones already. Thank you Ann for your blog.😆
Love this!
Love them and you make it look so easy — If I ever find pretty grain sack, I will try!
Since we are having a winter snow and ice day and I cannot get to work this will be a good project for me today. I have some cloth napkins that will be perfect for this.
Appreciate you and how you keep us inspired.
Hi Ann,
Hope you are staying warm this winter. I love this project, and those hearts. I have your grain sack ornaments from several years ago. Oh how I miss your online shop. I can’t believe you found a grain sack with your initials. What a lucky find. I still enjoy your posts, but don’t write often. Stay warm and enjoy those sweet hearts.
Barbie
Love these!mam
I don’t know why the letters mam are in my comment 😂
Your version of Spell Check must have been raised in the South.
Your hearts are just beautiful. I love that each one is different from the other. Thanks for the tutorial.
Really great idea! So cute! And, you’ve reminded me that Valentine’s Day is around the corner.
These are beautiful, Ann. Thanks for the tutorial. I’ve got some fabric scraps I’ve been wanting to use for something and this is the perfect project for them.
Beautiful pictures.
I just love these!! I am guilty of the same thing- making for others and not keeping for myself!:) So glad you were able to make some for you! They look so pretty in your basket! And I love the tip on cutting the backing bigger- great idea! Thanks for sharing!
I have your lavender sachets you made about six years ago in my drawers and just love them. Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I grab a sachet and shake it a little and smell the lavender. I do think it helps me return to sleep. Your red hearts are perfect for Valentines Day.