In making sachets, small muslin bags with a drawstring at the
opening are excellent for this purpose, and may be purchased at craft shops. If you
choose to make your own bags choose lightweight fabrics, preferably 100% cotton, cotton
blends, silk, chintz, calicos and chantilly lace. Bags may be made into decorative shapes,
mini pillows or baggy dolls. Large packets do well for trunks, drawers or closed storage
areas. Small packets are better for travel bags, suitcases and purses. Sachet mixtures
usually need more fixatives because the dry ingredients do not retain their essences very
long. Colorful botanicals may be added to enhance a decorative sachet. Essential oils are
often necessary to perk up fragrances.
RECIPES:
ROSE SACHETS
1. Rose petals 2lbs. Sandalwood, coarsely ground 1lb. Oil of Rose or Rose geranium 1/4oz
2. Rose petals 10oz Orris root 8oz Lavender flowers 2oz Oil of bitter almond 5 drops
LAVENDER SACHET
Lavender flowers 1/2 pound Orris root 2oz Oil of lavender 1/4oz
FLORAL BOUQUET SACHET
Orris root 4oz Sandalwood, coarsely ground 4oz Rose petals 4oz Orange peel 4oz Tonka beans
4oz Oil of Rose 12 drops Oil of Bergamot 12 drops Oil of neroli 5 drops Oil of Lyang-Lyang
5 drops Oil of rose geranium 5 drops Oil of cinnamon 3 drops oil of bitter almond 3 drops.
FIELD SACHET
Calamus root 4oz Corriander seed 4oz Orris root 4oz Rose petals 4oz Lavender flowers 2oz
Mace, ground 1/2oz Cinnamon 1/2oz Cloves 1/2oz The first three ingredients should be
coarsely ground. Mix well.
FIXATIVES FOR SACHETS AND POTPOURRI
Fixatives are those botanicals that should
be added to sachets, potpourris and perfumes to help retain their fragrances. As most
fragrance evaporates in time, fixatives are necessary to slow this process.
The following botanicals are highly regarded for their fixative qualities in the field of
aromatics. Balsam of Peru Balsam of tolu Gum Benzoin Burgundy pitch Calamus root Clary
sage herb Khus-Khus (vetivert) root Opopanax gum Orris root Patchouli leaves Storax resin
Sumbul root Tonka beans Oil of bitter almond may serve as a fixative in place of animal
products.. For those wanting a musk-like scent in their mixtures, Sumbul root can be
used.. The fragrance of most aromatic botanicals dissipates with age, but there are a few
that actually increase their scent if kept in a confined space such as drawers, closets or
trunks.. Several of the most pleasant of these are Khus-Khus (Vetivert), Orris root,
Calamus roots, and Master-of-the-woods and Customary herbs. They are good additions to
sachet and potpourri mixtures.
FRAGRANT INSECT REPELLENTS
An early practical use of sachets and
potpourri was to help repel insects and pests from the household and it's contents
including the inhabitants.. The addition of one or more of the following ingredients in a
mixture or used alone, may help deter the encroachment of insects.. The enemy The remedy
Ants Tansy, fresh flowers Fleas Fennel, powdered Fleas or lice Pennyroyal herb or oil
Flies Tansy, fresh flowers Insects in linen Customary, lavender, rosemary,or woodruff
Mosquitoes Decoction of pennyroyal Moths Lavender or rosemary Spiders Khus-Khus (vetivert)
Heliotrope Sachet.
Powdered orris, 2 lbs.; rose leaves, ground, 1 lb.; Tonqua beans, ground, 1/2 lb., Vanilla
beans, 1/4 lb.; grain musk, 1/4 oz.; otto of almonds, 5 drops. Well mix by sifting in a
coarse sieve, it is fit for sale.
Lavender Sachet.
Lavender flowers, ground, 1 lb.; gum benzoin, in powder, 1/4 lb.; otto of lavender, 1/4
oz.
Millefleur Sachet.
Lavender flowers, ground, orris, rose leaves, benzoin, each, 1 lb.; cinnamon, allspice,
each, 2 oz.; tonqua, vanilla, santal, each, 1/4 lb.; musk and civet, each, 2 drs.; cloves,
ground, 1/4 lb.
Portugal Sachet.
Dried orange peel, 1 lb.; dried lemon-peel, 1/2 lb.; dried orris-root, 1/2 lb.; otto of
orange-peel, 1 oz.; otto of neroli, 1/4 dr.; otto of lemon-grass, 1/4 dr.
Rose Sachet.
Rose heels, 1 lb.; santal wood, ground, 1/2 lb.; otto of roses, 1/4 oz.
Santal Wood Sachet.
This is a good and economical sachet, and simply consists of the ground wood. Santal wood
is to be purchased from some of the wholesale dry-salters; the drug-grinders are the
people to reduce it to powder for you - any attempt to do so at home will be found
unavailable, on account of its toughness.
Vervaine Sachet.
Lemon peel, dried and ground, 1 lb.; lemon thyme, 1/4 lb.; otto of lemon-grass, 1 dr.;
otto of lemon-peel, 1/2 oz.; otto of bergamot, 1 oz.
Violet Sachet.
Black-currant leaves, rose leaves, each, 1 lb.; powdered orris-root, 2 lbs.; oil of bitter
almonds 1/2 dr.; grain musk, 1 dr.; tonqua beans and gum benzoin, each, 1/2 lb. Mix
thoroughly and keep together a week before offering for sale.
Frangipanni
Sachet.
Take orris-root and rose-leaves, each 1 lb.; sandalwood, 1/4 lb.; Tonqua beans, 1/4 lb.;
musk, 1 dr.; civet, 1/4 dr.; essence of roses, 1/2 dr. Triturate the musk, civet, and
essence of roses, and mix with the other substances reduced to a powder.