| Herbal Pot-Pourri | | | | with down and horsehair, but the smell of the |
| Pot-pourri is a very traditional aromatic accessory | | | | grasses was replaced by an herbal pillow. During |
| for the home and many recipes have been | | | | the Victorian era, herb pillows were much |
| handed down through the generations. There are | | | | favored, particularly ones made from lavender |
| several ways to make pot-pourri. The oldest | | | | and roses. |
| method is for a moist pot-pourri where layers of | | | | Although it is traditional to slip herb pillows into the |
| rose petals, spices and salt are arranged in a large | | | | main pillowcase and therefore keep them out of |
| crock and left to rot down for six weeks or | | | | sight, they look best when decorated with plenty |
| more. The strength of scent is excellent but the | | | | of lace and ribbons, especially if you are giving |
| visual appearance is not good (the salt bleaches | | | | them as a present. |
| out all the color in the rose petals). That is why | | | | Many fabrics can be used for making pillows, |
| traditional pot-pourri jars are closed, with holes for | | | | ranging from plain calico that can be slipped into |
| the fragrance to waft through. | | | | the main pillowcase to antique linens and lace that |
| A prettier finished effect is gained by mixing | | | | give a really luxurious effect and deserve to be |
| flowers and herbs with essential oils and a | | | | left on show. The two most popular scents for |
| fixative, such as orris root. This is also a fairly | | | | inducing sleep are hops and lavender, but these |
| lengthy method but the finished effect can be | | | | fragrances do not blend well together so choose |
| lovely, particularly if some flowers are dried with | | | | one or the other. Both of these recipes smell |
| silica gel and placed on top for decoration. | | | | heavenly and will help you drift off into scented |
| As most of the projects here are for sachets or | | | | sleep. |
| other items where the herbs are hidden away | | | | Sweet Hop and Spice Mix |
| behind some fabric, the look of the finished | | | | 2 pints dried hops |
| pot-pourri is not of paramount importance. The | | | | 2 tbsp allspice |
| main point is that the scent should be strong and | | | | 2 tbsp orange peel, dried |
| long-lasting. When making small sachets it helps to | | | | 2 tbsp lemon balm leaves |
| use fairly small ingredients of an even size, so | | | | 1 tbsp allspice/orris mixture |
| there are no unsightly lumps and bulges in the | | | | 1 tbsp neroli (orange blossom)/orris mixture |
| sachets. The best answer for this is to use small | | | | Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing |
| sprigs of dried herbs and flowers with a much | | | | bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. |
| larger proportion of fixative. | | | | Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four |
| Many recipes call for powdered orris root, but I | | | | weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing |
| use cut and sifted orris or blue flag root instead, | | | | process. |
| as I find the powder spoils the outward | | | | Victorian Flower Sleep Mix |
| appearance of pot-pourri. However, as the recipes | | | | 3/4 pint dark red or pink scented rose petals |
| here are mainly for use on sachets, either | | | | 1/2 pint elderflowers |
| powdered or cut orris root will do. | | | | 1/2 pint lavender flowers |
| Many of the recipes here can easily be altered to | | | | 1/4 pint rosemary leaves (they keep away evil |
| suit whatever ingredients you have available. Once | | | | spirits!) |
| you have made several batches of your own | | | | 5 tbsp rose/orris mixture |
| pot-pourri you will become more courageous and | | | | 3 tbsp lavender/orris mixture |
| want to experiment. It is easy to make up your | | | | Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing |
| own recipes just keep to the basic guidelines on | | | | bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. |
| quantities of ingredients. | | | | Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four |
| Orris Root and Oil Mixture | | | | weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing |
| As a general note, I use a measuring jug when | | | | process. |
| measuring out the various dry ingredients, unless | | | | Making a Hop Pillow |
| they are measured by the spoonful. The orris | | | | To make a hop pillow, you will need the following |
| root is best mixed with the essential oil first and | | | | ingredients: |
| put into a small screw-top jar to mature for a | | | | 1/2 yard muslin |
| couple of days. If you are intending to make | | | | Sweet Hop and Spice Mix |
| several types of pot-pourri, I would suggest you | | | | 1/2 yard plain or patterned cotton lace or ribbons |
| build up a collection of jars with different orris | | | | Cut out two pieces of muslin, each approximately |
| root and essential oil mixtures which you can use | | | | 14x12 inches and machine or sew by hand around |
| as you wish. | | | | three sides. Turn right sides out and fill with the |
| Mix the oil and orris root in the proportions of 4 | | | | hop mix, then stitch up the fourth side firmly by |
| oz orris root to 1/2 fl oz essential oil. Once it has | | | | hand. Now cut out two pieces of the cotton, |
| matured for a couple of days you can use it by | | | | slightly larger than the muslin and allowing extra |
| the tablespoonful as indicated in the recipes. Make | | | | for seams approximately 16x14 inches. Placing |
| sure that you label the jars clearly, stating the | | | | right sides together, machine sew around three |
| particular essential oil you have used. The | | | | sides, incorporating the lace if you wish at this |
| collection of orris root/oil jars can then sit in a | | | | stage. Turn right sides out, then turn under the |
| neat row on your kitchen shelf or worktop, | | | | seam allowance on the fourth side and place the |
| where you can shake them occasionally to | | | | hop pillow inside. Finish the last edge by hand with |
| encourage the mixing process. Avoid storing them | | | | neat oversewing stitches. You can then decorate |
| in strong sunlight as it will reduce the strength of | | | | the pillow with lace or ribbons. |
| the essential oils. | | | | When the fragrance of the hop pillow begins to |
| Delicious Mint and Cinnamon Pot-Pourri | | | | fade, all you have to do is remove the inner filling, |
| 1/2 pint cinnamon pieces | | | | replace the hop mix with a new batch and then |
| 1/2 pint mint leaves, crumbled | | | | sew up the pillow again. This is quicker and easier |
| 2 tbsp cinnamon/orris mixture | | | | than having to replace loose contents in the |
| 1 tbsp apple/orris mixture | | | | cotton pillow. |
| 1/2 tbsp mint/orris mixture | | | | Handkerchief Pillow |
| Use a large mixing bowl and mix together all the | | | | The easiest way of all to make a pretty square |
| ingredients. As these recipes are mainly destined | | | | sleep pillow is to use pretty lace-edged |
| for use in sachets, you should break the cinnamon | | | | handkerchiefs. Most of the work is done for you |
| pieces up fairly small. Having mixed it well, turn the | | | | then, and a pretty pillow can be made in a very |
| mixture into a large jar or polythene bag and seal. | | | | short time. |
| Put it away for two to four weeks, shaking it | | | | You will need: |
| regularly to ensure even distribution of the oil | | | | 4 lace-edged handkerchiefs |
| mixtures. Check the smell after two weeks; if the | | | | 1/2 yard plain white cotton lawn or cotton |
| aroma seems satisfactory you can use it, but if | | | | 1/2 yard muslin |
| not, you should wait another couple of weeks. If | | | | Join the four handkerchiefs together in a square |
| you are still not happy with the smell, try adding | | | | by oversewing the edges or using a zigzag stitch |
| other orris root/oil mixes until you like the balance | | | | on a sewing machine. Cut the cotton backing to |
| of the fragrance. | | | | the same size as the square of four |
| Lemon Pot-Pourri | | | | handkerchiefs and then turn in the edges by the |
| 1/4 pint lemon verbena leaves | | | | depth of the lace so the square fits the fabric |
| 1/4 pint lemon balm leaves | | | | area of the four handkerchiefs. Machine-stitch |
| 1/4 pint lemon thyme leaves | | | | around three sides of the fabric, leaving the lace |
| 1/2 pint lemon and orange peel, dried and chopped | | | | free and one side open. Make a square muslin |
| 1 tbsp bay leaves, crumbled | | | | pillow as described for the hop pillow and fill with |
| 1/4 pint mint leaves | | | | any of the sachet mixes the Victorian flowers |
| 3 tbsp lemon/orris mixture | | | | mix might be the most suitable. Insert the muslin |
| 2 tbsp neroli (orange blossom)/orris mixture | | | | pad and close the pillow with small slip stitches. |
| 1 tbsp mint/orris mixture | | | | You can decorate the top of the cushion with |
| Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing | | | | some ribbon bows if you wish. |
| bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. | | | | Small Perfumed Sachets |
| Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four | | | | Smaller sachets have many uses; they can be |
| weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing | | | | tucked in drawers and cupboards, or used to |
| process. | | | | scent linen cupboards or lingerie. There is nothing |
| Herbs and Spices Pot-Pourri | | | | more glamorous than a drawer that exudes a |
| 1/2 pint ginger root | | | | lovely floral aroma whenever it is opened. Desks |
| 1/4 pint cinnamon sticks | | | | can benefit from sharper scents if work has to |
| 1/4 pint star anise | | | | go on through the night, a sachet filled with basil |
| 3-4 nutmegs, broken | | | | to relieve tiredness, or cardamom to help |
| 1/4 pint angelica root | | | | concentration, might be appropriate. |
| 6-8 bay leaves | | | | To sleep in bedlinen scented with the sweet smell |
| 1/4 pint lavender flowers | | | | of lavender has long been a luxury. The easiest |
| 1/4 pint rosemary | | | | way to make little sachets to give as presents, or |
| 1/2 pint sage leaves | | | | to use yourself, is to buy a collection of pretty |
| 1 tbsp thyme | | | | lace-edged handkerchiefs. Place a couple of |
| 5 tbsp allspice/orris mixture | | | | tablespoons of one of the mixtures in the center |
| 3 tbsp cinnamon/orris mixture | | | | of each handkerchief, gather up the edges and tie |
| 1 tbsp thyme/orris mixture | | | | with pretty ribbons to make an elegant and |
| 1 tbsp rosemary/orris mixture | | | | fragrant bundle. |
| Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing | | | | If you wish to use a printed or plain fabric, you |
| bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. | | | | can cut out two pieces of fabric of the size you |
| Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four | | | | require, with a small allowance for seams. Sew |
| weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing | | | | around three sides of the main sachet and |
| process. | | | | similarly on two slightly smaller pieces of muslin. |
| Herb Garden Harvest | | | | Turn the muslin right sides out, fill with pot-pourri |
| 1/4 pint lemon verbena leaves | | | | and sew up the fourth edge by hand. Turn the |
| 1/2 pint rosemary leaves | | | | cotton sachet right sides out, insert the muslin |
| 1/2 pint lavender flowers | | | | sachet and sew up the fourth edge by hand. It is |
| 1/4 pint lemon balm | | | | not essential to make the muslin liner but it does |
| 1 tbsp thyme | | | | save time when renewing the sachet as you can |
| 1 tbsp crumbled bay leaves | | | | throw away the old sachet and replace it with a |
| 1/4 pint sage leaves | | | | new one. A liner also reduces the likelihood of the |
| 1/2 pint oregano | | | | oils staining the outer cover. |
| 1/2 pint scented geranium leaves | | | | Padded Coat Hangers with Fragrant Sachets |
| 5 tbsp geranium/orris mixture | | | | Another luxury with a practical purpose is a |
| 4 tsp lavender/orris mixture | | | | padded coat hanger that has a matching sachet |
| 1 tbsp rose/orris mixture | | | | hanging from its center. Padded hangers are much |
| Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing | | | | kinder to clothes than ordinary wire ones and are |
| bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. | | | | less likely to leave hanger marks on delicate |
| Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four | | | | fabrics. The sachet can be hung inside the article |
| weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing | | | | of clothing, making it fresh and fragrant the next |
| process. | | | | time it is worn. You can either use a flowery |
| Spicy Lavender Pot-Pourri | | | | pot-pourri mix or the moth chaser recipe, which |
| 1/2 pint lavender flowers | | | | will keep away moths and help to protect woolen |
| 1/4 pint cornflowers | | | | clothing in particular. |
| 1/4 pint cloves | | | | You will need: |
| 1/2 pint crushed cinnamon sticks | | | | 6 wooden coat hangers |
| 1/2 pint pink rose petals | | | | 1/2 yard wadding |
| 2 tbsp lavender/orris mixture | | | | 1/2 yard printed cotton |
| Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing | | | | 2 yards 1/2-inch wide ribbonmatching cottonextra |
| bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. | | | | ribbon for bows |
| Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four | | | | Cut a strip of wadding 36x2 inches and wind it |
| weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing | | | | around a coat hanger, stitching it securely at each |
| process. | | | | end. To cover the hook, fold 1 inch of ribbon over |
| Moth Chaser Sachets | | | | at the end and then bind the remaining ribbon |
| 1/4 pint Santolina, crushed | | | | tightly all the way down the hook. Stitch the end |
| 1/4 pint Artemisia | | | | of the ribbon to the wadding at the base of the |
| 1/4 pint mint leaves | | | | hook, then cut off the surplus ribbon. |
| 1/4 pint rosemary leaves | | | | Cut out a piece of the fabric about 4 3/4 inches |
| 5 cinnamon sticks, crushed | | | | wide and slightly longer than the hanger, then fold |
| 1/4 pint cloves | | | | it in half lengthwise with the right sides together. |
| 1/4 pint lemon peel, dried and chopped | | | | Stitch across both short ends. Turn to the right |
| 1/4 pint lemon-scented geranium leaves | | | | side. Neaten the raw edges on the long sides by |
| 3 tbsp lavender/orris mixture | | | | folding the seam allowance over and pressing or |
| 3 tbsp clove/orris mixture | | | | tacking it into position. Press a crease line along |
| 2 tbsp lemon/orris mixture | | | | the bottom of the casing. |
| Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing | | | | Place the wadding-wrapped hanger inside the |
| bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. | | | | fabric casing, with the open edges along the top |
| Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four | | | | of the hanger. Pin in position while working. Join |
| weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing | | | | the seam edges with running stitch, leaving the |
| process. Use in sachets that can be hung in | | | | cotton loose at the end. Also sew running stitches |
| cupboards or laid in drawers to ward off fierce | | | | along the bottom crease and again leave the |
| moths. | | | | cotton loose at the end. Pull both ends of the |
| Christmas Sachet Mix | | | | hanging threads to form gathers all along the |
| 1/2 pint pine needles | | | | hanger, then secure the threads tightly. The |
| 1/2 pint conifer leaves | | | | hanger can now be decorated with a large or |
| 1/4 pint bay leaves, crushed | | | | small bow. Make a matching sachet in the same |
| 1/4 pint eucalyptus leaves, crushed | | | | way as for the small perfumed sachets, then |
| 1/2 pint orange peel, dried and chopped | | | | hang it from the hook with some ribbon or lace. |
| 1/4 pint cinnamon sticks, chopped | | | | Gentleman's Mix |
| 1/4 pint allspice berries | | | | Most pot-pourri and sachet mixes are rather too |
| 5 tbsp pine/orris mixture | | | | feminine for a man's wardrobe. So here is a mix |
| 3 tbsp orange/orris mixture | | | | that would suit most men and might appeal to |
| 2 tbsp allspice/orris mixture | | | | some ladies as well! |
| Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing | | | | 1/4 pint lemon verbena leaves |
| bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. | | | | 1 tbsp mint leaves |
| Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four | | | | 1 tbsp cloves |
| weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing | | | | 1 tbsp rosemary |
| process. | | | | 1/4 pint raspberry leaves |
| Hop Pillows | | | | 1 tbsp lemon/orris mixture |
| For centuries, hop pillows have been popular | | | | 1 tbsp mint/orris mixture |
| remedies for combating insomnia and promoting | | | | 1 tbsp oregano/orris mixture |
| restful sleep. Originally, mattresses would have | | | | Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing |
| been filled with grasses and herbs, which is why | | | | bowl and place in a large jar or polythene bag. |
| the plant Galium ordorata is commonly known as | | | | Seal and put away in a dark place for two to four |
| 'ladies bedstraw' or 'hedge bedstraw'. From there | | | | weeks, shaking occasionally to help the mixing |
| we progressed to stuffing pillows and mattresses | | | | process. |