Spicy Snowflake Sachets

 

Ribbon embroidery, anyone?

Yes, please!

 

These Spicy Snowflake Sachets should deliver some seasonal cheer to the recipients!

I've been wanting to try ribbon embroidery for ages, so when I found myself needing 3 thank-you gifts this week, I decided to go for it!  It seemed the perfect opportunity to grab red ribbon, linen and a special button to make sachets. 

 

Stitching with ribbon is a little trickier than working with embroidery threads.  First difference is securing the ribbon for stitching (you don't tie the end into a knot and you also need to secure the end that passes through the eye of the needle before you can start embroidering your design).  Once  the ribbon has been secured, at both ends, you can start stitching.  Then you must watch for the ribbon twisting as you form stitches - not difficult to remedy (place your thumb under the ribbon as you gently pull the ribbon to form the stitch - the slack in the ribbon means you can untwist it as you stitch).  When the stitching is complete, you must take a couple of stitches into ribbon already stitched, on the wrong side of your work, to secure the ribbon (again - no knots!). 

Oh, and the other tricky bit was doing French knots.  There seemed to be a balance in how tightly you wrap the ribbon around the needle to form the knot - too tight and you won't have an easy time pushing the needle through - too loose and you won't form a French knot! I sorted it out though, and I have to say I love the way those ribbon French knots look.

 

For the back of the sachets I wanted to add a tag of some fashion.  I came up with simply using rubber stamps and a fabric marker to spell things out.

 

 

Each sachet is slightly different because I went free handed with the stamping, but I'm okay with the handmade look. ;o)

 

The finishing touch is dotted ribbon and a red button for each sachet.  The very best part though, is the mix I used to fill each sachet.  I combined whole spices, such as cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves and allspice, to create a very spicy scent for the sachets.  My sons say the sachets remind them of their favourite cookies, "Peppernuts"( the recipe I use has been with me since I was a 10 year old and copied from a neighbour who introduced me to this spicy, delicious cookie.)  Peppernuts are German in origin and known as Pfeffernusse cookies. 

 

I'm so happy with how these sachets look, that they stitch up quick and look (and smell) quite festive.  They could even double as ornaments, I'm thinking. I hope the recipients like them!

 

 

I'm linking up with Amanda Jean for

 

Finish-it-up-Friday!