These lovely traditional lavender bags make use of a natural resource that you can grow in your garden & dry yourself in a warm dry area (or find a neighbour who has some growing & doesn't mind sharing their lavender love with you). English Lavender -Lavandula Augustifolia is a hardy yet richly scented form of lavender and although lavender grows in many forms throughout the UK, most producing a lovely smell, the deep scent of English Lavender is by far the best if you are able to get it. Lavender will grow well in a pot if you only have a yard or a sill as a resilient grower and also is a wonderful friend to the bees -helping you support our planet's biodiversity.
In this session we will learn how to use dried lavender to build on a previous craft activity Fabric Gift Pouches/Bags so you can create something lovely & personal with very few embroidery stitches. This activity is suited to those with starter sewing knowledge - approximately age 7 upwards, but if you have a younger interested child, then take the time with them to learn together, it's possible. Items Required: Small fabric pouch/bag - self made...follow the link above, or shop bought Dried Lavender - self picked & dried, or shop bought
Embroidery needle Embroidery threads of choice (I used a purple thread & a green thread as I was embroidering a lavender flower)
Scissors
Dressmakers chalk or pencil (to put the design elements onto the fabric)
Pencil
Ruler
Paper (enough for the size of your pouch/bag as you will draw your design onto it)
Whilst using this resource to inspire learning, know you are helping you and your family's wellbeing by: 1) Get Active - Take a walk around the neighbourhood with your family and see if you can identify any sources of naturally growing lavender and perhaps someone willing to share some with you before you consider purchasing any!
2) Keep Learning - Use this session to learn how to develop three basic embroidery stitches - running stitch, back stitch & lazy daisy chain stitch, once confident this may develop into beginners love of needle work. This session also allows you to become more confident in looking out for plants that you may want to grow yourself & know how to use with confidence. It is best to pick the lavender at bud stage just before they flower for the best scent, but they may stay in bud for a long time depending on the variety. Once you have picked your lavender, lay them out in a warm dry place and leave for a week to two weeks to ensure they are thoroughly dried out.
3) Be Mindful- When collecting lavender buds take only what you need. Rather than just gathering all the lavender you come across, consider planting and growing more of it. Perhaps if the neighbour has a large shrub of it - they may be prepared to let you take a piece with you to pot up yourself - you can only ask kindly and be happy with whatever they reply. Lavender is an easy to care for and hardy plant in outdoor UK weather and it is also a good source of pollen for the bees and other insects. Try this for a mindful moment with your family: all take a couple of buds and a piece of the leaf from the lavender and rub them between your fingers, then close your eyes and gently inhale the smell from your fingers. Focus on what the exact smell it is, and notice how you react to it & then appreciate that THIS is only one aspect of lavender. When you are ready open your eyes again.
4) Practice Kindness - These are wonderful lavender bags to share with family and friends - there doesn't need to be an occasion, make and gift with kindness. Be kind with yourself when learning the stitches and encourage this with your family too - if it is a first few times with embroidery or with these stitches, it's alright if you make mistakes or get it wrong or give up and have to come back to it. Practice patience and kindness with yourselves.
5) Think Community - Remember to thank with a lavender pouch or a card if you were able to gather from a neighbours garden, and post your wonderful lavender bags and designs below and share any tips you may have.