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If the frou-frouness of lavender sachets offends you or your mate's masculine sensibilities-but you wish your closet would stop assailing your nostrils with assorted mystery smells-take a page from Barbara Milo Ohrbach, author of The Scented Room (1986, Clarkson Potter), who suggests recycling worn shirts into unfrilly air fresheners.
Using the pinstriped cotton from a men's shirt that has seen better days, you can make a scented bag that will camouflage itself nicely against work shirts and other male accoutrements. And if lavender's too girly, the outdoorsy aroma of cedar, patchouli, and orrisrot should be suitably rugged.Scented Shirt Sachets
Yields 4 ounces, or enough to fill four sachets
1 ounce rose petals
1 1/2 ounces patchouli leaves
1 ounce cedar shavings
1/2 ounce powdered orrisrot
2 drops patchouli oil
1. Cut a rectangle of fabric that measures 8x11 inches.
2. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch down the long open side and one short side, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
3. Fold the top of the bag about halfway down over the bag itself and iron. (This piece will stay tucked into the bag when turned right side out.)
4. Turn the bag right side out and fill it two-thirds full with potpourri mixture.
5. Tie it with an 18-inch length of 1/4-or 1/2-inch-wide ribbon, making a double knot and then a bow.
Potpourri mix
1. Mix all the ingredients in a glazed pottery bowl.
2. Put the potpourri into a brown paper bag lined with wax paper and store in a cool, dark place to age for a period of two weeks. Occasionally stir the contents with a wooden spoon to disperse and blend the oils.
3. When the potpourri has "cured," spoon it into the fabric bags and tie with ribbon.
Difficulty level: Easy
[Via Eco Artware]
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