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This is a fun little project that is relatively easy to do for someone just trying out velvet embossing with rubber stamps. You can see my instructable for velvet embossing here.
I do provide embossing steps within this tutorial, but have some more specific information on the embossing process and materials in the other instructable.
I have made many of these balsam pine-filled sachets over the years to sell and to show off what our rubber stamps can do. The pine scent can last for years. (I had a housemate who used to stick her head into the boxes of balsam to inhale the smell - don't inhale too deeply!). Once your sachet is done, it can go into a drawer, closet or basket, but you may not want to hide it. You can set it out on display or attach a ribbon and hang it on a wall, knob, mantel, holiday tree, etc... Make a bunch as holiday stocking stuffers.
Of course, you can fill the sachets with whatever kind of filling you would like: lavender or dried potpourri. (I would avoid potpourris that have a lot of fragrance oil on them, as the oil may seep through the velvet and cause spotting/stains.)
I do provide embossing steps within this tutorial, but have some more specific information on the embossing process and materials in the other instructable.
I have made many of these balsam pine-filled sachets over the years to sell and to show off what our rubber stamps can do. The pine scent can last for years. (I had a housemate who used to stick her head into the boxes of balsam to inhale the smell - don't inhale too deeply!). Once your sachet is done, it can go into a drawer, closet or basket, but you may not want to hide it. You can set it out on display or attach a ribbon and hang it on a wall, knob, mantel, holiday tree, etc... Make a bunch as holiday stocking stuffers.
Of course, you can fill the sachets with whatever kind of filling you would like: lavender or dried potpourri. (I would avoid potpourris that have a lot of fragrance oil on them, as the oil may seep through the velvet and cause spotting/stains.)
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Signing UpStep 1Notes on Velvet & Stamps
Stamps
You will want stamps that are not too intricately detailed - the bolder and thicker the image the better. Deeper etch stamps are best (deep etch means that the image is raised higher from the floor of the stamp). We design stamps for velvet embossing - click here for info - but there are other resources, and you can emboss using any heat-safe item.
If you are using stamps, you will want your stamps to be backed with mounting cushion at least 1/8 thick. Having the stamp and cushion on a mounting block is fine, but not always necessary (assuming you are ironing on an iron-safe surface).
Polymer stamps are not very heat safe, although I have seen them used. Best to test with lower settings, and don't be surprised if the stamp cracks or discolors over time.
Also note that embossing with the same stamp over and over in one session can cause some mounting adhesives to melt and slip. Start out slow and get a feel for the materials you are using. You may simply need to allow a stamp to cool between embossing uses.
Velvet
For aesthetic and/or safety reasons, I recommend only acetate/rayon blends, silk/rayon blends or 100% silk or rayon. No nylon, acrylic or polyester.
You can find velvets for sale online.
Different blends and weights will produce different results. I used JB Martin velvets for the sachet shown in this tutorial. I prefer the Fidelio and Figaro acetate/rayon velvets by JB Martin. They emboss beautifully, and come in some wonderful colors. They are pricier than other velvets, but well worth it, and you can make quite a few sachets or several scarves from each yard.
You will want stamps that are not too intricately detailed - the bolder and thicker the image the better. Deeper etch stamps are best (deep etch means that the image is raised higher from the floor of the stamp). We design stamps for velvet embossing - click here for info - but there are other resources, and you can emboss using any heat-safe item.
If you are using stamps, you will want your stamps to be backed with mounting cushion at least 1/8 thick. Having the stamp and cushion on a mounting block is fine, but not always necessary (assuming you are ironing on an iron-safe surface).
Polymer stamps are not very heat safe, although I have seen them used. Best to test with lower settings, and don't be surprised if the stamp cracks or discolors over time.
Also note that embossing with the same stamp over and over in one session can cause some mounting adhesives to melt and slip. Start out slow and get a feel for the materials you are using. You may simply need to allow a stamp to cool between embossing uses.
Velvet
For aesthetic and/or safety reasons, I recommend only acetate/rayon blends, silk/rayon blends or 100% silk or rayon. No nylon, acrylic or polyester.
You can find velvets for sale online.
Different blends and weights will produce different results. I used JB Martin velvets for the sachet shown in this tutorial. I prefer the Fidelio and Figaro acetate/rayon velvets by JB Martin. They emboss beautifully, and come in some wonderful colors. They are pricier than other velvets, but well worth it, and you can make quite a few sachets or several scarves from each yard.
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Thanks so much!
Where did you sign up for a newsletter? Was it somewhere on Instructables? I didn't get any message...
On the velvet: It is not always easy to find the velvet in B&M stores. The place where I used to be able to find remnants of it in Massachusetts is now closing.
I need to update this page on my site, but here is some info about the types of velvet that can work and where you can find them: http://inklingsandimprints.net/pages/velvets.php
Notes:
- JoAnn Fabrics may not be able to special order JB Martin velvets anymore. Last I checked, they could, but a woman wrote to tell me that she went to her local store in Maine and was told "no".
- I will get in touch with JB Martin directly to ask for a list of retailers who carry their velvets.
- The Fabric Place in Massachusetts is closing. I am very sad. I think they are still liquidating stock from the Framingham location. It is possible that they would have Fidelio remnants there, but they used to get snatched up at their normal prices - I think they may have been the first items to go once they started pricing things for the closing.
- Within the past couple of years I bought some velvet at a well-known chain store that was marked as Fidelio velvet. Right on the trim - it wasn't just a store error. It didn't look or feel right, but I bought some anyway. It was not Fidelio velvet by JB Martin and after testing it out I determined that it probably had a high nylon content.
Just as an FYI, as it can be hard to be sure what you are getting if things are not clearly labeled or even mislabeled. It is probably worth pressing for more info if you do find something called Fidelio or Figaro. Check the fiber content (acetate and rayon), ask if it isn't labeled. Ask if they purchased it directly from JB Martin. Definitely be a bit wary if the pricing is less than $20 a yard (unless they are having a big sale). The "good stuff" is typically more than that - and worth it.Cheers
- Maggie