Mother's Day Recycled Wool Moth Sachet!

by Aly

3.2K139

Intro: Mother's Day Recycled Wool Moth Sachet!

Because I love to sew and hate to waste, I save even the holiest sweaters and moth chewed wool garments. I wash them in the machine with hot water and even throw them in the dryer to rid them of any possible moth larva but then...
I decided what better revenge on the culprits then to drive them away with the items of their destruction.

STEP 1: Mix the Herbs

In a large bowl combine the following herbs:
4 cups dried lavender
2 cups dried rosemary
2 cups cedar shavings
1 cup dried thyme
1 cup dried artemisia
Then add:
50 drops of lavender oil
10 drops of rosemary oil
10 drops of vetiver (grass extract)
Toss the essential oils gently with dried herbs.

STEP 2: Sew Squares

Sew a 3 by 3 grid pattern on a handkerchief weight linen or cheesecloth fabric.
Sew double seams between columns.

STEP 3: Stuff Pockets

Cut out rows of pockets of open rectangles.
Scoop herb mixture partly full into open pockets, pinning closed as you go along.

STEP 4: Sew Tops Closed.

Then cut each sachet apart

STEP 5: Sandwich in Recycled Wool

Place sachets between 2 moth bitten or recycled wool squares. (You may want to decorate these ahead of time. I embroidered mine with yarn and also reinforced the seams with a felting tool.)

STEP 6: Sew Closed

and place in closets, wardrobes, bags of sweaters.
Enjoy your summer!

9 Comments

b1russell 14 years ago

You forgot the bergamot (the essential ingredient in Earl Grey tea), which has been used as a bug repellent since the Middle Ages - and probably before! Personally, I love the smell of thyme and use it for all sorts of things, including a steam treatment for stuffy heads (my middle son loved it, too - he was the "guinea pig" for that one)! Thanks for the great idea.

printemps 14 years ago

Any alternative to mothballs is a godsend. Mothballs are extremely toxic and are dangerous to humans and pets. In addition to this awesome sachet, you can use dampened cedar blocks or balls or non-toxic moth traps. Make sure that you put your unwanted mothballs in a hazardous waste bin. They are even dangerous in a landfill.

Aly 14 years ago

Not to mention the horrible smell. They also disappear over time, which makes you wonder w

arentnancy 14 years ago

This sounds like a plan to me, I store a large amount of wool fabric and yarn,and don't want poison in with them (like mothballs). Thanks for the recipe

Aly 14 years ago

The herbs are very pleasant.

mary.parry 15 years ago

This is a great idea, and something I really need. How well do they work? I have been fighting a loosing battle with moths, and hate moth balls. Also, my closet is currently without a door. Some of these ingredients are new to me. Any tips on where to buy them?

Aly 15 years ago

If you Google herbs, you will find a number of places that sell them online. Most moth recipes are some combination of these herbs. Some use mint as well. I added thyme because it also keeps bed bugs away. It won't kill the bugs so be sure everything is clean before you seal up your sweaters.

Maureclaire 15 years ago

Awesome ! I HATE moth balls ! Gonna try it for sure !