Free Lavender Crafts: Lavender Wands and Lavender Bottles!
by Jane Lake
Ladies have been making lavender wands and lavender bottles for centuries.
They are simple to make, and you'll find step-by-step photos to follow right on this page. Use the finished lavender wands or lavender bottles just as you would a scented sachet.
If you like this lavender craft, you may also enjoy making a Lavender Fan
Lavender Bottles and Lavender Wands
Project Supplies:
For each lavender bottle, all you will need is about 13 or 14 lavender flower stems, with the stem, measured from the bottom of the flower bud, being at least six inches long. You'll also need either thin twine or thin ribbon to tie.
For the lavender wands, you will need 13 long stemmed lavender flowers and your choice of thin ribbon. The ribbons shown in our two samples are about 1/2" wide, but narrower ribbon would work very well - it will just take a little longer to weave.
How to make Lavender Bottles:
Gather about 13 or 14 lavender flower stems and allow them to wilt for a while, until flexible. Tie in a bunch, with a 12" length of thin string or twine fastened just below the flower heads, as shown in photo at far left.
Take one end of the string and wind it clockwise around the lavender flowers, ending at the top. Take the other end of the string and wind it counterclockwise, ending at the top. You will only need to go around the flowers two or three times. Tie both ends of the string together and trim remaining ends. See photo at left for details.
To finish, bend each stem up and over the flower heads. Try to get the stems fairly evenly spaced to create a "basket" effect. Tie the stems together just past the end of the flower heads with string or narrow ribbon, finishing with a small bow, as shown in picture on the right. Cut stems evenly and hang to let the completed lavender bottle dry out completely.
How to make Lavender Wands:
Gather 13 long stemmed lavender flower stems and allow them to wilt for a while, until flexible. Hold the stems together and stagger the flower heads a little to avoid bunching and to lengthen the flower bud shape. Tie a 40" piece of 1/2" ribbon just below the flower heads, leaving one end of the ribbon about 10 inches, and the other end about 30" long, as shown in the photo at far left.
Note: Narrower ribbon, 1/4" or smaller, could be used very effectively in this craft. If you do use narrower ribbon, just be aware that you will need a longer length to complete the weaving and make adjustments accordingly.
Fold the shorter length of ribbon up into the flowers, then fold all of the stems up and over the flowers as well, as shown in the photo at left.
Begin weaving the longer ribbon in a simple under and over pattern through the stems. You will need to keep the tension even, and to adjust the placement of the stems to keep them evenly spaced, especially on the first two rows of the weaving pattern.
Push in the loose ribbon end and any stray lavender buds as you work, increasing the tension as you get toward the end of the flowers to close in the wand.
When you have finished weaving, tie the two ribbon ends together to secure. You can now finish the lavender wand in a number of ways - you can simply tie a bow in the two ends of the ribbon and even off the stems, leaving them in a natural state. Or, if you have enough ribbon left, you can wind it around the stems in a spiral, bringing it back up to tie in a ribbon with the shorter ribbon end, as shown in our examples at right. Or you can tie the ribbon in a long loop for convenient hanging.
Once you have made one lavender wand, you can experiment...try weaving over and under two stems placed together, or varying the weave design. Try different widths and types of ribbon...regardless of the end result, you are sure to find a use for every lavender wand that you produce.
Suggested Uses for Lavender Bottles or Wands
Try hanging several lavender bottles in your clothes closet
Hang just one around the neck of a clothes hanger to imbue your favorite blouse with a delicate scent of lavender.
Tuck several lavender wands in your lingerie drawer or linen cupboard.
Make lavender wands or lavender bottles to give as gifts. What could be nicer to receive than a specially wrapped gift embellished with a lavender wand...or even better - an entire selection of homemade lavender wands, nestled in an attractive basket or box?
I went to my first Lavender Festival and learned how to make a Lavender Wand. They are quite easy to make, mainly you need really fresh lavender. I placed a few wands in my car and enjoy that first scent as I enter my car. What a wonderful thing.
Joyce Ford – South Carolina
Jun 15, 2009 - 17:06
I've grown both the English and Mediterranean lavendar with wonderful results here in SC. I'm so pleased to have found this craft site in my searches for things to do with the flowers. Thank you!
nancy heath – chesterfield virginia
Jun 08, 2009 - 21:49
this is my first year growing lavender and let me tell you I have so much. I know I will make soap, & I want to dry some in the microwave and any of you done this? Does anyone know if there is a book out there to help make things with lavender and if so do you have the name or even the author?
Edie Singleton – Washington State
May 14, 2009 - 16:00
Hi. Each year I make lavender sachets & give them to friends. They love them. This year I have come up with a new idea! However it involves sewing. I am taking lavender colored fabric, sewing one of those covers that go on a clothing hanger that covers the shoulders of a garment. Sewing a pocket on it that is a see thru fabric & filling it with dried lavender. Imagine how good the closet will smell. Note: I just took one of those plastic covers, traced it onto newspaper to make the pattern for the shoulder garment cover.
julie – Tennessee
Mar 09, 2009 - 17:14
I am trying to make Lavender Wands. Does any one know if you soak the lavender stems just up to the flowers would it make them easier to bend into the wand part?
Reply to julie
Anne – England
Jun 11, 2009 - 16:35
Hi, you need to use the young lavender stems which are more pliable and will bend without snapping. No need to soak at all.
Hope this helps
Anne
Abbey – New Zealand
Jan 06, 2009 - 16:20
hi there, ive been wanting to make one of these for ages and was wondering what is the best type of lavender to use? Also how can i get them to wilt because i tried it at home but they just dried out.
Reply to Abbey
Kathryn – southern california
Apr 08, 2009 - 10:41
Hi Abbey,
Right after you pick the flower, leave them in your car on a sunny afternoon, for a few minutes. The stems soften up perfectly. Also, I've found that bending the stems slowly and pinching the stem where it will bend helps it to bend and not break. Good luck!
Kathryn
Helen Cousins – High Wycombe, HP11 1RB
Jul 25, 2008 - 07:07
Made my first lavender bottle whilst living in WA many years ago. Just a note - You MUST have an ODD number of stems if you are going to weave! About to cut some stems (before all the flowers open) for this year's gifts.
Josephine – Alabama
Jul 17, 2008 - 19:15
Have just been introduced to making wands from fresh lavender (althugh have liked it for many years) I purchased some at a Farmers Market. What if I did not get to working on it and it dried? Is there no way to make the wands then, as the stsems are all brittle and all bud/blooms fall of. Any special uses for all the buds that have dropped off? Thanks.
Lavender Practical Inspirations for Natural Gifts, Country Crafts and Decorative Displays using Lavender
Lavender Potted Plant Enjoy the lovely blooms of this beautiful gift. Your live potted plant will arrive in bloom, dressed in a decorative wrap and complete with care instructions. Can be enjoyed indoors or transplanted outdoors.
How to make Lavender Bottles:
How to make Lavender Wands:
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Lavender 
Lavender Potted Plant
