Seed Packets

It’s easy to store your saved seeds into envelopes and I’m sure that’s what most folks do most of the time, myself included.  However, from time to time, I like to give seeds saved from my garden as part of a gift and in that case, I like to do something a little more special than an envelope.  I make seed packets from a little left over muslin or cotton fabric.  If you’re interested in making some yourself, here’s the process.

For each packet cut 2 pieces of fabric.  A good size is 4 inches by 6 inches, though you can make them as small or large as you’d like.  (Hint: consider saving bits of fabric from other projects and making your packets in odd sizes.)

On one of the short ends of your cut fabric, roll the edge over twice to form a rolled hem.  Iron and/or pin your hem in place and sew the edge down.  This will form the top opening of your seed packet.

With right sides together (the rolled edge is the wrong side) and using a 3/8″ seam allowance, sew the three sides together to form a pouch.  Don’t sew the top edge that you made the rolled hem on.

If you have a serger, doing the edge with it will keep seeds from getting lost in the seams.  If you don’t have a serger, you can sew the seams and then go over the edges with a zig-zag stitch.  After you have all of the edges done, clip the errant threads and turn your pouch right side out.

Once your pouch is done, you can label it with a fabric marker or other permanent marker and fill as desired.  I generally just roll down the opening and close it up with a safety pin or two.  If you have the time, desire, and the sewing skills you could always use buttons, snaps, or a drawstring to close the packet.  You could also embroider the packet a bit, if desired.  I usually take the simple approach:

A small bit of ribbon intertwined in the safety pins makes for a beautiful presentation too.  Generally, I’m including these packets in gift baskets full of other goodies and don’t stress too much about it by itself.  I hope you’ll consider making a few of these to hold your saved seeds in the coming season.

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