Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a newlywed, or you just want your closet to smell fresh and clean, you can make it happen! There’s an easy way to make fabulous scented hangers that can contain any scent you’d like. You don’t need to know how to sew to make them but you will need some ordinary plastic hangers.
Plastic hangers come in any number of colors. Choose lace pieces that match or coordinate with the colors of hangers you’ll be using. The plastic hangers are inexpensive and can be found at most dollar-theme stores. They’re sold in packs of 3, 6 or even 12. Buy the smaller size hangers if you’re making them for a child.
A yard of lace will make several hangers. The lace you choose should not have really large openings in the pattern. If it does you may need to create a liner from tuille. To begin creating the scented hangers fold the cloth in half. Position the bottom of the hanger, along the fold, but place the hanger about an inch above the fold itself.
Trace around the hanger on the two sides. When you come to the neck of the hanger leave a small space. Now cut out the pattern leaving an inch on each side of the tracing. The lace will then be an inch larger, all the way around, than the hanger.
Set the hanger aside for a moment. Open the folded lace and lay it on a flat surface. Position the hanger over one side of the lace. Now sprinkle dry potpourri onto the lace. Fill the hanger area with the potpourri then pull the second side of the lace up over the hanger. Now the potpourri – and the hanger – are trapped between the two pieces of lace.
Use ordinary hot glue to attach the two lace pieces together, up the sides. When you get to the neck of the hanger you’ll stop. Now the lace is closed, with the potpourri inside, but the raw edges of the lace are showing. Trim the lace close to the hanger.
Use narrow lace, a half inch wide or so, to cover the raw edges of the hanger. Gathered lace is the most appropriate for this craft. Begin gluing the length of gathered lace to the raw edges starting near the hanger neck on one side. Glue the lace all the way around the hanger, going down the first side, across the bottom, then back up the opposite side. Turn the hanger over and do the same to the other side.
Now you can embellish the scented hanger in any number of ways. Create a satin bow and allow the ends to hang long. Glue the bow to the front of the hanger, at the neck area. Add fake pearls, curled ribbon pieces, fake jewels, old brooches, single earrings or other embellishments.
A different way to give each hanger a scent is to first soak a piece of felt in liquid potpourri. The potpourri can be purchased or made yourself. Fabulous potpourris are made from apple juice, cinnamon or even lemon extract. When the felt has soaked for a few minutes remove it from the liquid. Allow to set on paper towels until it is no longer dripping. Place the damp felt between the lace pieces as you make the hangers.
A different way to make the hangers is to use adhesive velcro rather than hot glue. Position the hanger along the fold of the open lace and use velcro to connect the two pieces of lace. Now you can use hot glue to add embellishments. When the scent fades simply pull the velcro strips apart, empty the old potpourri, and add the new.
A set of the hangers makes a lovely gift for newlyweds or even a baby shower. Create some for your daughter’s closet or for your own. They’re so easy and inexpensive to make yet they will give any closet an elegant appearance and aroma.
Reference:
- Purchase lace fabric here: www.joann.com
