DIY Simple Embellished Washcloth and Lavender Sugar Scrub

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Guest post by Rachel Zupke at Mason Jar Values

I was always ashamed when I’d take a love language inventory and my highest score was in “gifts.” I thought it made me seem selfish or consumerist. But as I’ve grown into adulthood, I’ve realized I love the thought behind the gift. Couple that realization with a tight income as a family of 3 (soon to be 4!) on a public school teacher’s salary and most of our gifts are now homemade. But that doesn’t mean they have to seem quickly put-together or cheap.

As the mom of a toddler and soon-to-be newborn, I’ve got a lot on my plate. Since I love giving gifts – and nap time is often filled up with other tasks – I had to find a way to include my toddler in the crafting process. Below I give you materials and instructions on how to make one such gift as well as time estimates for each part so you can manage your precious time wisely! I also outline a few tips and tricks on how to engage your toddler in the process.

Pretty yet simple embellished washcloth

Time needed: 10 minutes

Materials:

• new washcloth in your choice of color
• a piece of pre-washed fabric cut to the entire width of the washcloth and 1/2″ wider than the woven band across the washcloth
• matching thread
• a sewing machine

After laundering/drying the washcloth, lightly iron it as well as your chosen fabric. Iron the edges of your cut fabric under 1/4″ inch all the way around. Miter the corners, turn under, and iron these down (miter is a fancy way of saying turn them under at a 45 degree angle so you get a nice, crisp corner; here’s a quick picture tutorial). Lay the fabric over the woven band, pin, and sew all around the outside of the fabric within 1/8″ of the edge, making sure to start and end with a few backstitches over your stitching to ensure it holds. Trim off excess thread. I used a coordinating thread on the front and white thread for my bobbin, which blends into the back since it is the towel material.

Image by Rachel Zupke

This is a super simple use of your sewing machine so it’s a great project even for beginners. If you want encouragement and instruction, check out this review I wrote of Nicole Bennett’s Sewing School 101. Or if you don’t have time to make your own, I sell them in my Etsy shop. This might be a good option for you if you don’t want to go out and buy fabric just for this project.

Fragrant lavender sugar scrub

Time: 10 minutes

Materials needed:

• 4 tablespoons dried lavender buds
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
• 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
• 8 drops lavender essential oil*

Mash the lavender buds with a mortar and pestle or in a coffee grinder. Stir the buds and sugar together. Stir in the oils and mix well. Add the lavender oil and stir again. Package in half pint mason jars (makes 3 jars’ worth).

Image by Rachel Zupke

I roughly followed Stacy Karen’s instructions for Rustic Lavender Scrub from her ebook The Body Scrub Bible. Since I prefer a scrub that is really scrubby (read = less oil), I decreased the amount of oil called for and used grapeseed oil instead of olive oil because it was what I had on hand.

You can dress up your finished product with a sticker label and ribbon. I just cut my label out of a piece of paper and wrote on it, signing my initials to complete the tag. You don’t have to have beautiful handwriting either! The recipient will love it no matter how much you dress it up or down.

*As for which brand to use, I love what Erin had to say about essential oils…

Tips on having your kiddo help (even a toddler!)

Image by Rachel Zupke

Gather materials ahead of time

As with any activity with a toddler, having less down time at the beginning gets them right into the thick of things and helps keep them focused on the task at hand.

Turn it into a game

My newly-turned two year old thought it was fun to count the dots and identify colors on the fabric. We also took a break to play peek-a-boo with the washcloth…I’m sure the gal I made this gift set for won’t mind!

Let them help with the active parts

While I did the pinning and sewing without her, my daughter was totally hands on with the making of the scrub. When we bake in the kitchen, she gets to scoop and pour but not stir because we usually use our Kitchenaid. This time around, I had her do the stirring and she was so excited! She plucked the buds off the lavender, mashed them, and helped stir the scrub. I did the stirring once we added the lavender oil but then I did let her scoop the scrub into the jars, no matter how much of a mess I knew she’d make (which reminds me…it’s okay to make a mess!).

Image by Rachel Zupke

What crafty gifts have you had your children help you with?

My name is Rachel and I’m a stay-at home-mom to a toddler. My husband brings home the big bucks as a high school science teacher and I help out money-wise by coaching (basketball and rowing) and substitute teaching at my hubby’s high school (I taught HS science pre-baby). I write about living with perseverance, passion, and purpose (what I deem Mason Jar Values) over at rachelzupke.com. Life for me = faith and family, homemaking, real food and natural living, outdoor adventures with our Siberian Husky, and local happenings.

Top image by Rachel Zupke