Envelope It (a tutorial)

By Melissa

I make envelopes for lots of things (why go paper when you can sew?!).  They are quick, fully customizable (great for keeping track of reciepts, index cards, or sappy documentation) and cute.  The latter being the most important, right?  For the purpose of this tutorial, we'll be going smaller-- somewhere around note card size and adding elastic so you can attach it easily to a notebook or organizer.  You could also flip the dimensions (making the opening on the short side) or leave out the elastic all together. 

Keep it Safe (and pretty) Envelope

Supplies:

• Two pieces of fabric that will accommodate your rectangle dimensions (1/4 yards or scraps will work)
• Snap, button or velcro
• 7" of skinny elastic or FOE (Fold Over Elastic-- bolt has bins of it!)
• Optional interfacing/interlining

Cut one rectangle out of each piece of fabric 6 1/2" by 4 1/2" (front)

Cut one rectangle out of each piece of fabric 6 1/2" by 7" (back)

Trace an existing envelope flap or use the following diagram as a guide, draw a cut line onto the wrong side of the skinny end of A. 

2.  Sew

Make the interior and exterior envelopes separately.  With right sides together and bottom edges matching, sew front to back around the three sides of interior.  Use a 1/4" seam allowance.  Pin elastic across the right side of exterior back. You might also try interfacing or other interlining on the wrong side of your exterior envelope, for extra stiffness.

You need to decide how you would like to close your envelope and attach it to the sewn exterior.  I used a snap for this one, but I like velcro/hook and loop tape better.  A loop and button would be pretty, too (pin loop to top curve exterior, facing inward on right side and sew the button to the front after the envelope is completely assembled.)

For final construction, place your interior and exterior inside of one another, right sides facing.  Begin sewing along front edge and around top, leaving a 1 1/2" gap in your stitching line (along front).  Turn envelope right side out through small gap.  Top stitch gap closed and around entire top edge.

Comments

[Lee]

Melissa,
This is just fabulous. I'm totally hooked. Thanks so much!

[Kimberly]

I adore this idea! I have many loose recipes cards that need homes, but the idea of creating a message envelope for keepsake memories for my son is just over-the-top neat. Thanks!

[Angie]

I think you've been in my brain! My eyes were so big when I saw your first picture. I LOVE THIS! Thank you! (I frequently have thoughts of envelop-ing everything...)

[Sally]

This is great!. With my only granddaughter entering junior high, she will have something very special. Thank you for this.

[Amy L.]

Just plain genius to add the elastic band!! Thanks so much for sharing this Melissa!

[Rachel]

That is so pretty and elegant. I love the elastic. Thanks so much, I'll be linking to this.

[Deborah]

This would be perfect to hold my book journal with my book and a pen! I love it! I will have to make several for my friends at book group as well.

http://wonderwomancreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-journals.html

[Stacey]

Ooo! I see a few of these making it into a certain almost four year olds Birthday creations.

[Bette]

Great project and so adaptable.

Does Bold have mail order? I've searched high and low for FOE here in Central Missouri at all the fabric stores/departments -- Hobby Lobby, Michaels & even Wal-Mart (yes, we have no Bold :-(). The sales people look at me like I have two heads when I ask for fold-over-elastic. Never heard of it, they say. Well, now you have and how can I get some?

Bette

[Bette]

I mean "Bolt."

[bolt neighborhood]

Yes! If you know what you're looking for (approximate colour and width), the best time to call the store is right at opening: 10am during the week (closed on Monday) and 11am on Sunday. 503.287.2658

[roe]

Um, MAKING this!

and I'm so excited about it. This is pretty much going to revolutionize all of my knick-knacky (yet important) life. I seem to have tons of little things that attach themselves to me going to work and it's hard keeping hold of them all in my hand or finding them in my purse.

But best of all: it's cute. Super cute. Thanks for putting up the great tutorial!!

yeshoneychyle.com

[ashley]

Oh my goodness I love it!! I am totally making one of these now! I'll link when I'm done. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[Vilija]

Genius - the pretty elastic makes this craft even better. I cannot wait to make this and to be the teacher with the coolest school supplies. I will probably have to create several because I know my friends will all be jealous.

[[email protected]]

Help! I am a novice and your idea is super cute but I am totally lost. Can anyone help me with step by step directions?

[bolt neighborhood]

let me know which part you're having trouble with.

[Cynthia Long]

For extra stiffness in the back, try a piece of plastic canvas. I use it for stiffening a lot of craft projects, and it's washable too.

[Peggy]

This is a great project. Unfortunately, I am pretty new to sewing and I think I messed up! I have sewn the two parts separately (so I have two "envelopes" sewn around the bottom and the two sides) I am having trouble with sewing the interior and exterior together. (The final phase of construction.) A picture of how to place them together would be marvelous!! Otherwise, any other hints on how to do that for a novice that doesn't understand??

[bolt neighborhood]

Okay! You're doing great. Now turn one of your envelopes inside out. Place them inside of each other so that the right sides are facing each other.

Sew around the unsewn perimeter (the edge of the envelope and the "flap") leaving a small gap to turn it right side out (if you haven't already done that on the lining piece).

turn right side out. topstitch!

[Rossana]

i'm at the stage where i have two envelopes as well but just cant figure out how to sew them together and the turning inside out part baffles me as well! please help! :)

[Linda]

I am going to try this on my serger. I plan to put wrong sides together and stitch. Sew on hook and loop take and be done.

[Crafty Grandma]

What a great idea!!! My son who works from his car, and on the road will be getting this attached to his mileage book so he will no longer lose his receipts when doing his expense reports. No more losing his envelope!!! LOL!
Thanks!

[samantha]

your fabric envelope is practical and a nice idea. Just recently I was folding a cloth napkin into an envelope to make a little envelope purse. hmm.

[kiki85]

merci pour ce modèle sympa !!

[yüz maskesi]

Pin elastic across the right side of exterior back. You might also try interfacing or other interlining on the wrong side of your exterior envelope, for extra stiffness.