Whether it’s a romantic note or just a simple thank you, a handmade envelope is a lovely way to deliver a special message. Our pretty envelope design looks rather complex, but it’s actually very easy and a great way to use scraps with a larger circular or medallion style motif. A bit of fancy ribbon seals the deal. 

If you’re feeling extra crafty, take a look at our coordinating tutorial to make a Sewn Paper and Fabric Card.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Sewing Machine and standard presser foot

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Card stock; we used one 12″ square of Bazzil Basics card stock in white which we found locally at Michaels
• Patterned (or plain) paper; we used one 12″ square of Recollections Scrapbook Paper in Red Stripes, also found locally at Michaels
  NOTE: You could also use gift wrap to line your card rather than scrapbooking paper.
• ONE 11″ high x 7¾” wide rectangle of fabric for the front of the card; our scrap was Black Nosegay from the older Summer Soirée collection by Paula Prass
• ONE 5½” high x 7¾” wide rectangle for the back of the card; our scrap was Lime Ta Dot by Michael Miller Fabrics 
  NOTE: If you want to fussy cut your fabric as we did, you may need a larger piece of fabric to work with.
• ONE yard of ⅜” ribbon
• Spray adhesive, such as Elmers Craft Bond
• All-purpose thread; we used white  
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Small sharp scissors
• Pinking shears or paper edge cutters (optional)
• X-Acto knife
• See-through ruler

Getting Started

1. For the cleanest edge, we recommend cutting your fabric pieces with a rotary cutter and cutting mat.
2. Cut ONE 11″ high x 7¾” wide rectangle from the fabric for the front of the card. We positioned the center of of our large nosegay motif so it was at the fold line for the envelope flap as shown in the cutting guide below.
3. Cut one 5½” high x 7¾” wide rectangle from the fabric for the back of the card. 
   
4. We used a red striped paper to line the front of the envelope and a plain white tpaper o line the back side of the envelope.
   
5. Turn each sheet of paper face down.
6. Lightly spray the back side of your fabric pieces with the spray adhesive.
7. Position the tacky side of your fabric onto the back side of your paper as shown below. If you use a paper with a strong directional motif, as we did with our stripe, make sure the fabric rectangle is aligned so the paper motif is straight. 
   
8. Lightly smooth the fabric and paper sandwich, using the palm of your hand.
9. Using your see-through ruler, an X-Acto knife, and a cutting mat; trim the paper using the edge of the fabric as a cutting guide.
10. If you chose a center medallion motif as we did, switch to small scissors to fussy cut the the back half of the motif as shown below. This curved fussy cut will become the flap of the envelope. You can fussy cut to best suit your fabric, or simply cut a straight line across about 3″ below the fold line.
    

At Your Sewing Machine

1. Place the front and back of the envelope together, paper lining sides together.
2. Sew along the sides and bottom of the envelope using a ⅜” seam, pivoting at the corners. Do not sew across the top. Trim close to stitching, using pinking shears, paper edge cutters or scissors.
   
3. Fold over and crease your envelope flap.
4. Find the length of ribbon. Position the ribbon onto the card as shown below. The end that wraps around the front should be about two feet and the other end about one foot. Attach at this ⅔ – ⅓ dividing point using a zig zag stitch. Pull the thread tails through to the back side of envelope and hand tie a neat knot. Trim the thread close to the knot.
   
   Detail:
   

To finish

Project Design and Sample Creation: Alicia Thommas