Fabric Envelope Tutorial

Handy little envelope - free sewing tutorial.
 I am really into fabric envelopes at the moment - no idea why but they are high on the appeal list so I thought that we could make one (or two or three).

 And look at the front!

So what do we need for this little sweetie?
- 2 fat quarters of pretty fabrics
- a fat quarter of thin wadding
- some scraps of fabrics including a plain white
- a paper crafting stamp like the one that a post office might use to cancel a stamp on a letter...

- ranger archival ink: jet black
- coloured kam snap
- dark brown embroidery thread
- water soluble marker
- pinking shears
- fabric glue stick

Your usual sewing needs

Here is your pattern...lovin' the high tech paper...

There are some lines on it, these give an indication of where to make the folds and everything includes seam allowance. I have also included some sizes but don't be too worried about these. You can make an envelope of any size at all and they will all serve you well.

Next, cut out the wadding according to the pattern and also your top fabric.

Use the water soluble marker to draw across the two lines on the pattern. This will identify the the front (we need to do the embellishment before sewing up).

See what I mean? The area within the two lines is the front. Make a stamp next from a scrap of pretty and coordinating fabric. Here is mine...

Position the stamp onto the front of the envelope 2cm in from the right edge and 2cm down from the line that you drew.

Time to make the address label next. Take the plain white scrap and draw a rectangle onto it 6cm x 4cm...

But don't cut it out just yet. Write something meaningful for you and then embroider your words with a back stitch using 1 strand of brown embroidery thread...

Then cut the label out and attach it to the front next to the stamp...

Sew around both on your machine to attach...

Cancel the stamp...

Time to sew up now. Take your completed top and sew along those lines that you drew on earlier. This will help to make a crisper fold.
Lay the top face down onto the lining fabric and cut the lining out so that it is a little larger all around. Fabric creeps and this method makes the sewing up easier...

Sew all around the outer edge leaving a small gap for turning out...

Trim the edges and turn out through the gap. Slip stitch the gap closed. You can sew your sides up either by hand or machine. I am using hand sewing because I like the invisible stitching. use two strands of brown embroidery thread to make a running stitch on the flap...

Attach your snap according to the manufacturer's instructions

And the open view...

And that's it! use this for all of your little treasures when travelling.