This is a simple way to package any note or card which is quick to make and looks fabulous. In my teen Christmas classes last week we were making a version of these envelopes and filling them with chocolate coins as extra family gifts, however at this time of year, when we so many Thank You cards are being written, I thought these would provide a perfect envelope for my own Thank Yous this year.
What You Will Need
An envelope of the size you want to replicate – steamed open and flattened
Felt Square (size depends on the size of the envelope, but a 10″ square is a good bet!)
Lining Fabric (the same amount as for the felt, however, if the lining has a directional pattern, not this pattern will be cut on point)
Kam Snaps, hook closure or button and loop.
Bondaweb (the size of your envelope)
Threads of coordinating colours
Paper & Fabric scissors
Permanent Pen and a Frixon Pen
Pinking Shears (optional)
Method
- Using a permanent pen, trace around the flattened envelope creating an outline on the smooth side of the bondaweb
- Cut around the outline and press the bumpy/gluey side of the bondaweb template to your piece of felt using a hot dry iron.
- Using the fabric scissors cut around the edge of the bondaweb template, which is now fixed to the felt. You will now have flat, unlined felt envelop
- With your frixon pen draw around the part of the envelop that will be the front. This allows you to see the size of the area that you have to work on for your message.
- Optional Step : Create a panel for the front of your envelope. My panel was 2″ x 3″ and backed with bondaweb, but can decide the right size for your envelope. I cut this edges of the panel with pinking shears to create more interest. The benefit of adding this panel is that the change in colour adds contrast to your envelope front and it also means that if your free motion writing goes wrong (:-)) you can start again without having to recreate the whole envelope.
- Write your message on the front of your envelope or on your panel with a dark thread using the sewing machine fixed with a darning foot. I find it helpful to draw out the message I want to sew with either pencil or friction pen and then trace over it with the sewing machine. On felt I find a friction pen is fine to use, but check on a small area if you are unsure.
- Once the message is finished, remove any remaining frixion pen marks and if you have created the optional panel, fix it to the front of your envelope and free motion sew around the panel to complete the look.
- Remove the bondaweb from the back of the felt envelope and iron the lining fabric to the exposed glue on the back of the felt envelope. Once the lining is attached, trim the lining back with scissors so it is flush with the felt.
- Using a blanket or other decorative stitch and a normal/zig-zag foot on your sewing machine, sew around the edge of the envelope from the felt side.
- Fold the edges of the envelope up and press it with a hot dry iron and pressing cloth. The envelope is now complete except the fixings.
- I used a kam snap, but a hood and eye or button and loop could also be used. With a frixion pen, mark where the fixing need to be on both parts of the envelope and fix the closures.
- Add your park inside and you have the perfect thank you gift !
