make it: fabric envelopes

Things that go together:
peanut butter and jelly
fun and sun
Thanksgiving and turkey (Or tofurky - if you are a vegetarian like me.)
rest and relaxation . . .

and, of course, stationery and envelopes.  Okay, this may not have been the next obvious pair that came to mind for you, but stationery needs an envelope like carrots need ranch (according to my kids who won't eat raw carrots without ranch).  So here's the next tutorial in the pretend and play mail carrier kit for my eighth craft till Christmas . . . envelopes.

Grab this stuff:
1 - 8 1/2 x 10 inch rectangle of fabric 
1 - 8 1/2 x 10 inch rectangle in contrasting fabric
1 - 8 x 9 1/2 inch rectangle of Heat n Bond Ultrahold Iron-on Adhesive (or any double sided adhesive)
1 - 1 inch rectangle of fusible Velcro (My spell check says that this should be capitalized, so I'm going with that.)

Do these steps:
1)  Take both fabric rectangles and cut off a triangle measuring 2 inches at the base from the top corner.  Notice corners in picture.

2)  Place fabric right sides together and sew around outside edge leaving a two to three inch opening at the top (the flat edge between the cut off corners).

3)  Place Heat n Bond on top of this newly sewn piece.  Trim corners of Heat n Bond to match fabric.  Fuse with iron according to package directions.

4)  Take paper backing off Heat n Bond.  Trim corners of fabric and carefully turn right sides out.  Turning with Heat n Bond fused to one side is a little tricky but possible if you left a big enough opening for turning.     

5)  Fuse other side of fabric to Heat n Bond (which is now sandwiched in between two fabrics).   

6)  Sew straight line across bottom of this piece (not the top side with the cut off corners). 

7)  Fold bottom third up over middle third to form the envelope pocket. 

8)  Sew around the envelop starting at one corner of the fold. going up and sewing around the cut corners (this also closes up the opening used for turning) and ending at the other corner of the fold.  Do not sew across what is now the bottom of the envelop.

9)  Attach fusible Velcro according to package directions.

10)  Write a note to your child, friend, co-worker or random person on the street on fabric stationery.  Insert into envelop and the pair is finally complete!

I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but if you try to make fabric stationery or envelopes, I would love to see a pic.  Feel free to e-mail me or link it up on your blog and let me know. 

Craft on!