How to Sew a Fabric Envelope
These adorable fabric envelopes are perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Here’s a pattern you can PRINT for FREE!
This envelope sewing pattern is a perfect Valentine’s Day project!
It’s also perfect for making play envelopes!
This is an easy project, suitable for beginners.
It uses only a small amount of fabric — perfect for scraps!
It’s also perfect for using up any extra buttons, scrap lace, or teeny-tiny remnants of fabric you might have.
Print your pattern for FREE at the bottom of the page, then follow along the tutorial here on the blog!
Happy Sewing!
Supplies Needed:
- Small amount of fabric
- Button(s)
- Small amount of elastic
- Scraps of lace/other embellishments
- Sewing Machine
- Iron
- Free Printable Pattern (at the bottom of the page!)
Step 1: Print your pattern!
The first thing you will want to do is print your pattern.
You can print it out at the bottom of this page!
Print your pattern, then cut it out.
You’ll want to cut out 2 pieces of fabric using this pattern — one for your outer fabric, and one for the lining.
There’s just one pattern piece for both. It doesn’t matter which way you flip the template.
You can use two pieces of the same fabric, or different fabrics. It’s fun to mix and match! It really makes these envelopes pop!
Step 2: Sew the Lining and Outer Fabric
Next, you’ll want to sew together one piece of lining and one piece of your main fabric together.
Lay one piece of lining fabric and one piece of your main fabric right sides together.
Using a 3/8″ seam allowance, sew around, but leave around 4″ of a straight edge open so that you can turn your fabric right side out.
Be sure to backstitch to knot and the beginning and end of your seams!
Turn your fabric right side out through your remaining opening portion, and iron flat.
Step 3: Top Stitch, and Decorate!
Next, you’ll want to fold in the remaining open edge of your envelope, and top stitch all the way around.
Top stitching will also close up the remaining “hole!”
I like to switch to a slightly larger stitch width when top stitching. This gives the appearance of straighter stitches.
On my sewing machine, I adjust the stitch length to 3.5 while top stitching.
Next, it’s best to decorate your envelope.
Fold your envelope into an envelope shape before placing and pinning any embellishments.
You can also decorate your envelope once it’s completely sewn, but I found it was much easier to do this before folding and sewing it into a permanent envelope shape.
This is where the fun part comes in! Cut little rectangular pieces of lace for “stamps,” embroider words/addresses, and decorate with spare mismatched buttons and lace to decorate your envelopes!
Step 4: Add a Button Closure
Next, you’ll want to add a button and elastic closure.
Fold the shape of the envelope and mark where you want to sew on your button to keep the envelope closed.
Sew the button into place.
Then, take a small amount of elastic, fold it into a loop, and sew it onto the “tip” of the envelope.
This pairing will keep your envelope closed!
You can also use snaps for this part, or a button and a button hole!
The elastic I used was this pretty lacy elastic I found on clearance years ago. (note the 49 cent discount sticker on it!)
Step 5: Sew Your Envelope Closed
Lastly, you’ll want to sew your envelope closed — into an envelope shape.
Fold the bottom of the envelope so that it lines up with the “bottom” of the triangular closure.
Use your sewing machine to sew each side into place.
Don’t forget to adjust your stitch length back to a regular stitch length on this part!
(On my sewing machine, that setting is 2.5)
Print Your Pattern!
Here’s the part where you get to print out your free pattern! Yay!
To print your pattern, get it below.
It will be sent right to your email inbox as a PDF!
Happy Sewing!
