we’re always making all sorts of stuff out of fabric, but can never bring ourselves to toss any scraps. this project is an easy and smart way to repurpose even the tiniest leftovers. by using one of our favorite sewing materials—fusible webbing—you can whip up a whole set of these no-sew envelopes in a flash. they’re great places to store favorite documents, photos, or business cards, and can even be used as a special gift wrap.
have fun!
derek & lauren
ps: we’re about to embark on a bunch of exciting (and time consuming) projects, which unfortunately means we need to take a brief hiatus from our weekly diy posts here on design*sponge. we plan on contributing fun stuff every now and again, but until then you can keep track of us over at smartsandcrafts.com
CLICK HERE for the full project after the jump!
here’s what you’ll need:
scrap paper for templates
two pieces of fabric, one solid and one pattern (18” x 20” for large envelope, 6” x 6” for small envelope)
fusible webbing, cut to same size as fabric
scissors
iron
two buttons
needle & thread
thin ribbon or cord to tie envelope shut
1. create a template by drawing a rectangle the size of your completed envelope in the center. our envelopes measure 9” x 12” and 2.5” x 4”. add 5” to either side of the large template, or 1.5” to either side of the small template. add a 1/2” to 1” flap to the center bottom and a 1” to 3” mitered flap to the center top (as pictured).
2. layer your fabrics with fusible webbing in the center, and fuse with a hot iron.
3. trace template onto fabric and cut out.
4. iron flaps and secure with small strips of fusible webbing.
5. sew a button onto the center of the top flap and another onto the back of the envelope, about 1/2” to 1” down from the top button, depending on which size envelope you are making.
6. tie a length of thin cord around the shank of top button and wrap it around the bottom button to secure the flap of your envelope.
I love these. I love envelopes. I love fabric. Iam going to make some! Great idea!!!
I’ve never used fusible webbing before, but it seems like a great product and something to keep around the house. These are super cute -Thanks!
These are lovely x
Love this idea! We always have scraps we’re wondering what to do with.
Do you think you could actually mail these? SUCH a great idea! I have so many scraps!!!!!!! You are awesome! Have a great day! Thanks! –Katie H.
looks great :) I think I will make some :)
P.S. Where is the best place to find fusible webbing?
ooh…. now i know what to do with all my left over fabric samples that are too small to turn into pillows! awesome idea! Now if only someone would come up with something for all those carpet squares…..
Awesome idea
I think these are perfect for wrapping flat type gifts like photos , magazines, love letters (:-)
Such a great idea!
Tricia – Avolli
Oh my! I absolutely love this project! Definitely filing this one away for future Christmas present making!
Love it! Just added the supply list to my springpad (http://su.pr/5cvSP6) so I can make some cute envelopes in the (near) future!
These are fun! I definitely want to make a bunch of these.
Have fun with your upcoming project ventures! Your DIY posts are some of my favorites here on d*s, so don’t let the brief hiatus be too long!
Cheers!
great idea!
What a great “no-sew” project.
Cute.
beautyful
Lovely idea.
this could easily be modified and reinforced with a few hand stitches to be a laptop case! thanks for the inspiration.
FYI I mailed my wedding invitations in envelopes similar to these, I just had to pay extra for handling by hand instead of machine.
so coool! i’m totally doing this
I don’t know how I’ve lived my life not knowing about fusible webbing. Thanks for this awesome project and the tip about what will surely be my favorite new crafting material!
i used burlap envelopes for my wedding invites and despite the fact that EVERYONE was freaking out about their mailability every last one made it. and i too had to pay extra for the special handling .
Love it!! I have soo many fabric scrapes!! This will come in handy!
gosh! these are the most best fun things ever!!!
this is great! :)
Ooh-these are great. I think evn I could manage to make them!
and be sustainable!
fantastic!!!!!!
I have no idea what fusible webbing is. Help.
This is genius and darling! I LOVE no sew projects and these would make cute gift wrap. I might try cut the flap edge of the envelope with pinking shears. Thanks!
for information about fusible webbing…
http://www.stitchemup.com/applique/fusible-webbing.htm
this is such an exciting project!!! :)
~becca
Hi Darla:
Fusible webbing is a heat-activated double-sided tape of sorts for fabric. It is sold by the yard at all fabric and most craft stores and is a great way to bond pieces of fabric together.
What a great way to gift wrap a framed picture or anything else for that matter. You could even iron on a label and use them to store vital documents in a safe. Cute!!
Cloth envelopes rule! Have you seen the ones made by OOreGoods that are reusable and sendable through the USPS?? I got myself one on Etsy, totally awesome for penpaling!!
Oh my cute! I can’t wait to whip up a bunch!
This is such a super cute idea. I think I’m going to have to whip some of these up to mail things in to friends and family.
So awesome!
COOL!
Love it!
EXCELENTE……..LOS FELICITO
genius genius genius!
*runs to get webbing NOW*
thank you for this!
Hey! Can someone run out and get me some fusible webbing right now?! What inspiration and definitely a bonus on top of the office supply round up! Thanks!
Lovely project! I love no sew projects, too. Awesome.
what a unique idea. tutorial is excellent. not sure what i would do with a fabric envelope but i like the concept.
Ack! Love! Wish i wasn’t at work so i could make these now!
so smart!
Love this idea! Totally going to try this!
Truly AMAZING!
cute cute cute! I love fusible webbing!
I’d like to see the burlap wedding envelopes…can you ask cevd to send a photo in?
So cute! Best of luck to your upcoming projects! And hope you will be back soon with your weekly diy posts.
Carpee squares can be used in a simlar fashion but instead of envelopes they are more durable and turn into little puches for makeup, pens, etc. I even made a wine sleeve as a gift for someone!
Very clever, and who doesn’t have scraps lying around? What a great use for them!
OMG!! I love this and I’m going to try it ASAP!!
What a fun idea; easy Christmas wrapping for books and small gifts!
Somewhat dismayed to see this actually because it appears to be a total rip-off of my sister’s portfolio envelopes she created a year ago. I’m very disappointed to see copy-cat craftsters that try and lay claim to an authentic designer’s work.
jen
this actually isn’t a new concept- martha stewart did a few years ago with different shapes. so i don’t think lauren and derek were sourcing your sister’s work here, sorry.
grace
i just made my first of these and it is sooooo cute!! what a great (and easy) idea!!
Hmmm…this is VERY similar to what my Brownie Troop did about 20 years ago. I had almost forgotten about this idea! Thanks for the reminder.
Thank God for gift ideas for the poor college student. I am up to my ears in fabric scraps, but I’m making a whole bunch of these and putting photos of my friends and I in them and then snail-mailing them away! Total amount of money spent? $8 plus postage
can’t wait to try this one…sooo cute !!!
I’ve never seen this before… are they really “that durable” to handle shipping via USPS? Or if you use (at home) would you consider a “backing board” to ensure the stability of contents not being bent. Fusible web is so flexible(?)
Such a cool idea…
So cute!