Something Special Card + Envelope Tutorial

Our lives are overrun by email, texting, and virtual hellos-– With this simple fabric card + envelope project, I encourage you to take a step back from every day and make something memorable, something as one-of-a-kind as your special someone. Express yourself by transforming ordinary correspondence into something extraordinary. The possibilities to personalize this project are endless, so have fun! Make something special every day. And make every day something special!

Finished Measurements
Envelope = 5.25” x 7.75”
Card = 4.75“ x 7”

What you need

• Envelope fabric: 1 piece each of exterior + lining fabrics measuring 10” x 10”

* If using a fabric with a directional print, be sure to cut the square so that the motif runs from corner to corner (see left image).

• Card fabric: 1 piece each of front + back fabrics measuring 5.25” x 7.5”, you can cut the back fabric to size now, but do not cut the front fabric until you have “written” your note.
• Interfacing (medium-weight fusible): 1 piece 9.5” x 9.5” (for envelope), 1 piece 4.75” x 7” (for card)
• Water-soluble pen, embroidery floss + embroidery needle

Let’s make the envelope first!

1. Fuse the interfacing to the WS of your exterior fabric according to the manufacturer’s instructions, centering the interfacing ¼” in on each side.

2. Pin the exterior and lining fabrics RS together.
3. Using a ¼” seam allowance, stitch around the ENTIRE piece. Yes, you read that right-– Stitch around the entire piece, backstitching at the end.
4. Clip 3 of the corners (if your lining fabric has a directional print, pay special attention clip the top and both side corners – not the bottom).

5. On the 4th corner (the bottom corner if the lining fabric has a directional motif), make a mark on the edge of the fabric 2” in both directions from the corner. Using a straight edge, draw a line connecting those two marks and cut along the line – cutting off the corner.

6. Go back to the machine and backstitch at those cut edges so that when you turn the piece, you don’t end up unraveling the whole thing. (That would be a bummer.)
7. Turn the piece RS out through that corner opening, carefully pressing into corners using a bone folder or chopstick. Press on both the front and back.

8. On that open corner, turn the exterior and lining fabrics toward the inside of the work ¼” (RS together), press and pin closed.

9. Using a 1/8” seam allowance, edgestitch around the ENTIRE piece on the RS, backstitching at the end.

Form envelope as follows:

1. Looking at the WS with that notched-off corner of the square at the bottom, fold the bottom upwards so that the edges align with that of one adjacent side corner when it is folded inwards. Pin in place.

2. Repeat on the other side.

3. Using embroidery floss, hand-sew those adjacent seams of the envelope using any stitch you fancy.

4. Choose a small button and mark the spot for placement of the corresponding buttonhole on the corner point of the envelope flap. Make a buttonhole and sew a button onto the envelope. Hey presto, you’ve made an envelope.

Now let’s get to the card!

1. If you wish to embroider your message on the card, do so NOW on the front fabric. A water-soluble pen is your friend, but keep your message short + sweet.
2. Once your message is complete, cut the front fabric to size (see dimensions above).
3. Fuse interfacing to WS of back fabric according to the manufacturer’s instructions, centering the interfacing ¼” in on each side.
4. Pin the front and back fabrics for the card RS together.
5. Using a ¼” seam allowance, stitch around the piece, leaving a 2” opening on one side for turning.
6. Clip the corners and turn the piece RS out through that opening, carefully pressing into corners using a bone folder or chopstick. Press on both the front and back.
7. On that opening, fold the fabrics toward the inside of the piece (RS together), press, and pin closed.

8. Using a 1/8” seam allowance, edgestitch around the ENTIRE piece on the RS, backstitching at the end.

Tuck the card inside the envelope + present it to someone special.

Here’s another example of a card + envelope. It includes nine different felt patches with embroidered words which can be combined in many ways to express sentiments appropriate on any given day.

I like that it’s interactive so we can leave one another messages in a prettier manner than the sticky-notes we have been known to scribble on.

You could also stamp the fabric using fabric ink, or piece together some fussy-cut patchwork-– Really, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.