Handmade Envelopes: 3 Ways

How to Make An Envelope

Each homemade card is so special, but where can I find an envelope to put it in? Here are three ways to make handmade envelopes to use with those wonderful handmade cards, plus a video to make it even easier!

Take your pick between a Traditional, Square, or Pocket envelope, all unique in their own way. Customize to fit the card you'd like to send, then, as the old saying goes, "send it in a letter...sealed with a kiss!"

Tips for Making your Own DIY Envelopes

We created these handmade envelopes to fit a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” sized card (¼ the size of a regular 8 ½ x 11” piece of paper), but the beauty of this tutorial is that the size is customizable! Use your card as a guide along the way to make the envelope a perfect fit for your handmade card. But remember, you may want to hand deliver your uniquely sized cards as the postal service has size requirements and they may take extra postage to send in the mail.

As you fold the paper, use the edges of the paper as a guide for that fold. When the edges of the paper are aligned, you are more likely to make a straight crease! Use your scissor handles, the side of the pencil, or even a fingernail to make your creases crisp. This makes such a clean, beautiful looking envelope.

Once you get the hang of it, think outside the box! Any paper may be used. How about trying wrapping paper for a large card, old maps, butcher paper, newspaper or magazine pages? The sky is the limit.

Now, put out the paper and markers for the “grand” kids to make a card for that special someone. Then make a handmade envelope that fits it like a glove. In this digital age, a handmade card is sure to touch a heart!

Watch How to Make Handmade Envelopes!

How to make a traditional envelope

You'll Need: Card stock (or other paper of choice), Scissors, Glue, Pencil

• If you are using an 8.5x11” piece of paper, you’ll first need to cut it down to a square size.
• With a separate piece of 8.5x11” piece of paper (to use as a pattern), make a “taco fold” by folding one corner of the paper down so the edges of the paper align.
• Use the edge of the paper as a guide to cut off the excess tab of the paper.
• Unfold the triangle, then use the square pattern to cut a square from your envelope paper.
• Position your piece of paper like a diamond, and the card horizontally, centered in the middle of the diamond.
• Fold the right point of the paper over the right edge of the card and make a crease, then repeat with the left point. Unfold the paper completely.
• Now fold the bottom point over the bottom edge of the card and make a crease, repeat with the top then unfold completely.
• Using the creases as guidelines, cut out the four small triangles that your folds created along the edges of the paper.
• Fold the bottom flap in, then the right and left flaps. You will see the point of the bottom flap showing between the left and right flaps.
• With your pencil, make two small dots on the bottom flap, right where the right and left flaps intersect with it.
• Unfold the right and left flaps, then cut off the tip of the bottom flap in a straight line between the two dots. Erase the dots if they are still showing.
• Fold the right and left flaps in and add a stripe of glue along the bottom edges of both flaps.
• Fold up the bottom flap and secure it on the glue.
• Lastly, let the glue dry, then your handmade envelope is ready to go!

Watch that video again if it makes it easier!

How to make a Square Envelope

You'll Need: Card stock (or other paper of choice), Scissors, Glue, Pencil

• Position your paper vertically, then your card horizontally, with
  the bottom edge of the card aligned with the bottom edge of the paper.
• Fold the top of the paper over the card and, using the top edge of
  the card as a guide, make a crease in the paper. Unfold the paper completely.
• Move your card so that the bottom edge of the card is now aligned
  with your crease in.
• Fold the top of the paper over the card, using the top edge of the
  card to again make a crease in the paper. Unfold the paper.
• Make sure your card is centered on the paper, then fold the right
  side of the paper over the card. Repeat with the left side of the paper.
• Unfold the paper, then use the creases as guidelines to cut away
  the top two smaller corners.
• Fold in the sides of the paper, then place a stripe of glue along
  the middle section.
• With the edges still folded in, fold the bottom section up and
  secure it on the glue stripes.
• Let the glue dry, then your handmade envelope is ready to go!

Don't forget about that video as a help if you need it!

 

How to make a pocket envelope

You'll Need: Card stock (or other paper of choice), Scissors, Glue, Pencil

• Position your paper horizontally, then your card vertically in the
  center of the paper.
• Fold the right side of your paper over the card and make a crease.
  Repeat with the left side.
• Now fold the bottom edge of the paper up over the card, and repeat
  with the top edge.
• Completely unfold the paper and remove the card to show the
  pattern that the creases have created.
• Use the creases as guidelines to cut the “boxes” out from each
  corner of the paper.
• At this point you can either round off the corners of the top and
  bottom flaps, or leave them as-is to if you’d prefer the square look.
• Fold in the left side of the envelope and add a stripe of glue
  along the edge, now fold in the right side and secure it shut.
• Add a stripe of glue along the bottom flap, then fold it up to secure
  it shut.
• Finally, let the glue dry, then your handmade envelope is ready to go!

I don't need to mention that video...always my go to for trying something new!

How to mail a handmade envelope

Now that you've finished, it's time to send off your special note! After you add your card, add some glue with your glue stick to the edge of the envelope flap and fold it over to seal. I like to set a book or something heavy on top of the envelope while the glue dries, in order to make sure the seal is really secure.

If you'd like to add some decoration and a little extra protection to the seal, place some stickers or decorative tape over the edge of the envelope flap.

Before send your envelope in the mail, you'll want to make sure it fits the correct guidelines for your local mail carrier. You can check the dimensions and weight requirements for envelopes sent through the USPS here on their website. Generally, you'll want to make sure your envelope is less than ¼" thick and less than 1 oz in weight.

Tip: If your card inside the envelope is too thick or lumpy due to the fun decorations you picked, you may have to pay some extra postage. If you have any concerns about this, check in with your local post office to send the envelope and they will let you know what postage is needed.

DIY Ideas for Your Own Homemade Cards

Want to make something to put in your envelope? Check out more fun tutorials for DIY cards and envelopes:

• Mother's Day Mobile Card
• DIY Stained Glass Heart Card
• DIY Pop Up Card
• Awesome Origami Shirt Card
• Cheerful Spring Tri-Fold Table Card
• How to Make Fabric Envelopes
• Pressed flower card

ENJOY!

If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.