How to Make an Envelope
Hello pen pallers!
This week I teamed up with fellow letter lover, Lina, from @fromlinawithlove on Instagram. (I'm giddy from the alliteration.)
Lina makes and decorates beautiful envelopes and letters for her pen pals all over the world. I was immediately drawn to the patterned paper she uses, how she pairs different stickers and notions, and just her whole aesthetic. She was kind enough to put this tutorial together to show you how to make an envelope! Check it out below, and give her a follow.
Hi snail mailers! It’s Lina from the Instagram accounts @fromlinawithlove and @wiscobujo. I started penpalling over a year ago, and I wanted to push my creativity by making and designing pretty envelopes! I also wanted to save more money by making my own envelopes because, as you may know, the cost of stationery adds up. Keep in mind, there are many other methods to make an envelope. Currently, I use an envelope punch board from We R Memory Keepers but the following method is for those who have limited supplies or want your paper orientation to be a certain way.
How To Make An Envelope:
Size 5x7, Using Scrapbook Paper
Materials:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Glue stick, double-sided tape or glue/tape runner
- Score board* (helpful)
- Cutting board* (helpful)
*Note: Many craft companies have a 2 in 1/dual cutting board/scoring board. I have the We R Memory Keepers 2 in 1, but they discontinued my cutting blade so I purchased a separate cutting board from Fiskars.
- Select the 12x12 paper you’d like to use (12x12 is standard paper size from most paper pads). It does not have to be 12x12, but the minimum is 10.5x10.5 for this 5x7 envelope size. I purchase my paper pads from Michael’s or Joann’s craft stores. The below patterns are from a Michael’s paper pad.
2. Measure and cut your 12x12 paper to 10.5x9 with scissors or a cutting board. I prefer the cutting board because it cuts a straight line. If your paper pattern has only one direction, you will have to keep in mind the orientation you cut the paper (otherwise the pattern ends up being sideways or upside down). For example, the paper I am using has a vertical pattern with the foliage pointing upwards. I want to keep this orientation so the height (vertical measurement) is 10.5 inches and width (horizontal measurement) is 9 inches.
3.If you have a scoring board, score your paper 1 inch from each left and right side, these will be your side flaps. I like scoring boards because they indent your paper in a straight line, and it makes things line up better when you fold the flaps in later on. If you do not have a scoring board, measure 1 inch from each side and mark with a pencil.
4. Turn your paper to the side 90 degrees. Measure with a ruler and pencil (or score with your scoreboard) 1.5 inches from the top of the paper. This is your top flap. Measure or score 4 inches from the bottom of the paper. This is the bottom flap.
Stick it down and voila! You have a pretty envelope, ready to use!
Check out my Instagram, @fromlinawithlove, to see how I decorate the front of envelopes with paper, stickers, and washi tape.
Pretty easy, right? Lina was super helpful and explained it wonderfully. I was so excited to try it out myself! I made two 5x7 envelopes which were a little bit wonky (they were a too small, but still functional) and even figured out how to make a letter-sized envelope using guesswork. A tutorial will be posted for that process, so make sure you subscribe via email ;) I hope you have fun with this tutorial - feel free to share your creations with Lina and I on Instagram! (@amstationery)
Keep Writing and Stay Curious!
Alison
