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DIY Envelopes

  • Completed Project: DIY Envelopes Picture #1
  • Completed Project: DIY Envelopes Picture #2

Turn old magazines, paper or anything in to cute DIY envelopes.
 <  Image 1 of 2  > 

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  1. Step 1

    Step 1

    Start off with an envelope in the size you want, you're going to make a template of this that you can use over again and again.

    The great thing about this, is that you can make any size or shape envelope that you want, so you'll always have the right envelope in stock.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2

    Fold out the envelope, carefully unsticking it at the edges, don't worry you can re-stick it later.


  3. Step 3

    Step 3

    Lay the folded out envelope flat on top of a sheet of heavy card. Trace around the outline with a pencil.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4

    Cut out the card envelope shape and then draw a line (with a ruler) between all four corners, so that you get a rectangle in the middle.


  5. Step 5

    Step 5

    Use the ruler and a cutting knife to score lightly along these lines.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6

    You can now fold your template up in to the envelope shape.

  7. Step 7

    Step 7

    Now take the ruler and measure half a centimeter in from the edge, marking points around the outline.

  8. Step 8

    Step 8

    Draw in a second, inner, outline half a centimeter in from the edge.

  9. Step 9

    Step 9

    Use the cutting knife, so cut small slits along this template, making sure to leave the edges un-cut (otherwise it will just fall apart).

  10. Step 10

    Step 10

    You should now have a template that looks like this.

  11. Step 11

    Step 11

    Now comes the fun part. Pick some paper you want to make envelopes out of. You can use magazine pages, wrapping paper or anything you like.

    I used an advert for the Zune for the ones shown.

  12. Step 12

    Step 12

    Take your template and draw around the outline on to your paper.

  13. Step 13

    Step 13

    Cut this out and score along the edges like before.

  14. Step 14

    Step 14

    Take some tissue paper and draw along the inner outline on to this.

    If you're going to be sending something delicate, you could cut bubble wrap to line your envelope.

  15. Step 15

    Step 15

    Cut the tissue paper out and glue on to the envelope, so that the tissue paper will be on the inside of the envelope.

  16. Step 16

    Step 16

    Fold the envelope up, glue down the bottom edges of the envelope and you're all done!

Versions (5)


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People who love this project (See all 365) »



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ʎǝɔɐɹƃ

ʎǝɔɐɹƃ

March 24th, 2008 19:08

OOhh this is fantastic

ʎǝɔɐɹƃ

ʎǝɔɐɹƃ

March 24th, 2008 19:53

I made one x

Danyell W.

Danyell W.

March 24th, 2008 21:21

This is an awesome idea--why didn't I think of it?! Haha.

mlc1803 m.

mlc1803 m.

March 24th, 2008 22:34

so easy and cute :)!

Shivi

Shivi

March 25th, 2008 08:31

aargh! if only I had seen this project a couple of hours ago- it was just what I needed- god I am so mad at myself!!!
nice project by the way

Vintageneedle

Vintageneedle

March 25th, 2008 12:52

My son is getting married in June and my daughter in law to be is a DIY're, she will love this idea since the wedding is being designed to REMEMBER.
Vintageneedle

hippie...

hippie...

March 25th, 2008 16:46

this is awesome!

HighPlaces

HighPlaces

March 25th, 2008 20:02

oh awesome I made tons of these when I was a kid! Now I have to make tons more!!.... I used to make the template then collage a bunch of pictures over-top.

Cat Morley

Cat Morley

March 25th, 2008 22:09

Thanks for all the comments everyone, I look forward to seeing all of your awesome envelopes!

Poodle lover

Poodle lover

March 28th, 2008 23:18

this is really cute.

Miss Mess

Miss Mess

March 29th, 2008 14:21

Great idea...and yours look so good too

Erika A.

Erika A.

April 3rd, 2008 13:45

Woah this is so awesome!

Siany

Siany

June 8th, 2008 00:27

Awesome! :)
I love making *tiny* envelopes with little surprises in them :)

Lilim

Lilim

June 27th, 2008 19:25

I just luff learning new ways to make envelope

*scout nubbies*

*scout nubbies*

September 29th, 2008 15:36

oooh, i'm so gonna try this :)

Spongebob

Spongebob

November 1st, 2008 12:41

Oohh I like these!

milomade

milomade

November 11th, 2008 09:17

beautiful!

lini e.

lini e.

January 7th, 2009 03:51

i wont tell you how long it took me to do this because it's really embarressing but i love the end result thankyou!

Kayla

Kayla

February 10th, 2009 01:29

i loved making my envelop!! i made a pancake one!! i wil most def be making a ton of these!!!

glitterysah

glitterysah

March 9th, 2009 17:00

this is excellent!! love the use of tissue paper and suggestions re bubblewrap. thank you, love it!! xxx

Lelia R.

Lelia R.

April 22nd, 2009 16:17

so much fun to do... and they are so easy!

Crystal W.

Crystal W.

May 27th, 2009 20:28

Very cute!