About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
50 mins

Sculpt and seal a translucent tea bag
Finished Size
71⁄2 x 43⁄4 inches (19 x 12.1 cm)

Project by Jennie Hinchcliff. From the book Pushing The Envelope by Marthe Le Van. Read our review <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/blog/pushing-the-envelope">here</a>.

<img src="http://storage.cutoutandkeep.net/blogs/1496/Screen_shot_2010-03-05_at_00.57.44_1267750893.jpg" />

Posted by Pushing The Envelope Published © 2024 Marthe Le Van / Lark Crafts · Reproduced with permission.
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  • Step 1

    With the piece of glassine or vellum paper in a landscape position, score a horizontal line with the bone folder 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the bottom edge. Fold the paper along this line upward from the bottom.

  • Step 2

    From the top edge, measure down 21⁄4 inches (5.7 cm) and score a horizontal line with the bone folder. Fold down from the top along this line. The top edge now overlaps the bottom edge slightly; glue the edges together along the overlap.

  • Step 3

    Turn the paper over with the seam side down and the paper still in the landscape position. Fold the right-hand edge over to the left-hand edge. Crease with the bone folder.

  • Step 4

    Measure in 5⁄8 inch (1.6 cm) from the creased edge; score a vertical line with the bone folder. Fold the top piece from left to right along this line.

  • Step 5

    Turn the paper over, measure in 5⁄8 inch (1.6 cm) from the creased edge again, and fold back the other side to match the first. This completes the expandable bottom of your tea bag envelope.

  • Step 6

    From the bottom of your envelope (where the creased edges are), measure 81⁄2 inches (21.6 cm); trim off all layers of paper to this length. Then measure 8 inches (20.3 cm) from the bottom and trim off only the top two layers of paper to this length, leaving the bottom two layers at 81⁄2 inches (21.6 cm).

  • Step 7

    Working with the top edge of your envelope, fold the left-hand corner over so that it forms a triangular shape; repeat on the right-hand side. Fold your two triangles to make their points meet in the middle, and leave approximately 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) unfolded in the middle of the top of your envelope—this makes the envelope look more like a tea bag when folded over.

  • Step 8

    Fold the topmost edge over so that the horizontal edge you left in step 7 is just below the meeting point of the two triangles. Crease with the bone folder.

  • Step 9

    Set the envelope aside. Write a letter or create a card. Then carefully unfold the top edge of the envelope and slip your missive inside one of the layers that form the envelope.

  • Step 10

    In the remaining layer, carefully pour loose-leaf tea. Remember, the envelope will have to make its way through a lot of complicated post office machinery, so try to keep the contents as flat as possible.

  • Step 11

    To create a return address label, fold the 4 x 15⁄8-inch (10.2 x 4.1 cm) piece of decorative paper in half vertically.

  • Step 12

    Using a coin, cut two rounded pieces away from the top corners of the return address label. Be sure the pieces being cut away are from the creased edge!

  • Step 13

    Sandwich the piece of twine inside the folded return address label. Staple to hold in place. Handwrite the return address or apply an address label.

  • How to make an envelope. Loose Leaf Tea Bag - Step 14
    Step 14

    Carefully unfold the top opening of your envelope; tuck the return address label inside, in the layer with the tea. Making sure that a tiny tail of twine is sticking out of the top of envelope, refold and staple closed.

  • How to make an envelope. Loose Leaf Tea Bag - Step 15
    Step 15

    Affix the address label and postage. Add other surface decoration if desired, and you’re ready to mail your creation!

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Comments

Penny F.
Penny F. · North Bay, Ontario, CA · 19 projects
This is a cute idea but I personally would not ship my teabags out like this. Giving as a gift to someone wrapped like this is a cute idea but I would have to make several of these as I couldn't give just one out unless it is with something else tea related. Happy
Reply
Erika B.
Erika B. · Ashburn, Virginia, US
BAD THINGS COULD HAPPEN IN SHIIPPING x.x O.o i work at ups. that could be a bad idea, but very cute xD
Reply
*Witchy Rachie*
*Witchy Rachie* · Holon, IL · 70 projects
this is soooo cute! do they actually get sent that way??? :-D
Reply

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