How to Make Envelopes at Home
Next time you send a letter or card, consider using a handmade envelope rather than a plain, store-bought one. You can make your own envelopes using decorative, colorful papers and a few other simple materials. A handmade envelope will add a personal, creative touch to your greeting cards and everyday correspondence. Sets of handmade envelopes also work well as gifts.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 store-bought envelope
- Construction paper or other colored or patterned paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Rubber cement or glue
Instructions
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1
Select a paper to use for your envelopes. You can use wrapping paper, newspaper or magazine pages, construction paper, card stock, maps or any other paper you can find.
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2
Unfold the store-bought envelope to use as a template.
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3
Use a pencil to trace the edges of the unfolded envelope onto the paper you plan to use to make your own envelope.
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4
Cut out the traced envelope shape.
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5
Carefully fold over the side flaps and then fold the bottom flap over the side flaps.
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6
Glue the bottom flap to the two side flaps with rubber cement or other glue to secure it in place.
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7
Fold over the top flap and seal it after you have inserted your card or letter.
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Tips & Warnings
You can follow these same instructions using greeting-card envelopes, traditional letter envelopes or larger envelopes.
Use markers or watercolors to decorate plain, light-colored paper to use for envelopes.
Supervise and help young children with cutting and pasting.
