How to Make a 6x7 Envelope

Calculations for making any size envelope

Handmade greeting cards are like a small gift. They deserve to be "gift wrapped" in an equally special envelope. Making your own envelopes allows you to recycle many types of paper: maps, gift wrap or handmade paper. You can mail an envelope made of patterned paper if you glue a rectangle of plain paper to the front for the address. You can make envelopes in any size from 6 by 7 inch to smaller or larger.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock
• Scrap paper, 12 by 12 inches or larger
• Envelope paper, 12 by 12 inches
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Glue

Instructions

Making a Pattern for the Envelope

1. Cut a 6-by 7-inch piece of card stock.

2. Lay a piece of scrap paper on the table with one of the corners at the top of the table. The paper must be at least 12 by 12 inches.

3. Center the piece of card stock on the paper with the longest edge parallel to the edge of the table.

4. Trace around the card stock.

5. Mark the center of each edge of the rectangle.

6. Mark a point 1/2 inch directly above each of the top corners of the rectangle.

7. Mark a point 3 1/2 inches directly above the center of the top edge of the rectangle (half the width of the side plus 1/2 inch).

8. Use a pencil to draw a line connecting the left corner, the point above that corner, the point above the center, the remaining point and the right corner.

9. Turn the paper 90 degrees and repeat the three previous steps. For this side the center point will be 4 inches up because the side this time is 7 inches.

10. Repeat for the remaining two sides.

11. Cut out this shape. It is the pattern for your envelope.

Making the Envelope

1. Trace the pattern onto the wrong side of your envelope paper.

2. Cut out the envelope.

3. Place the card stock in the center of the envelope. Fold the four points of the paper into the center over the card stock. Unfold the paper and remove the card stock.

4. Fold the two side flaps in toward the center. Put a small amount of glue along the bottom edges of these flaps.

5. Fold the bottom flap up, press it down firmly and allow the glue to dry for several minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• After you have inserted your card the top flap may be glued down for mailing or tucked in for hand delivery.

• A 6-by-7 card will not fit in a 6-by-7 envelope. Make your envelope bit larger than the card.

• The post office will not deliver very large or very small cards.

References

• Making-Greeting-Cards.com: Making Envelopes is a Snap