How to Make an Envelope Wallet
Recycling has become not only a way to preserve the environment but spawned a new era in creating something from ordinary things. Wallets made from interesting material such as a mailing envelope is one of these projects. You can create one as an everyday wallet or even a coupon organizer. The heavy duty fiber type of envelope are the strongest and very durable as well as lightweight but any mailing envelope will work. An envelope with the flap still intact is best but you can use double sided tape if the stick strip is no longer an option.
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Things You'll Need
- 9 by12-inch used or new mailing envelope
- Ruler
- 9 by12-inch thin cardboard
- Marker
- Utility knife or scissors
- Double-stick tape
Instructions
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Lay the envelope on a flat surface, with the open flap facing up. Fold the bottom of the envelope up so that edge meets the top edge of the envelope just below the flap. Basically you are folding the entire envelope in half, minus the flap portion. Crease it well.
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2
Measure 2 and 5/8-inches from the bottom fold. Use this as a new fold line and fold the envelope over again. Crease well. Unfold.
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3
Fold the envelope in half width-wise to make a crease down the center of the envelope. Unfold and lay the envelope flat. You should have three creases up the length of the envelope, and one down the center.
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4
Slide the cardboard inside the envelope. Make a cut on first two horizontal creases, and the center line that runs between these two. Only cut through the top layer of the envelope, the cardboard is to keep the cut from going through both layers.Use the ruler as a straight edge to make the cuts. You should now have two flaps that open outwards on the top section of the envelope. Open the flaps.
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5
Flip the envelope over. Using the center crease as the circles center line mark and cut a circle about 2 5/8-inches in diameter. A good template for this is a cap from a spray can. Cut the circle out going through this layer only, again using the cardboard to keep from cutting through both layers. Remove the cardboard and lay it beneath the envelope.
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6
Cut a line extending from the crease just below the circle to the next lower crease in the envelope, along the horizontal center crease. Now cut two extensions on the top of this making a capital I shape, with the top and bottom horizontal cuts being 1 inch long. These cuts should go through both layers of the envelope with the cardboard acting as a base to protect your work surface. Fold the flaps back on the cuts you just made and crease well.
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Measure 3/8 of an inch from the bottom of the envelope and mark a line. This line is the bottom cut line, but rather than make it straight to the edge, it will curve downward to the bottom of the envelope on the outside corners. You can free hand a curve from the line to the bottom corner, or use a nickel as template to mark the curve. Cut the line and remove the bottom piece on both layers.
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8
Decorate the top half of the envelope if desired. This area will be the outside of the wallet. Fold the two small center flaps back down and flip the envelope over. Now fold the bottom half up. The two large flaps should still be open to the sides, reopen the two inner flaps and fold them back again. Apply double stick tape to the underside of the two small flaps and stick them down.
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9
Fold the outer flaps inward. Lay a piece of double stick tape width wise, as in side to side not top to bottom, across the center of the envelope where the two flaps come together. This will hold the flaps down but also stick the wallet together when closed. Now fold the envelope up at the crease just above the flaps and press down making sure the tape adheres all the areas inside the wallet.
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10
Remove the sealing tab from the flap of the envelope revealing the self stick strip that would close the envelope. If you are recycling a used envelope, place a strip of your double stick tape along this area where the strip has already been used. Spread the inner pockets of the wallet open with your fingers, and tuck the flap down inside the first one closest to the back where the envelope flap is. Press down to seal the tape or self stick strip.
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11
Refold along the center top to bottom crease, and the wallet is complete and ready for your money and cards.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
