This post is also available in: French
For a few years I have been trying to reduce my waste. When I choose a gift for friends or family, I also strive to make it as sustainable as possible. I like to offer non-material gifts, but I love to create things with my hands too.
So, one solution I found is to make a homemade reusable gift wrap containing an experience gift. It can be a concert ticket, a voucher for a dinner at the restaurant, or a course, to name only a few!
In this post I share with you my free gift envelope sewing pattern and I explain how to sew it.
Why use this gift envelope sewing pattern
- Firstly, it is a great way to upcycle fabric, to use fastenings and scraps from other sewing projects.
- You can make it truly unique by customizing it, with an embroidery for example.
- It is a reusable gift wrap. The person who receives the envelope can keep it as a souvenir, use it as a pouch, or even offer it again.
If you need ideas to fill your gift envelope with an experience gift, here is a list of 41 Non-Materialistic Gift Ideas.
Sewing the gift envelope
The finished size of the envelope is 8 ⅝ x 3 ½ inches (22 x 9 cm).
You can customize this gift wrap, for example by writing or painting a personal message or an artwork. To do so, use a fabric marker or fabric paint. In that case I would recommend you to mark the center of the front of the envelope before adding your decoration.
I made my first gift envelope with pieces of old bed sheets. Then I embroidered it with a love message and gave it to my husband with a ticket for a concert and a night in Paris!
For the fastening, I used a small piece of hook and loop tape (Velcro). But, of course, you can use a button and buttonhole, or a snap.
What you will need for this project
- Outer fabric : 10 ¼ x 9 ½ inches (26 x 24 cm)
- Lining : 10 ¼ x 9 ½ inches (26 x 24 cm)
- Fusible interfacing or cut away embroidery stabilizer : 9 ½ x 8 ⅝ inches (24 x 22 cm)
- Fastening : A small piece of hook and loop tape : ¾ x ⅜ inches (2 x 1 cm)
- Matching thread for the outer fabric
- Matching thread for the hook and loop tape
Download the PDF pattern, print and cut out
- Firstly download the free gift envelope PDF pattern.
- Then check your printer settings : the scale should be at “actual size” and the “print two sides” option should be unchecked.
- Print the first page and measure the test square with a ruler. If the size is the same as written on the PDF, print also page 2. If not, verify the scale settings and print again the first page.
- Cut the left border of page 2 along the line. Then align the left edge of page 2 on the right line of page 1. Carefully tape the pages together.
- Finally you can cut the pattern piece along the solid line.
Cut out the fabric
- Place the pattern piece on the wrong side of the outer fabric and pin on place.
- Then cut out the fabric along the paper. Mark the position of the hook and loop on the right side of the fabric.
- Repeat the two previous steps with the lining fabric. Beware that the hook and loop is not at the same position as on the outer fabric.
- Now that the outer and lining fabrics are cut, you can cut again the paper piece on the dashed line. Place it on the interfacing or embroidery stabilizer and cut it out.
Apply the interfacing or stabilizer
- Apply the embroidery stabilizer or interfacing on the wrong side of the outer fabric.
Customize your gift envelope
- At this point, if you chose to embellish the envelope, it’s time to do it! Add the embroidery design or other customization on the right side of the fabric. As you can see in the picture, I used one of my machine embroidery designs : “Love you” .
Stitch the hook and loop tape
- Place the hook and loop tape pieces : one part on the right side of the outer fabric and the other part on the right side of the lining. Stitch in place.
Stitch the envelope
- Firstly, place the outer fabric and lining with right sides together. Pin in place, then stitch the bottom line, except for a 2 inches (5 cm) turning gap.
- Press the seam allowances to one side.
- Fold the outer fabric along line B with right sides together. Make sure to align the stitched bottom of the envelope with line A. Pin in place.
- Then, repeat the previous step with the lining fabric.
- Lastly, stitch around the raw edges with a ⅜ inches seam allowance. Turn the envelope at the angles without raising the needle.
Finalize the envelope
- Clip the corners and press the seam allowances on one side.
- Turn the envelope right side out through the turning gap.
- Hand sew the gap with an invisible stitch.
- Finally iron the envelope with a pressing cloth to avoid damaging your embroidery or other decoration.
Et voilà! Put your letter, gift card or concert ticket in the envelope and give it to your loved one!
If you use this gift envelope sewing pattern, tell me in comment! You can of course post a picture of your envelope on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag me with : @filafaire and #giftenvelopeupcycled !
