See how easy it is to make a custom envelope for all of your handmade cards. The envelope can be made from white or colored paper, and can be decorated to match your card. The envelope patterns in this project are sized to go with Aunt Annie's Pop-Up Cards, Heart-Shaped Cards and all the cards in the Greeting Card Tutorials.
Project extra: The project also includes tips on making an envelope to fit any size card or letter, and special Mother's Day envelope and Father's Day envelope.
Related craft: See the Mother's Day Pop-Up Card craft project for another style of envelope that fits Pop-Up Cards, and the Patterns for Envelopes with Square Flaps for more envelopes in three sizes.
Choose the envelope size and design that you want to make. For most handmade cards, the invitation/A2 size envelope should work. This size fits 5½" by 4¼" cards, quarter-folded letter-size paper, and the cards in the Greeting Card Tutorials. The Pop-up Card envelope fits 5 1/8" by 4" cards, and the Heart-Shaped Card envelope fits 5" by 4¼" cards. If you want to make a custom size of envelope, see How to Make a Custom Envelope in Any Size. Or for more envelope sizes, see Patterns for Envelopes with Square Flaps.
Tip: Notice the labels marking the top and bottom envelope flaps.
Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.
All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter-size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader, you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.
Color the envelope with any colors and designs you like. If you plan to mail the envelope, be especially careful not to color where the address and return address will be written.
Cut out the envelope on the solid black line. Try to make your cuts very straight. The envelope will fit together better with straight edges.
Tip: It is easier to make straight cuts with a craft knife and ruler. Protect the table with thick cardboard or a cutting mat. Place the ruler along the line to be cut, then carefully draw the craft knife along the ruler's edge. Be sure to keep your fingertips away from the knife. Careful: craft knives are very sharp and should only be used by adults.
Turn the envelope with the printed side down. Fold the side flaps over on the black lines. Next, fold the bottom flap up on its black line, and fold the top flap down on its black line.
Tip: Make a sharp crease by running your thumbnail firmly along the fold.
Unfold the top flap. Notice where the bottom flap overlaps the side flaps. This is where you need to put the glue. Unfold the bottom flap and put glue along the sides. Now fold the bottom flap over the side flaps and press.
Tip: Be very neat with the glue. Be sure that there is no glue on the inside of the envelope.
Insert your card or letter in the envelope. Fold the top flap over and seal it with glue, tape or a sticker.
When making envelopes in advance or to give as gifts, you can apply gum to the flap that is licked to seal it. Just follow the Seal Gum recipe.
That's it! The envelope is ready
for your card!