Learning paper crafts can help you to use scrap paper to create artful stationary, envelopes and more. Gather old calendars, magazine pages or tissue paper to make decorative envelopes. These envelopes can be used for letters, gift cards, scrapbooking and recipes. The best way to ensure your envelopes are uniform is to create and use a template. You can buy a template at a craft store or make it yourself. Create your own stationary in the color, pattern and shape of your choice. Learn how to make tissue paper envelopes.
Steps
Making an Envelope Template
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Find an envelope in a size you would like to copy. Fold up a piece of your stationary to make sure that it will fit in your envelope.
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Turn the envelope to the back side. Use your fingers or an X-Acto knife to carefully lift the folded edges of the envelope 1 by 1.
- You should have a square shape with scalloped edges. Each edge will fold in a triangle shape to create the pocket of your envelope.
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Trace the shape of the envelope onto a piece of heavy card stock with a pencil. Cut the template out with a pair of scissors.
- To create a more durable template, place the unfolded envelope on top of a thick piece of cardboard. Draw the shape onto the cardboard. Cut it with sharp scissors or an X-Acto knife.
Making a Tissue Paper Envelope
- Find a piece of tissue paper that is slightly bigger than the template you have just made.
- Cut a piece of freezer paper that is a few inches wider and taller than the tissue paper.
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3Heat up an iron on a low to medium setting.
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Place the piece of tissue paper on your craft table. Keep the patterned side down.
- To create more texture on your envelope, crinkle your tissue paper up into a small ball. Smooth it out again, before you start your envelope.
- Place the sheet of freezer paper on top of the tissue paper, with the waxy side down.
- Place your iron on top of the freezer paper. Smooth the iron over the paper in even strokes, until the paper is hot. You can stop when you can't peel the freezer paper from the tissue paper.
- Place the template on the backside of the freezer/tissue paper. Trace the template onto the freezer paper side with a pencil.
- Cut the template shape out of the paper.
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Take a straight edge and connect the base of each triangle on each side of the square. Fold the triangle in. Start by folding in the 2 matching sides of the envelope.
- Use a bone folder to create a firm crease.
- Fold the bottom triangle up and crease well. The bottom is usually flat at the top, rather than pointed.
- Apply craft glue sparingly to the edges of the bottom triangle. Keep the craft glue right near the edges, so that the glue sticks to the side triangles rather than the inside of the envelope.
- Allow the glue to dry well. Check to make sure the inside of the envelope is open and not glued together.
- Fold the top triangle down and crease well.
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Place your object or stationary inside of the envelope. Affix the top with glue along the edges, a sticker, or choose to leave it open.
Things You'll Need
- Envelope
- Card stock
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Tissue paper
- Freezer paper
- Iron
- Bone folder
- Craft glue
- Straight edge
- X-Acto knife
