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Monday, April 11, 2011

The Prettiest Little Envelopes

_MG_3835.jpgWow! You guys are incredible. After this post, I received emails from you saying that you, too, have heard of Dave Ramsey and are participating in some form of Financial Peace University. Then I received a few emails wanting to know how I made my envelopes, so here you go! Hope this helps.
_MG_4806.jpgStart out by cutting out two pieces of fabric measuring 7 3/4 inches by 7 3/4 inches. It's a perfect square.
_MG_4809.jpgI thought this ice cream fabric would make a great envelope for groceries. What do you think? The inside will be the red with white polka dots, while the ice cream pattern will be on the outside.
_MG_4807.jpgWe don't want a flimsy envelope, so to add a little stiffness to the envelope I also cut one piece of heavyweight interfacing.
_MG_4808.jpgIron the interfacing to the wrong side of one of the pieces.
_MG_4816.jpgPlace your two fabric pieces right sides together and begin sewing around the outside edge. I like to make up my own seam allowances by using my presser foot of as a guide. It works well for this purpose.
_MG_4818.jpgLeave a small opening on one edge of the envelope.
_MG_4821.jpgClip the corners. Then turn the envelope inside out.
_MG_4910.jpgIron.
_MG_4911.jpgThis is what the outside of the envelope looks like after it has been turned inside out and ironed.
_MG_4912.jpgHere is the inside (or back) of the envelope. Notice on the left side there is still a small opening from where the envelope was turned. You can hand sew that little hole shut, or, if you're lazy, like I am just leave it. It will get sewn later. ;)
_MG_4913.jpgTopstitch the top and bottom edges.
_MG_4826.jpgThen fold the envelope in half and sew the side edges.
_MG_4914.jpgDone!
_MG_4918.jpgStick your money in there and you're good to go. Wasn't that easy? 
_MG_4917.jpgNow make one for all of your categories. Send me photos of your finished projects. I'd love to see them.

62 comments:

  1. This is too weird, my husband and I were going to start the envelope thing on his next paycheck...

    I have to make these! You picked the most adorable patterns for your fabric, too!

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  2. In seeing the title of your post, I started randomly singing the song The Green Grass Grows All Around Lyrics. lol Cute envelopes. :)

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  3. What do you do with your change? Do you have a LWML mite box?

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  4. Yay! Thank you for sharing! I can't wait to dig though my stash to make some for us.

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  5. How did you make your labels? Love these!!

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  6. Ha, ha, Erin! I actually carry my envelopes in my wallet. Perhaps I should post a photo. My wallet has a coin slot in the back.

    Amy, I made the labels on my computer and then printed them on an iron on fabric sheet.

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  7. Good one Erin! Thanks for the post Jan. Mine are still not done :) But Mom will be here next week so that greatly increases the chances of them getting finished!

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  8. *Gasp* I linked over from Pinterest. I loooove these. My hubs actually works for Dave Ramsey. :) Obviously we're a fan of the envelope system. I get sick of the paper cuts, though! I love this idea. I linked over because I was hoping you sold these on Etsy or something!! Hey, that'd help the debt snowbal... ;) I'm not much of a sewer. Perhaps I could do these with my magic hemming tape. :)

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  9. Missy! Thanks so much for the comment. You are too sweet. How cool that your husband works for Dave Ramsey. I do have an etsy store however I haven't sold anything. I've always had dreams to start selling stuff. Perhaps now would be a good time. :)

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  10. my husband and I have been doing the dave ramsey thing for a while, but I always used paper envelopes. I love the fabric ones. I made them last night and they are perfect!!!


    ~katryna

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  11. Katryna, glad to hear that they turned out well for you. I'd love to see a photo!

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  12. I can't wait to make these!! Thank you for the great idea and tutorial!!

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  13. We do the envelope system except I use plain white envelopes :( These are super super cute! Thanks for sharing :)

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  14. Hey Jan, In June you said you might start selling these cute envelopes. Did you ever do that? Please share a link if you did :)

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  15. Unfortunately I have not started selling them. I haven't had the time to sew lately. :( If I ever do get around to it I will definitely post the link.

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  16. Just found these through Pinterest. I love Dave Ramsey and this is a great way to do the envelope system. Off to purchase some heavyweight interfacing... :)

    Thanks for posting!

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  17. I LOVE this! :D One question: How do they hold up in the wash? Do they get flimsy?

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  18. Just saw your link on $5 dinners. We are a family of 7 and are going to start the FPU class in a few weeks! This is perfect! I'm a new stalker of your blog. It's gorgeous!

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  19. I'm not sure how they hold up in the wash. I've never washed mine. I think they would be okay since it's heavyweight interfacing.

    Nice to meet you Marisa! I love meeting new stalkers. :)

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  20. These are fantastic! I know of a certain little girl who is dying to use her new sewing machine and these would be fabulous! Thanks!

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  21. These are so cute! I am going to have to make these. Maybe we will be better at our Dave Ramsey plan. :-)

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  22. I'm a Dave Ramsey fan, too, and on a debt reduction snowball. I came across him just at the time I'd decided I would do that on my own. I love your envelopes!

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  23. these are awesome! i wish you did sell them, i found you via $5 dinners. i luv your blog!

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  24. I am planning on making some of these was considering a zipper though-is it neccessary? or is it just extra work, i would consider selling them if anyone is interested-just need to see how much time it takes and cost to set a price. Let me know what your thoughts are!

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  25. LOVE these!! We are a "Dave family" as well! Thanks for sharing.

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  26. I love these! Thank you for sharing them, can't wait to get started! :o)

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  27. These are cute.. will be making some.
    smile.

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  28. Thank you for all the sweet comments. I am hoping to get some up for sale in my Etsy shop soon. I'll keep you posted!

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  29. C'est une très bonne idée, je pense que je vais faire les mêmes...

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  30. Ok....so my response is WAY late, but I made a set of these tonight! Thank you SOO much for sharing the tutorial! SOOOO excited to start using them soon! Now if I could figure out how to post a picture!

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  31. My sister just sent me the link to this tutorial. These are so cute. She made one yesterday. I'll remind her to come post a pic. I want to make some too.
    Donna

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  32. My husband and i also have started the Dave Ramsey program. Love the envelopes! What do you do with your change?????

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  33. I actually have a wallet to fit all of my envelopes and the wallet has a little coin area in the back.

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  34. I love this idea! We use dave too but I hate the paper ones, they rip too easy!

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  35. I love your envelopes! What font are you using for the labels? It is super cute!

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  36. These are fabulous! :-) Sharing the tutorial on my Facebook page.

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  37. Now, if you wanted to make them very clean and long lasting inside and out, you COULD iron on vinyl, Heat n Bond makes a variety of weights that iron onto cotton fabrics - it would give you the weight you want plus easy wipe off/clean capability. Especially important with money and handling so much!

    Then you wouldn't have to worry about washing them!

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  38. Thank you for the sweet comments. The font I used is called Pea Faith Dots.

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  39. Love! Will be making these (after getting 40% off coupons for the interfacing I need) :)

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  40. I made up some of these fabulous envelopes the other day and I just wanted to say "thank you" for the idea and easy-to-follow tutorial! I posted a picture on my last post at:
    Www.three30three.blogspot.com

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  41. So for people who are not crafty and do not sew! Do you sale these!? I would love some!!

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  42. I love these! Do you sale them anywhere?? because I am not crafty and cannot sew:(

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  43. LOVE Dave! We have coordinated 3 classes so far and follow the envelope system! Your envelopes make it fun! Thanks for the ideas!~

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  44. I just saw your post and i can't wait until next month, my blow fund is already gone. This will be my craft project for next month!!! SO EXCITED, I am more likely to use it if it is cute!!!

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  45. Love this idea and have shared with many...I'm a little challenged though...should I have cut the interfacing smaller than the 7 3/4? I cut everything the same size and when I turned things right side out...well, it wasn't pretty!!!

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  46. I think with your tutorial even I could make these! Thank you for your step by step instructions. Your envelopes are so adorable! Now I have to get my husband to agree to use this method...

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  47. Thank you!

    If you clip the corners after sewing and then iron the envelope it shouldn't be too puffy. I cut everything the same size.

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  48. We are starting the envelope system (again) and I think I may just have to make some of these! I despise the paper ones that have practically disintegrated from use and want something more durable for MY envelopes at least (read groceries, clothing, and gifts...). I think I might add a velcro dot to hold them together along with a small ziplock bag inside each for my change. Hubby also likes a ledger, but I think I'll have better success putting the receipts in the envelope. Thanks so much for the easy tutorial!

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  49. These are awesome! I made a few today, posted on my blog and linked back to you! Thank you!

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  50. I want to buy these!!! (And I still have "blow money" left this month!! :-)

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  51. Just saw your envelopes, and I have to tell you that the "envelope" system was the only way we survived feeding/clothing/...well, raising 5 teenagers! (Waaay back in the 80's) I, like others commenting here, just used #10 white envelopes - but these look so pretty that it would almost be fun!

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  52. So excited to find this how to. I've been searching for a better system then a mess of envelopes in my purse! I found super cute ones on etsy however i cant justify buying what im not afraid to try to make myself! After i grt some interfacing i will be making these! Yay! And the iron on lable, brilliant! Love it all!

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  53. does anyone sell these at a reasonable price?

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  54. I have 4 extra envelopes that I made that I can sell to someone. Maybe Jan can get us in touch somehow. I don't want to put my email on here for fear that some automated program will pick it up and start spamming me! ;)

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  55. Thank you for this tutorial! My sewing skills leave much to be desired but I managed to make several of these for myself while on break for school, as well as some as a gift for a friend. I even sold one! Not sure how to leave a picture or would share :)

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  56. Thanks for sharing these lovely and cute wallet tutorials. keep it up and I follow you...

    flight bags
    leather tote bags
    wash bags for men
    sports bags for men
    retro bags

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  57. I loved these so much I made a pile of my own and blogged about it with a link back. Thank you for these, they have seriously improved the look of our Dave Ramseyness

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  58. Nice Post..Thank you for sharing...

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  59. Hi there Jan! I found my way here from another blog searching for a simple tutorial for fabric envelopes. So tired of shuffling through paper envelopes in my handbag. What a small world. Thanks!

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  60. I ran across your pin/blog yesterday and made myself some fabric envelopes. Thank you! I did change mine up a tiny bit, I couldn't find my interfacing, so they're slightly floppy, but not too bad, especially with cash in them. I also folded mine so they have a little flap over the front, and I don't lose anything or have cash slip out and get mixd up (cuz I know myself!)

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  61. I also added a small hair elastic with a button closure to your design. A little added security :-)
    Thanks for a super simple tutorial!!

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  62. LOVE this idea! I use the envelope method because I get paid once a month and it's the only way I can have money all month long. Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. My envelopes have worn out several times. This way I wouldn't have to make them every six months!

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