My cousin is graduating from law school this weekend and I am so proud of her. I really can’t imagine going through the amount of undivided studying that girl has done these past few years, but hip, hip, hooray : she is done {okay, not completely since there is still the Bar to study for, but at least she has earned her law degree!}
I have been trying to come up with something memorable and special to give her as a congratulation gift but finally came to the conclusion that money is always the most appreciated gift for any student.
Rather than just giving a wad of cash, I created this fabric envelope as the wrapping for the money inside.
If you have a grad to celebrate, this might be a great gift idea for you too.
Here’s what you’ll need:
:: fabric envelope template {download below}
:: two pieces of fabric
:: fusible webbing {I used heavyweight stiffness}
:: scissors, pencil, iron, sewing machine, thread
STEP ONE: print template, cut out and trace onto fusible webbing
Here’s a close up of what I used – purchased at my local fabric store.
STEP TWO: layer fusible webbing between fabric
Cut fabric slightly larger than the webbing and stack
adding the second fabric over top.
STEP THREE: iron to secure webbing {follow directions from the packaging}
STEP FOUR: trim edges
I trimmed about a 1/4 inch away from the fusible webbing, but you can trim right up next to it if you prefer.
STEP FIVE: fold
Use the dotted lines on the template to place fold lines {or just eyeball it}
STEP SIX: stitch along edges
Trying to sew and hold a squirmy 16 month old at the same time makes for pretty funky stitch lines – lesson learned. Don’t worry if your stitches aren’t perfect, they will be covered in the end.
EMBELLISH
Here’s what you’ll need:
:: button
:: elastic {this is flat 1/8 inch that I buy by the yard}
:: needle & thread
:: flower {I used a flouncy flower – tutorial here}
STEP ONE: cut elastic
STEP TWO: stitch button and elastic to top of envelope
STEP THREE: create a loop in opposite end of elastic and stitch to secure
Loop the elastic around the envelope and around the button to hold shut.
STEP FOUR: attach flower
I used a dab of hot glue to attach the flower to the envelope right above the button.
What a fun package!
You can add in money,
or a gift card to a favorite store
I think any grad would appreciate the thought and the gift inside.
To make you own, please feel free to use the template {click the image to download}
Congratulations to all of you amazing graduates!
How did you make the flower?
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I just made one of these and realized halfway into it that I got the wrong kind of fusible webbing – it’s not stiff enough for a wallet-envelope. So I just made the envelope a bit bigger and am going to gift it as a glasses case instead. Now I think I’ll go make a few more. :)
Hopefully sooner rather than later I am going to make these and stick ultrasound pictures in them…fun creative way to announce the news!
This is SO clever, and I featured this project on my blog today. Here is the link:
http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2011/06/wednesdays-wowzers-4.html
Thanks for inspiring!
~Alison
Hey Emily! Thanks for this tutorial–my daughter and I got busy and made several for her friends who were graduating. We tucked a card, a CD and a necklace in ours: http://shannonberrey.com/_blog/Shannon_Berrey_Design_Blog/post/Giftbags_senior_gift_ideas_high_school_fabric_envelope_how_to_/
Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hello! This is so girly! Putting flower in the middle of the envelope is perfectly okay! I also hopped around your tutorial page and it is really helpful! thanks! Now I can create my own personalized envelope! =)
This is so girly! Putting flower in the middle of the envelope is perfectly okay! I also hopped around here in your tutorial page and it is really helpful! thanks! Now I can create my own personalized envelope! =)
Such a fantastic idea that I made it just a tad bigger (more like wallet size) and used it for my (shameless self-promotion alert!) first ever giveaway on my brand-new blog (and linked back to your tutorial, of course):
http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2011/06/rolled-fabric-flower-corsagesand.html
Thanks for keeping the great ideas coming, Emily!
This is such a great idea!! I absolutely love the different fabrics that you chose. I’m sure she will love this!!
I L.O.V.E.D this tutorial so much that I just couldn’t wait to make one myself! I blogged about mine and added your link!
http://theclowerfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/shabby-chic-fabric-envelopepurse.html
This is truly a terrific tutorial. Thank you!
If you get a chance, please stop by and enter the giveaway I am hosting on my blog.
Happy Monday!
Love this so much! My daughter made one for a teacher gift and is so happy with it! We have also made your ikea “grain bag” pillows and love them so much! You have the best tutorials! So generous and lovely!
tammy t
Such a great idea and adds a lovely personal touch to the gift! I’ll have to remember this one… thank you!
I love this! Emily, would you mind sharing where you found your gray material?
Let me guess, it’s from forever ago… ;)
Ha! For once it actually is a recent purchase. The gray material is cotton shirting that I bought from Pacific Fabrics here in the Seattle area. Look for something similar in the apparel section of your fabric store.
Yay! I live near the Northgate store. Here’s hoping they have some after the hayday of the Anniversary Sale! Thanks for sharing… :)
This is so cute Emily–and very thoughtful. I am glad that you and Ryan are coming and I know it means a lot to Becky too!! See you tomorrow. : )
Love this! I thought this was so cute and thought I will definitely keep it in mind, and then today I came across this on Martha Stewart similar idea and a little fancier hope you don’t mind me sharing!
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/lace-clutch-clip-art?backto=true
Oooh … that is a cute clutch on the martha site … I like how she ties it with ribbon.
Thanks for the great idea I made one yesterday for my sister who is graduating from U of O we were just going to put her money in an envelope but this was a way cuter idea! Oh and I used your gathered flower instead and it turned out perfect. I plan on making a bunch more for gift cards down the road. Thanks for the inspiration!
i thought the same as another reader “cute clutch!” – so many uses – this is adorable – where do you come up with these ideas?! thanks so much for sharing with your loyal readers :)
How? How do you come up with these amazing, creative ideas?! Truly lovely.
My sister in law, Chasity has often shared your wonderful tutorials. Thank you so much for posting them! I hope you don’t mind that I posted your link on my facebook. You are so talented and so kind to share your ideas. I just love that about all the wonderful ladies I have met blogging. Have a wonderful night! Warmly, Debbie
What a great idea! I love that striped fabric too! I don’t know anyone who is graduating, so that means I can just make one for myself, right?! :)
You are so amazing!! I love all your ideas. Do you know how much $$ you would make if you sold these in your shop. I know you do not have much time, but they would sell girl.
Happy Weekend!!
I love this idea! Thanks for posting the template!
I think the flower makes it! ‘Love that flower. These are so neat; I made a really similar tiny pouch for a business card case for my husband’s birthday last month. We just graduated ourselves last month, I know I’d love something like that, even it weren’t filled with goodness!
Question- how is the elastic supposed to work with the flower glued on? Does the tiny loop still fit over the flower, or is that supposed to stay attached to the button and you just slip the band off one end of the envelope and back…always staying attached at the button? Thanks!
Seriously AMAZING!!! It always blows me away with these terrific ideas that you come up with and share. I love it!! I’m always so excited that my projects always turn out just like your tutorial..because they’re amazing too!! Thank you oh so much!!
HUGS!
Once again, you Wow us with your clever and classic designs! I will certainly try my hand at this one! Thanks for sharing.
May I just say that you are genius! Simple to make and yet fabulous! This is the best way to give money with meaning. Next for a wedding you will have to do a b/w one with a bow tie instead of a flower. Wish I had one coming up! Wow the ways you can run with this! Thank you for sharing the pattern as well.
Love, love… love, love, love :D How great would this be for a sunglasses case?! I think I’m going to do that! Thanks for yet another fab tutorial :D
this is so incredibly thoughtful! and thanks for sharing the tutorial. what a beautiful gift!
so cute and what a creative way to give some moola! love it!
emily! you are full of endless creativity! love this and am going to make a few this weekend. thank you!!
LOVE.
Just want to let you know – I love reading your blog.
This is such a great idea! I’ll definitely be making a few for some grads!
Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial! I definitely plan to use it! I have so many grad invitations this year.
Blessings,
Tricia
I seriously thought “What a cute clutch!”. Great gift envelope but I bet you could make it a bit bigger for a clutch.
Perfect timing! Thanks so much….AGAIN :) BTW, I received the name print for my baby shower next weekend & it is SPECTACULAR! Seriously!! It will be our center piece at the shower and then my daughter can take it home with her for the nursery. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you again.
What an adorable idea….oh, such creativity!
Emily, emily, emily….I love your blog. Your generosity is so plentiful and gracious and I am so grateful to know you. I am so blessed
Another great idea! Sew simple. Thanks for sharing this one.
Love it! Thanks for the tutorial…what a great gift idea!
Yes! Perfect for my sister’s wedding gift-cash- and my husband’s co-workers to hand around the office for a gift for the department secretary. Love this.
So cute, Emily! Love your fabric + flower choices – so cute! Will certainly tuck this one away.
Quite adorable, dear!
Amazing! What a simple and great idea! I think I can do this one! My cousin is graduating from Harvard next year! However, my cousin is a he! Do you think this would work?
Love this idea! I have two weddings to attend this month and this will be perfect to make those cash gifts have some charm and special-ness. Happy Friday! :)
Love the tutorial. Great idea for upcoming weddings and showers. Thanks for sharing! :)
Super tutorial and great idea! Will save in my brain idea file for next year’s grads (everyone here in Georgia graduated in May.) Be proud of your law degree cousin! My son just took the LSAT to start on his long journey in law school a year from now.
Have a happy weekend!
kelly in georgia
this is such a cute idea. perfect with summer weddings and graduations coming up. also- i love your fabric combinations!
Emily, Emily – creative girl! I so don’t sew but I’d buy these from you in a snap! Happy day to you. :)