4 simple steps to make fabric envelopes for wrapping small gifts

They say good things come in small packages. Making your own gift wrap by hand pretty much guarantees that those small packages will be special. Here's how to hand stitch fabric envelopes for wrapping small gifts.

• Find a paper envelope that's the same size as the fabric envelope you want to make. You will use this as a template for cutting out your fabric.
• Choose two coordinating fabrics. It's easy to find holiday-themed fabric in craft stores and online. Alternatively, you can use solid colours and embroider or applique a holiday design onto the envelope later.
• You'll also need iron-on interfacing, thread, embroidery thread, buttons and a vanishing pen.

• Make a template for cutting the fabric with the paper envelope. Open up the sides of your paper envelope and lay it flat.Using the vanishing pen, trace the envelope onto your iron-on interfacing with a pencil.
• Following the manufacturer's instructions, iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of your lining fabric.
• Cut out the envelope about a half a centimetre away from the line you drew to create a seam allowance.
• Trace the envelope onto the wrong side of your outer fabric with the vanishing pen and cut it out, again leaving a seam allowance of half a centimetre.

• Place the right sides of the two pieces of fabric together, and sew along the line you drew with your vanishing pen. Leave a small gap open along the bottom.
• After sewing, trim the seam allowances if necessary and clip the corners and any curves so they lie flat when the envelope is turned right side out.
• Carefully turn the fabric right side out through the gap. Gently push your fingers into the corners to get them looking sharp.
• Tuck the raw edges at the gap inside and stitch it closed from the outside with tiny stitches.
• Iron the envelope to smooth out the edges. Fold the flaps into position with the lining side facing out and iron them.
• Sew up the sides to create the envelope pocket, turn it right side out and iron it flat again.

• There are several ways to make the closure for the envelope. You could sew on a simple snap, use Velcro, attach ribbons to tie, or you could make a button hole on the top flap and sew a button on the pocket.
• A double button fastening is also easy to do. Sew a button on the flap and one on the pocket. Then fasten the envelope closed by wrapping a length of embroidery floss around both buttons.
• A handmade fabric envelope is really a gift in itself. Imagine filling several of them with special treasures and stuffing everyone's stocking with your festive and thoughtful fabric envelopes.