i is for instructions

I enjoy putting together furniture from IKEA.  I browse through craft books, just reading the directions, looking at the step-by-step photos.  I bookmark tutorials I find all over the internet, and now I'll add another very simple one. 

Here are the instructions for making your own sewn envelope favors (someone, please help me think of a better name than that!) petite pillow packets (thanks, Beth!).

1.  Assemble your materials: glassine envelopes, rubber stamp, pigment ink pad, embossing powder, heat gun,  whatever you want to put inside your envelopes, and sewing machine.

2.  Stamp your design onto the envelopes, cover with embossing powder, shake off excess, heat, and try not to swear when you scorch your fingertips.  Better yet, try to skip the scorching part entirely.

3.  Fill your envelopes with whatever you like.  In my case, 6 pillow mints per package.  Try not to fill too much, maybe only two-thirds full, because you're going to have to fold the flap over and...

4.  ... feed through your sewing machine, chain-piecing style, with at least an inch of thread (longer is better) between each envelope.  Finally, a chance to use some of those decorative stitches on my machine!

5.  Snip apart your little packets, cutting close on one side but leaving a long tail on the other.  This will serve as the little pull-tab your guests will use to unzip the envelope.   

6.  Repeat 400 more times, give or take.  Really, they do go together very quickly if you've got an assembly line going.

As always, the possibilities with something like this are endless.  Size, paper type, decoration, color and thread are just a few of the many things that could be fiddled around with to create your own little unique sewn envelopes.  I really wanted to include a little tag at the end of the threads, with my cousin's and her fiancé's name and possibly the date on it, but as usual, my plans were far grander than my time and energies allowed.  But that would be cute, wouldn't it?  Like a teabag?  And since it's just around the corner (yes it is, don't laugh), I'd think these would be great for Advent and the countdown to Christmas.  Or Hanukah gifts.  Or  whatever.  Hope you have fun with them.

Now, will someone please get these dang mints away from me?  Aren't they just pure butter and sugar?  Oh, wait, no, there might be some condensed or evaporated milk in there too, or cream cheese, depending on whose recipe you use.  Phew.  Calcium and protein.  Oh, goody.

Comments

[Felicia]

LOL Repeat 400 times, eh? :) They are lovely!

[Beth]

Very cute! You could call them pillow presents. Or petite pillow presents. Or pretty petite pillow presents. :) Have fun with the number you're making! :)

[beki]

Thanks for sharing, I love this idea!

[Anina]

Wonderful!

[joy]

cute!!!

[Junie Moon]

What a great project and tutorial! I appreciate your sharing it but I will probably make just a few and not go the 400 route. Wow!

[Lynne]

What a wonderful little gift idea! I just love those wee envelopes...I think that they make anything special.

[jessica]

the pillow pockets are adorable. my family is staying with us in a couple of weeks, if I have the time maybe I'll make some to place on their pillows.

[Sue]

What a lovely and thoughtful idea! You amaze me. :-)

[MommmyKnows]

Too cute! I have never even sat @ a sewing machine.

[Michelle]

The best party favors ever!

[Laura]

oooh, these would be cute as little gifts each day when the girls open up the advent calendar!

Very cute idea!

[Geraldine Jozefiak]

I so love these, they're really great. I'd like to link to your blog on my site. They're so pretty and unusual. Congrats on presenting it so well.
Geraldine

[Petronella]

Totally love the idea!