Tutorial for Fabric Envelopes for the Envelope System Wallet

I have received so many questions involving a pattern for the Envelope System Wallet, especially concerning the fabric envelopes.  I thought for a long while that I would make a pdf pattern and sell it in my Etsy Shop.  But as time went on, I realized that the main point of the Envelope Budgeting System was saving money.  So here is my 100% free fabric envelope tutorial!

Step 1: Cut out 2 rectangles of fabric that measure 7 3/4 inches by 8 inches.

 Step 2: Fold one of the rectangles in half length-wise (it should measure 3 7/8 inches by 8 inches). Pin the sides. If you are using two different fabrics, this will be your outer fabric.

 Step 3:  Sew a half inch seam along each side (top remains open).

 Step 4: Trim the edges to 1/4 inch and cut off the corners.  This will reduce bulk and make your envelope look much more professional and neat.

 Step 5:  Repeat steps 2 through 4 EXCEPT on one side seam, leave about 2 to 1 1/2 inches open at the folded edge.  It is difficult to see in the picture below, but my fingers are marking my open area.  This fabric will be your lining if you are using two different fabrics.

 Step 6:  Turn the out fabric right side out. Push out the corners and iron well.  Place the outer fabric inside the lining so that right sides are facing each other.

 Step 7: Line up the side seams and pin.  Match up the raw edges along the top and pin also.

 Step 8: Sew a 1/2 inch seam all around the top edge.  Be sure to back stitch where you start and stop sewing.

 Step 9: Trim top edge to 1/4 inch from seam.

 Step 10: Reach through the opening in the lining and pull the envelope all the way through.

 Step 11:  Fold the raw edges of your opening inward and pin.

 Step 12:  You can opt to do two things here.  The most professionally thing to do is to slip stitch the opening closed.  If small stitches are used, someone could almost never find your opening.  If you are making this for your self, you can simply use your machine to stitch very close to the edge of the fabric.

 Step 13: Push the lining into the outer fabric and iron.

 Many people has asked how well the money fits into the envelope.  Well, here it is.  There is a good 1/2 inch on either side of the money and almost an inch at the top.  I have never had a problem with my money slipping out so I do not put a closure on my envelopes unless a customer requests one.  You can always add a small square of velcro to the top if you choose.

My hope is that this tutorial is easy to understand and useful to a great many! May you always have money in your envelope!

A Little Spring

Felt Fortune Cookies for Valentine's Day!

I wanted to show you a little project my daughter and I made for Valentines's Day.  We got the idea from Martha Stewart's Website (found the idea on Pintrest).   We made 30 felt fortune cookies and handed them out at school.  My daughter looked around on the web and found a few catchy sayings to place in each one.  They were a big hit and really easy!!

Fortune Cookies

A new Envelope System Wallet!

Finally!  Spring is so busy around that catching a few minutes to sew is a difficult chase!  But here we are!  I have so many ideas swirling in my head, it is nice to see something through to completion!

I can't wait for another money saving diva to purchase this!  Who says that saving money can't look cute??

Please see my Etsy shop for more information!

Boiled Cabbage - A critique

Loving Mother who insists that something green be served with every meal: "Well.  What did you think of the boiled cabbage tonight?"

9 year old boy who puts up with his mom's neurotic notions: "It was good.  Ya know, just kinda tasteless...like water."

Who knows what happens to our tastebuds as we get older.  All of the sudden, collards and field peas begin to sound like a delicious combination.  On the other side of the coin, I tried some Chef Boyardee the other day and almost had to spit it out!  Yuck!  And to think I grew up on that stuff!

Somethings things don't change though.  I found this recipe on Bakerella today.  My mouth began to water and I am quickly scanning through the ingredients to see what was used.  My son walked up and with an awed looked on his face asked, "Can you cook that for supper tomorrow night?"

http://www.bakerella.com/just-a-cake/

Sweet Little Kindle Case AND A New Wallet

Ahhhh, now that Christmas is over, life is slowly returning back to the routine I so dearly love!  Over the holidays I had a chance to skip out of shopping for others and take a look at some FABRIC!  Am I the only one who gets excited about that?? 

I found some adoreable yellow, green, and grey fabric.  I was very spring-like but that didn't stop me from making several people a cosmetic bag for Christmas.  See post below.

My daughter received a kindle for Christmas and since I was almost out of the fabric I added a little burlap (and we all know how I feel about burlap).

I liked it so much, another Envelope System Wallet was born a couple of days later.  Cute, huh??

If you are interested in purchasing the wallet, visit my Etsy Shop for more information!

Not to Brag or Anything

but I've been featured!

A big thank you to LunarAle!

School Morning Breakfast

School morning breakfasts really need a makeover by this time in the year.  To keep the meal hearty and healthy, I usually don't mind whipping up a batch of muffins or pancakes on Sunday afternoon that we can slide in around the cereal mornings.  But during the holiday season, pre-cooked breakfasts even become difficult to come by.  One FAST pre-cook breakfast is WILDBERRY WAFFLES.  I purchase 2 packets of muffin mix (one strawberry and one blueberry), combine them in a bowl, add 1 and 1/2 cups milk or water (whichever the packet calls for), and mix.  I then pour about a cup and a half onto my waffle iron to cook.  It makes delicious waffles without needing eggs,oil and other homemade ingredients.  I put them in the refridgerator and give a quick toast in the toaster in the mornings.  YUM!  My kids love these things!  Thanks for letting me share!

Wildberry Waffles

2 packets of muffin mix

1 1/2 Cups milk

Mix and pour approx. 1 1/2 cups batter onto waffle iron. 

Weekend-Away Travel Bag Pattern Review

Last summer, my sweet sister-in-law bought me a copy of "Weekend Sewing", by Heather Ross.  I drooled and daydreamed over the projects, but have never found the time for a new project.  Now that Christmas is getting closer, I decided to sew the Weekend Away Travel Bag and fill it with goodies from Bath & Body as a gift.   Yes, yes, I know that it doesn't look very Christmasy, but I couldn't resist these fabrics that I found on sale at JoAnn's.  It turned out pretty cute and my daughter and I found turquoise lotion and soap to match. 

 For the most part, this bag went together quite well.  One correction that needs to be mentioned is the measurements for the optional inner pockets.  The instructions call for a 12" x 9.25" panel to be cut out, but this will result in very small pockets.  I cut out a 12" x 12" panel and it worked great.

 One change that I also made was to use heavyweight fusible interfacing on the outer pieces.  I wanted to make sure that the bag was sturdy, since I was not using home decor fabric as was recomended in the book.

Sewing around the corners when the bag body is added to the zipper was a little frustrating.  Patience will pay off as you near this last step.  I also found that the corners were easier if I first sewed all the straight edges first, then went back and completed the corners.  Just be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam.

While the projects listed in the book are very inspiring. The book is quite known for its errors. Instructional errors as well as fitting errors can be found in almost every pattern. For a list of corrections, please see this blog. With this in mind alone, a beginner seamstress should beware.

New Envelope System Wallet !

I love this fabric by Alexander Henry! Please do not hesitate to ask questions concerning the Envelope System Budgeting Method!

 To purchase, please visit my Etsy Shop!