Recycled fabric gift envelope

Use recycled packaging this holiday for a "greener" Christmas — but that doesn't mean it has to be frumpy, boring, plain or skimpy. Simply embellish recycled fabric scraps with shimmering holographic threads and you have the trendiest gift wrap around. Recipients will want to use this gift envelope over and over again.

Materials needed:

• Strip of fabric about 6" wide by 15" long
• Strip of wool fabric slightly larger (7" wide by 16" long)
• Kreinik holographic threads in any color (we used threads in the Make Mine 3-D: Holographic thread set by Kreinik)
• felt scrap for tree
• sewing machine or hand sewing thread and hand sewing needle
• snap or velcro for closurre
• glue or Treasure Tape (double-sided tape)

1. Lay your fabric centered on the wool strip, and sew it down using your sewing machine and the zig zag stitch (or hand sewing). Use sewing thread or use one of the Blending Filament holographic colors. if using the Filament, just stitch slowly to keep the thread from breaking.
2. Fold the strip about 4" from the bottom and about 2" from the top - or as desired. Sew snap or velcro on the short-flap end to create a closure.
3. Cut out your green felt in the shape of a tree. Embellish with the holographic threads. We took the holographic ribbon and pulled out one strand of fiber to make it look like rickrack, then couched it onto the tree using that strand of fiber. Embellish as desired. Sew, glue or tape the tree to the front of your fabric "envelope".

Have fun embellishing your envelope in your own fun style, adding bling, color and light with the fun holographic threads.

Printing Instructions:
Click here to download the instructions for this project.  You will need the FREE program Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF's of our free patterns. If you have problems downloading the pattern, send a #10 self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Recycled fabric gift envelope, PO Box 1966, Parkersburg, WV 26102.