materials (for 8 envelopes)

2 yards each of some nice silk fabric in contrasting colors. We used red and cream for our envelopes. Choose one for the outside and one for the lining.

1 spool of thread matching the exterior color

2 yards of fringe. We bought some beaded fringe that hung with black and red beads.

8 buttons or large beads. These are used to make the "button" on the envelope. Although ours are not made to fasten, it does add a nice finishing touch.

1 piece of heavy cardboard for template

one

Cut out your cardboard templates according to illustration (1). Place your fabrics on a flat surface, good sides together. Cut out 8 shapes from each template (A and B). You should have 8 pentagons and 8 rectangles of the two layered fabrics. (16 total pieces)

Still with the good sides together, and the lining material on top, stitch where indicated in illustration (2) for the 8 pentagons and 8 rectangles. Leave a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Turn each of the pieces inside out and press gently with a warm (not hot and no steam) iron. Take piece B and place it on top of piece A, with the unsewn 8 inch sides aligned at the bottom, and the lining colors on the outside of both pieces. Now stitch up each side only, as shown in illustration (3). (1/4 inch seam allowance) Do not stitch up the bottom.

Your envelope is beginning to take shape. Place it back on your work surface, still with the lining side out. Cut a 7 1/2 inch length of the fringe and place inside the envelope, the beads should be in the envelope, and the connecting tape right at the open 8 inch edge. Stitch along that bottom edge as in illustration (4), to close your envelope and attach the fringe.

Now turn the envelope inside out. You should have a nice, lined, decorative envelop, with fringe at the bottom. All that's left is to sew on a decorative button, or bead where a clasp might be as in illustration (5). This is completely up to you as this bead really serves no function. It's just a nice decorative element.