Love, Letters – A Celebration of Self

The Author Wants You to Know...

Name: Sue Phillips

Readers can enjoy a discount code on Sue’s creations. Read on for the code.

I used to love receiving and writing handwritten letters...

It was a way of connecting and keeping in touch, and I have to say, more personal than the odd text, Instagram dm or email that are gone in the whiff of a delete button, but it did require commitment. Who doesn’t love a tied bundle of letters, lovingly written by a close friend or relative, that can be re-read in years to come? They serve as a personal memory of days past, or an insight into one’s life for future generations researching past generations.

Though he probably would deny it, my brother, I’m sure, welcomed his regular letters to the Falklands and Baghdad whilst on duty, as I welcomed his replies and fulfilled his requests. The most unusual was a homemade fruit cake, as there was a distinct absence of fresh fruit in the American forces' mess.

Friendships have also been cultivated and nurtured through the handwritten letter - I met my friend Judy while she was on a fleeting visit to the UK and through the handwritten letter we nurtured our friendship from the Philippines, to Japan and finally back to her home in the States. We have been friends now for over 40 years, all because we both had a love of putting pen to paper and loved writing those letters, as much as receiving them.

I used to also love going into stationary shops, looking at the vast array of printed writing paper, and being spoiled for choice. Sadly these products are hard to find today as there is no real demand for them anymore.

Working at the Stitchery, I have loved being reconnected with an old typewriter ~ it reminded me of the time my grandfather, who once he lost his sight, did no more than learn to type, so that he too could maintain corresponding.

I have loved resurrecting the lost skill of pressing those keys to form the letters, not just one-fingered typing, as most of us do on our phones and iPads. When I learnt to type you had to engage all fingers, and not look at the keys either, as you typed. I did have to smile recently when one of the studio removal lads, spied the typewriter and was so amazed and in awe, commenting that he had never seen one in real life, just photos. In that one moment he aged me in an instant.

So just think, who do you know who would love to receive a handwritten note or letter? It doesn’t have to be long. You never know, you might get a reply ~ and if you do, here is an easy make, so you have somewhere to hold and store your own letters or keepsakes should one arrive.

Simple Fabric Envelope

I love to make this with an old piece of quilt that doesn’t necessarily have to be perfect. I like to embrace the textures commensurate with its age.

You'll need:

A piece of quilted fabric
Stranded embroidery thread
Sewing thread
Fastening e.g. press stud, button and loop, ribbon ties.
Envelope Template (Click here for the template!)

Method:

Cut out an envelope template from your quilt fabric. There are plenty of templates available on the internet, or use the one provided in the link.
Blanket stitch around the outside edges using 2 strands of stranded cotton, in a matching or contrast colour.
Place on a flat surface, wrong side showing, so that the corners are at the top, bottom and sides.
Fold the two sides in first and just pin to hold in place.
Bring the bottom flap up over the two sides to form the base of the envelope. Pin and then slip stitch the bottom flap where it overlaps the two side flaps.
Fold over the top flap, and securely attach chosen fastening. I used a pearl button on the top flap, sandwiching a piece of twine under the button. The twine was long enough to wrap round the envelope once, with extra to tie into a bow under the button. Alternatively, you could just get a piece of twine, or a length of ribbon or lace, and wrap around the top and bottom a couple of times and tie the two ends into a bow.