Upcycle Security Envelopes -- Make a Junk Mail Quilt

Use the junk mail you'd usually throw out to create a mini quilt background. These are made from the insides of security envelopes -- each one is different and there are a surprising number of patterns to choose from.

It's fast and easy and to make a complex quilt pattern from unwanted junk mail - -just grab a punch or scissors and a glue stick and get started.

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Junk Mail Security Envelopes for Junk Journaling!

It's amazing how many of these I get in a single week - and I noticed they all have slightly different patterns. I'm using these as the "fabric: of this simple quilt. Because I can't resist researching everything, I looked up some info on these interesting mail pieces we usually just throw out: Want to skip the history lesson? Click here!

History of Security Envelopes

By the late 1800s, businesses were using mail to send all kinds of things that could (and often were) intercepted by the wrong parties. According to the National Postal Museum, it was pretty easy for the early mail thieves to pick out checks, payments, and important documents. Paper was very thin (to keep mailing affordable and printed pieces and ink were bold. This combination made it easy to see at a glance what was in a speciiefic envelope.

Early interventions solved the security problem but added considerable weight and cost. Enclosing the envelope in a second envelope, wrapping the contents in additional paper, sealing with wax to prevent tampering all helped but at additional time, cost and material use.

Security Envelope Patterns

Security envelopes solved the problem - -by printing on both sides of the paper, an obscuring pattern (referred to as a security film) could be added to the envelope without weight. It increased security by making it difficult to tell what was inside. No additional weights or materials were needed.

Believe it or not, I'm not the only person fascinated by odd history bits like this - there is an entire site dedicated to documenting the many security patterns used in modern envelopes.

Find the SECRET archive here -- along with printable patterns of many different security films. If you are in the odd place of not getting enough junk mail, check this vast archive for options!

Make a Junk Mail Quilt -- Upcycle Security Envelopes

Gather a few security envelopes with different patterns. Punch a handful of stamp shapes from each. I like using the punch for speed and accuacy -- and the perforated edges give the paper quilt a nice finished look. This is the punch I used, but any stamp style one will do.

I punched about 20 from each of 3 envelopes. I ended up cutting the tops off of them so I could keep the clear envelope part for a different project -- may as well make the most of the junk mail!

It took about 3 minutes to punch a bunch of quilt "squares"

Arrange the Pieces

I

did a simple grid pattern and then glued them into place.

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I layered my finished quilt with a cutout from an old book -- the Alice etching seemed like the perfect finishing touch. You can use as is or layer with other items. This could easily fill a whole page, just keep punching and arranging until you get a look you like.