USPS has new regulations for 1st Class Mail envelopes with 1/4" thickness restrictions. A 6x9" envelope which is the size that patterns fit in can go for 1st Class postage, but, if it is more than 1/4" thick, it has to go for the "large envelope" rate which is $.80 for 1st oz. instead of the $.44. They have a heavy cardborad measuring devise that if your envelope does not "fall" throught the slot, it does not meet the thickness requirement.

Thanks for the update.

If your envelope is more than 3/4" thick, it is considered a package and the rate is even higher. I guess it's still cheaper than driving!

I guess maybe you can send a Fat quarter in regular first class.... but not sure of the weight.

Also rates will be going up in April. Not the first ounce at .44, but the second ounce and so on. To be fair, the USPS loses money on the standard envelopes with only 1 ounce--it costs them .45. They aren't trying to gouge us, they are just trying to break even

I agree. And it's still cheaper than UPS of FedEx if you don't need overnight. If we want to have a postal service we should be willing to follow their rules regarding packaging & rates.

My post office has always been very strict; they've gotten more so.

I think many tend to forget this.
The postal service has bills to pay too.

I know they have bills to pay, however, when I go into the PO at 3:30 PM and have to wait for 30 mins to get to the clerk, because it is a 2 station office and 1 of them went to lunch - PO closes at 4:30PM & they started at 7:30AM - I get a little upset.
Are PO people are good, it's the subs that come in that cause the problems.

I posted what I thought was an informative post regarding post office rules for mailing 1st Class mail as I know some mail FQ's or blocks. I was not complaining about the post office. It is sad that my post has prompted some negative replys & I apologize for starting the topic.