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DIY Sewing Christmas Cards Tutorial

December 18, 2014 by Terri Ann

I don’t usually send Christmas cards but this year was a little different.This year I wouldn’t be getting my favorite Christmas card, the reliable one from Gram. That really got me thinking about sending out cards so when I suddenly had the idea to sew fabric to the front of a card I knew I had to try. A short trip to Jo-Ann’s, a couple hours I had the absolute neatest DIY Christmas cards I’ve ever seen.

Sew Christmas Cards - Christmas Crafting

It didn’t make it in time for this Christmas but do Pin this post to your Christmas boards for next year!

Ingredients

  • 2 packs of A6 off-white cards (24 cards)
  • 4 @ 1/8 yard cuts of fabric for gift boxes
  • 1 @ 1/4 yard cut for pine trees
  • Sparkle gold washi tape for the trunk
  • 24 snowflake buttons or other embellishment for the star
  • 1yd thin rick-rack (optional)
I would suggest you use scraps or even craft paper for gifts rather than buying, even buying the minimum cut it was more than enough though now I have scraps for later

Tools

  • Pinking shears
  • Sewing machine
  • Glue
Use old needles and get rid of them immediately after completing this project. The paper will dull the needle and trust me, save yourself the heartache of starting a new project with a needle like that!
Why pinking shears? They give you a nice forgiving edge that is less likely to fray. Sharp shears are important to prevent craft related anger injuries.

Fabric Pull for Sewn Christmas Cards

I printed both a message inside my card as well as a little info on the back.  Tutorial on that another day.

Print on the Cards

Because you might have different cards than I do (and so you can customize your design) trace the card onto a piece of paper

Trace size of card on a piece of paper

Sketch out your design.  I used this so I had a way to measure approximate sizes to cut of my fabric.

Sketch approximate proportions

Time to cut out your gifts! Use the pinking shears to trim off the cut edge then cut again the width of the fabric to a long strip.

Trim cut edge with pinking shears

Sub cut strips into gift boxes, be sure to cut enough for each card you’re making!

Cut into little boxes

I ball-parked the sizes for the gift but cut out the sketched triangle to use as a pattern for the tree body

Cut out the tree triangle to make pattern

Cut out enough trees for each card, you don’t have to make them exactly the same size, remember they’re each going to a different home!

Cut out triangles of the green pine fabric

Layout all the pieces on a card and do a excited dance in your kitchen cause it looks super neat.

Test Layout

Tip: Take a photo of the layout with your camera so you can reference it later!

Sew the Tree on

Open up the card (don’t want to sew it shut) and sew the tree trunk on. Doesn’t have to be placed perfectly – just eye ball it! Be sure to lock your stitches by back stitching at the beginning and end.

Pay Attention: Be sure to sew them on the right side of the card, right side up on this step!

Tuck the trunk in the tree's seam allowance

Cut ~1″ of the washi tape and tuck it under the seam allowance at the base of the tree.

Sew on those presents

Now get to stitching on those presents. I decided to do 4 presents, multiple that by 24 and you’ll get 96 little boxes to sew!

Sewing Box #2

I’d recommend sewing all the gift boxes “chain piece” style, all the blue one on the right side, then all the green ones on the left side etc.

You’ll see I switched thread for the first two pieces. I quickly gave up on that. I’d recommend a green for the trees then switch to white and go with that for all the remaining gift boxes.

Sewing Box #3

Then all the red ones…it’s okay I regretted doing this many at this point but you’re too deep now: push through.

Box #4 is it over yet

Fourth present: I’m now too lazy to neatly pile them behind the machine. Is this over yet? Thank goodness that I don’t have more than 24 cards to send!

Use the rick-rack

I bought the rick-rack to do this. I did it on only 2 gift boxes this way cause someone was behind schedule and needed to get them in the mail! If you make your cards before December 15th you may have more time for embellishments.

Trim those threads

Trim up those threads! I this it’s super charming with the stitches in the back.

Glue on the Star

I started by stitching on the button and then promptly broke a needle and scared the jeepers out of myself. I decided I am not good at machine sewing buttons and glued them on.

Sew Christmas Cards - Christmas Crafting

Tada! I just think these are the neatest cards. I’m not one for paper crafting but I think this mixed-media Christmas card has a great handmade without looking too “homemade” which is why I had to share it with y’all. The pinking shears give it a rustic polished look and no matter how wonkey the shapes or stitches may look. No one will know where the imperfections are; they’re all going to different homes!

It didn’t make it in time for this Christmas but do Pin this post to your Christmas boards for next year!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Linking up with
Needle and Thread Thursday

Finish it up Friday

Posted In: Projects, Sewing, Tutorials Tags: cards, christmas, craft, diy, paper craft, tutorial

Comments

  1. Cassandra says

    December 18, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    These cards are charming! You have managed to make something both fresh and classic.

  2. Sandra says

    December 19, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    These are really cute! I loved reading about how your neatness, and matching thread, etc., finesse details kind of went south in the mass production lol!

  3. Colleen says

    December 19, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    Thanks for the detailed tutorial. The recipients of your cards will truly be getting something special. Sorry to hear about your Gram.

  4. Sarah Goer says

    December 21, 2014 at 2:17 am

    These are really cute. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF this week!

  5. Alyce {Blossom Heart Quilts} says

    November 10, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    Oh that’s such a cute idea!!

Terri Ann of Childlike Fascination

I’m Terri Ann, a 30-something New England born and raised, cowboy boot wearing, website making, WordPress loving, picture taking contemporary quilter with obsessive crafting disorder. I make websites by day and quilts, crafty items, patterns & blogs by night!

I’m also the founder of QuiltAlong.net and Mini Barn Quilts.

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