Christmas is one of my favourite times of year – I love the cosiness, and the handmade gestures. This year, I decided to make a few Christmas cards for my nearest and dearest.
Inspired by the branding of Mote & Produksjon (Fashion & Production), I decided to get with the trend and sew different geometric patterns onto the front of my A5 cards.
Instructions:
Start by creating your A5 folded cards (cutting down from A4 if necessary). I used dark colours (a navy, and mocha) that would contrast with my cream cotton thread.
I decided to make my pattern 5cm x 5cm, so I cut out a template square to size that I could position where I wanted the pattern to be, and marked the corners with a pencil.
Using the marks as a guide, I then made further pencil marks every 1.25cm until I had a square grid consisting of 25 dots. Using a needle, I then pierced holes over each of the dots.
I used a cream cotton thread for my patterns, and selected the designs by Mote & Produksjon that had the most festive feel – aka, the ones that most resembled stars and snowflakes!
Once each pattern was complete, I tied the ends of the thread together on the inside of the card and cut the loose ends. I then added a smaller black paper insert to each card.
I tried two different techniques for this – on some I used double-sided tape to secure the insert, whilst on a couple of the designs, I stitched the spine to bind the insert to the card.
Personally, I love a good theme – you could also make matching gift tags using the same emblems. What do you think? Are you handy with a needle and thread?
What Christmas cards have you been making?
These are clever and unique and beautiful. I haven’t been making any Christmas cards but find these inspiring, for beyond Christmas even.
So pleased you like them! Thank you. Absolutely, great for New Years and all sorts =) Really simple too.
I may just be overthinking this because it’s a bad habit of mine, but did you actually sew the patterns on? If you did, then wouldn’t there be a gap between the edges instead of a continuous snowflake? Sorry, I’m such a newbie when it comes to this but these cards are just simply to lovely to pass up!
Oh God I’m so stupid, I didn’t realize how you threaded it until I blew up the patterns picture. Sorry for my idiocy and thank you for sharing these very beautiful cards! 🙂
Heya! No, don’t worry at all. In fairness to you, there is no picture to help explain, but yes, it is all one continuous thread – up through the back, down through the front, and so on =) The black insert helps hide the messy workings at the back. Good luck!
Thank you! Hopefully I’ll get it right ahaha :b
These are so simple but beautiful! I steer away from handmade cards because it seems they are overlooked and not very appreciated, considering the time and effort spent. But for something so simple I could be convinced to try it again. Thanks for the idea!
I know exactly what you mean. I only make them for people I know will appreciate them! The worst part is when they don’t even realise they’re homemade – definitely need some large ‘Made by…’ stickers or stamps to drive the point home =) Good luck!
Sorry for the so many comments, you might be tired of me now haha but I noticed the link to Mote & Produksjon doesn’t work 😦 IDK if that’s just me because I don’t have Pinterest haha
Heya, thanks for letting me know! I just tried to go on Pinterest myself and it seems to be having problems. You can also find it on this website if you scroll down: http://www.snapstar.in/inspiration/branding-inspiration-week-007/ – hope that helps! x
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