How to Make Strip Folding Greeting Cards

Read through the tutorial before starting.

Step 1: Select Image

This card is built around a 3½" frame with its corners built out, and uses layered strip folding to form a 2" square-on-point inner frame.

Select an image that will fit into a 2" square-on-point. Cut a 2" square from cardstock to use as a guide, or draw a 2" square on clear plastic.

Tip: Cut images from old greeting cards or stamp an image. The image used here is clip-art downloaded from Microsoft's images.

Step 2: Choose Strip Colors and Cut

Select colors for the paper strips that coordinate with your selected image. For the bunny, yellow strips are used for the outer frame, and pink strips for the corner layers. The card's mat is blue, and the strips for the inner frame are blue to match it.

For the outer frame, cut strips that are ¾" wide, with enough length to later cut four 3½" strips. For the corners, cut strips that are ¾" to 1½" wide. For the inner frame, ½" wide strips are needed.

Fold the strips in half lengthwise and glue. Tip: You can fold and glue all the strips now or as you need them.

Step 3: Make Outer Frame

Cut four 3½" folded strips for the frame. Arrange the strips into a square, and glue them together at the corners. Be sure to turn the folded edges of the strips toward the center of the frame.

Note which side of the frame looks the best. The corner layers are glued to the back of the frame.

On the back of the frame, mark the midpoint on the inside of each frame with a pencil or pen. These marks indicate the position of the last layer for each corner.

Tip: Download and print one of the frame templates in the sidebar to use as a guide.

Step 4: Fill Frame Corners

Fill each of the frame's corners with layers of folded strips. Lay a short strip, with the folded edge toward the center, across the corner and glue in place. Lay another strip across the corner, overlapping the first strip just a little, and glue in place. Add more strips, if needed, to fill the corner. The last strip should meet the midpoint marked on two sides.

Tip: Don't worry if the strips extend beyond the outside edge of the frame. You will trim them in a later step.

Step 5: Inner Frame (optional)

Create an inner frame of paper strips that match the card's mat. To do this, lay a narrow strip over the last strip on each corner. Adjust the strips so that only a tiny bit shows on the front.

Step 6: Frame Image

Flip the frame over and position it over the image. Glue in place.

Trim any paper that extends beyond the outer edge of the frame.

Step 7: Assemble Card

Glue the frame with image to the card's mat. Add an accent strip across the mat near the bottom. Glue the mat to the card.

That's it! Now anytime you have a special—but small—image, you'll know how to build it up to make a terrific card!