Make a stylish and functional storage case for your handmade greeting cards with this tutorial featuring step-by-step instructions and printable patterns. Choose from three case sizes, including cases sized for the cards created in the Greeting Card Tutorials. Make a special gift by combining this case with your handcrafted greeting cards.
The case can be made in either of two styles—one-pocket or two-pocket. The one-pocket version has one place to insert your cards with envelopes and a cover that folds over the top. The two-pocket version is made of two identical halves that fold over each other.
As an added bonus, check out this simple technique for making a see-through card holder.
Choose the stationery case size and style that you want to make. For the single-pocket style, download and print one case pattern and one cover pattern of the size selected. For the two-pocket style, download and print two copies of a case pattern. Each copy is one-half of the card case. It is best to print on cardstock, but if you don't have any, print on paper.
There are patterns for three sizes of card cases, with black & white, colored and circle design versions. The Standard Card Case is sized for the 4¼" by 5½" cards made in the Greeting Card Tutorials or cards made from letter-size paper folded in quarters. The A4/C6 Card Case works with cards made from A4 cardstock or paper, and the third case fits small business envelopes (#6¾—3 5/8" by 6½").
Editable text patterns: As an added bonus, there are versions of the colored patterns with editable text on the labels. Open the patterns in Adobe Reader and click on the label text to change it.
Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.
All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter-size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader, you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.
Important: Compare the size of the card case to the size of the cards and envelopes you plan to store in the case. Be sure that the inside rectangle on the pattern is bigger than the cards and/or envelopes. Just lay an envelope over the rectangle and compare. If the stationery case pattern is too small, enlarge it and print again.
If you printed on paper, it will need to be stiffened or transferred to lightweight cardboard (see how to transfer a pattern). To stiffen the paper, glue another piece of computer paper to the back of the pattern or glue it to cardstock. Be sure that the glue completely covers the pattern. Get it into the corners and along the edges.
Tip: If you printed on cardstock, you can glue wrapping paper or other decorative paper to the back of the patterns. This is an easy way to decorate your card case.
Cut out both patterns on the solid black line. If you are making the single-pocket style, cut the glue tab on the case pattern on its center black line.
Try to make the cuts very straight. The case will fit together better with straight edges. It is easier to make straight cuts with a craft knife and ruler. Careful: craft knives are very sharp and should only be used by adults.
Flip the case and cover patterns to the printed side up. Score all the dashed lines with an empty ballpoint pen or other blunt tool, placing a ruler along the dashed line as a guide.
Working from the outside, fold over on all the scored lines. Crease firmly. Make a sharp crease by running your thumbnail firmly along the fold.
Glue the two card case patterns (for the single-pocket style, the case and cover patterns) together on the middle hinge. Let the glue dry before going on to the next step.
Unfold the top and bottom flaps. Apply glue where they overlap the side flaps. Fold over and stick in place. Hold until dry. Be sure that the corners are square and even. If you place something in the corner, like a pad of sticky notes or a stack of business cards, it will be easier to form a square corner.
Be very neat with the glue, making sure that there is no glue inside of the case pocket(s).
You can decorate the outside of the case with stickers, markers, paper cuts, stencils, etc. Use your imagination!
Put cards and envelopes in the case, and fold the case in-half.
You are done! What cards will you
put inside your case?
Make this simple greeting card holder that showcases your handmade greeting cards. It's quick and easy to make this holder for one or two cards.
You are all done! Place your beautiful handmade card in the
holder for all to admire!