Tutorial - Bridge Fold Cards

Bridge Fold or U-Fold cards are fairly simple to make and can be decorated in lots of really fun and interesting ways. While researching, I came across cards made to look like kitchens, dressing tables and even a woodworking bench! The "U" section in the centre allows for some great 3D embellishing and this is where your creativity really gets to shine.

1. Start with a piece of card stock measuring 6" x 10".

2. Score at 11/2", 3", 7" and 81/2". The measurements I've used will give you a card measuring 6" tall x 7" long when folded.

3. Fold along the score lines beginning with a mountain fold, then a valley fold, another valley fold and ending with a mountain fold.

4. If desired, you can add some patterned paper and stamps at this point. Once you add the bottom panel it will be a lot more difficult to add embellishments to the background.

5. Cut a piece of card stock measuring 2" x 7". If desired, use a pair of scissors or a border punch to give a decorative edge. Since I'm creating a snow scene, I decided to cut a couple of snow banks.

Apply glue or double sided tape to the back of the last 11/2" of the card stock as shown in the photo below.

6. Secure the card stock to the bottom of one end of your card. Stand the card upright to make aligning the bottom easier - you want it to be flush with the bottom edge of your card.

7. Now repeat with the other end of the card stock strip to complete base of your U-Fold card. You can embellish as desired or continue on to create a card similar to mine.

8. To decorate, you'll need two strips of card stock measuring 3/4" x 7". I used a snowflake border punch to give them some added interest. You'll also need another bottom strip of card stock, the same size and shape as the first, a reel of thread, a coloured and fussy cut image, some little punched snowflakes and some very strong, fast drying glue.

9. Attach the punched card stock strip to the top of the card is the same manner as you did the bottom. Apply a strip of double sided tape at the top of the card over the punched card stock, and another strip at the bottom of the card. These will hold your thread in place.

10. Cut several lengths of thread approximately 6" long. Press them onto the strip of double sided tape at the top of the card. When they're in place, apply another strip of double sided tape over the top. Don't space the threads evenly, the design will look better if they are different distances from each other.

11. Now secure them at the bottom in the same way. I applied a piece of sticky tape across the threads to make them extra secure.

12. Now add the extra strips of card stock over the top and bottom pieces so that the threads are secured between and you can no longer see the tape.

13. Here comes the fiddly bit.... Using strong, fast drying glue, fix the little snowflakes to the twine in random places. You'll need two snowflakes in each position so that the thread is sandwiched between. I used some pointy tweezers to help place each one.

14. All that's left now is to add your image, sentiment and any extra embellishments you'd like. Have fun!

Stamps: