Tutorial - Offset Gatefold Card

Today I have a super simple card to share. Just a couple of folds, some patterned paper, a few embellishments, and you're done! It's also easy to resize and the opening can be positioned wherever you desire... even horizontally.

1. Start with a 101/2" x 51/4" piece of cardstock. Place it horizontally on your score board and score at 35/8" and 87/8", then fold and burnish each score line.

(NOTE: You can adjust your score lines to suit whatever shape and size card you have. Just keep in mind that the combined width of the panels on either end need to equal the width of the centre panel. To create the offset, the two side panels should be different widths.)

2. To decorate, you'll need one piece of white cardstock measuring 4" x 4", one piece measuring 31/2" x 51/8", and one piece measuring 11/2" x 51/8". You'll also need a piece of patterned paper measuring 37/8" x 37/8", a coordinating piece of patterned paper measuring 33/8" x 5" and one measuring 13/8" x 5".

3. Adhere all the patterned paper to the corresponding white cardstock leaving a small border around each piece.

4. Secure the rectangular pieces of patterned paper to the two front panels of the card.

5. Secure the square piece of patterned paper to one of the front panels, centring it over the card front.

6. Decorate as desired.

Products:

Tutorial - Interlocking Gatefold Cards

A basic gatefold card with a clever interlocking feature

that can be sized and shaped to suit your needs!

1. Begin with a gatefold card of any size - mine measures 51/4" x 51/4". (To make a gatefold card, place a 101/2" x 51/4" piece of cardstock horizontally on your score board and score at 25/8" and 77/8". Fold along each score line so the side edges meet in the centre).

2. Decorate the front of your card with stamps, inks or patterned paper. I've used a layer of red cardstock with a second layer of Christmas themed paper over the top for each side of the gatefold. The red cardstock pieces measure 23/8" x 5" each and the patterned paper measures 21/4" x 47/8" each.

3. Secure the patterned paper to the cardstock with glue or double-sided tape first. Now secure those layers to the front of your card, taking care to line everything up correctly. (Note that the white borders that are closest to the centre opening of the card will be half the width of the other borders. This is because the two sides come together when the card is closed creating the same total amount.)

4. Select a cutting die that cuts a frame. In my case, my die cuts a narrow, scalloped edge frame decorated with faux stitching. You can see the two different cutting lines in the photo below - the outer one is scalloped and the inner is a smooth oval. (If you don't have a die like this, simply nest two different dies together. Cut a large shape and then cut a smaller shape from the centre.)

5. Print and colour the image you wish to use on your card. Use the same die to cut around the image, reserving the frame that will cut automatically, and also cut two frames from a coordinating piece of cardstock. Reserve one of the extra cardstock ovals from the centre of the frame.

6. Use glue or tape to secure the red cardstock oval to the back of the image, which will cover any bleed-through as well as add extra support. Use glue to sandwich the three frames together, keeping the white piece at the back or between the two red pieces. This will make your frame a lot stronger and less likely to bend or tear.

7. Centre the image panel over the front of your card. Hold it in place with some low-tack tape over the right hand side. Open the card and apply adhesive to the section that is showing. Close the card again and press down on the adhesive. This should secure the image panel to the left side of your gatefold.

8. Place the frame around the image panel, lining it up perfectly. Hold it in place with some low-tack tape positioned over the left hand side. Open the card to reveal the overhanging image panel and frame. Apply glue ONLY to the section of the frame you can see. DO NOT apply any adhesive to the image panel. Close the card and press the frame down on the right side.

9. The image panel should line up perfectly with the frame forming the "interlocking" part of your card.

10. If you wish, you can add a sentiment to the frame. Just remember to keep the adhesive ONLY on the section of the frame that the sentiment will cover. DO NOT allow any adhesive to overflow onto the image panel or the cardstock or you will glue your card closed.

Stamps:

Everything Papercraft - Gatefold Cards

Gate fold cards are simple to make and are a fast way to add dimension and movement to handmade cards. Gatefolds are basically cards that have two folds with a centre opening, although there are many design options you can add to change the size and shape of the finished product. While there are no hard and fast rules for making gatefold cards, it is important to carefully and accurately measure, score and fold for a good end result. You only need a piece of cardstock, a folding tool and your imagination to create unique handmade cards suitable for any occasion.

Here are some tutorials for different gatefold cards:

Gatefold Card

Altered Gatefold

Double Gatefold

Gatefold Window Card

DiagonalGatefold

Teardrop Double Gatefold

Tutorial - Gatefold Card

I was surprised to discover that I hadn't done a tutorial for a basic gatefold card considering they are so easy to make and so popular amongst card-makers.  There are many different variations on the gatefold card, but the basic idea is to create a card that opens like a gate or door, with two side flaps and a central opening.

 

 

1.  Start with a card blank.  Mine is 9" long x 41/2" high and will create a square card measuring 41/2" x 41/2".  You can use any size you like as this card relies on proportions rather than actual measurements. 

 

2.  Now you want to fold the ends of your card into the centre so they meet like a gate.  There are a couple of ways to do this - you can either score a vertical line at 1/4 of the way across the cardstock and again at 3/4 of the way across OR you can mark the centre of your cardstock and simply fold the two ends into the middle so they meet.  Now you've formed a basic gatefold card.

3.  To decorate, I cut two pieces of cardstock measuring 41/4" x 2" and another two measuring 4" x 13/4".  I layered these together and then adhered them to the front flaps of my card.  I also added a ribbon bow and a simple punched shape with a stamped sentiment.

TIP: Don't throw out your off cuts.  If they aren't big enough to use on their own, try cutting them into squares that can be assembled to form a patchwork.  You'll have a lot less wastage and a pretty feature for your card.