Tuesday 7 June 2016

Handmade Card ~ Sew Your Own with a Few Fabric Scraps

I'm rather pleased with today's project, and it took all of a few minutes to make. I love it when I receive gifts that are personalised with a handmade card, so I thought I'd do the same. 

Personalise a gift with a handmade sewn card. All it takes is a few small fabric scraps ~ Threading My Way

It's simple, but effective. I think this is a case of less is more.

I'm sure you can see how it's made, simply by looking at the photos. 
  • Make or buy a card.
  • Cut three triangles from scrap fabric (mine measure 1" across the top)
  • Sew the fabric to the card.

Quite some time ago I bought a box of blank, ready made cards, with the intention of embellishing them in one way or another. This is the first one I've used. You could just as easily make your own card.


I happened to have a quilting needle in my machine, so that's what I used. If not, I would have swapped to a denim needle or another sharp point needle. You may need to experiment with needle types, depending on your sewing machine and the cardstock weight. If it doesn't sound right, try a different needle.

The cardstock will blunt the needle quite quickly, so change to a new needle when you next sew with fabric. You wouldn't use your fabric scissors on paper or cardstock - it's the same with the needles you use.

Apparently tension can be quite an issue when sewing on cardstock. I'm lucky that I didn't have any problems with my Bernina.

You may find the following information helpful...


The gift that goes with this card is also handmade. It's wrapped up ready to send to the recipient. I'll show you later in the week.

Quite some time ago, Ros, from Sew Delicious, included a lovely handmade sewn card, as part of the Sweet Pouch Swap. Ros' card was the inspiration for making my card with fabric scrap bunting.

If you have never sewn cardstock before, I would suggest using very thin cardstock, while finding out the limitations of your machine. As with fabric, let the machine guide the cardstock - don't push or pull it. And go slowly.

Have you ever sewn cardstock or paper? What tips do you have for anyone who is new to this craft?

... Pam

8 comments:

  1. Looks pretty Pam! I save my old blunt needles for sewing on card with. That way I have a selection of sizes and don't have to worry about ruining them!

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  2. Spooky, I shared a bunting card idea today too- great minds think alike! Yours is so pretty, I'm definitely going to give this a try. I know several people this would be perfect for .

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  3. I always think a handmade card is a lovely touch and yours is really nice Pam

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  4. Pam that's adorable. I love handmade cards and gifts. I'm just trying to think whether I've ever sewn cardstock. I think not though. I'll have to give this a try. Mimi xxx

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  5. I absolutely love this! It's simple yeyet so effective!
    Thanknyou for the idea, Pam :)

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    1. Thanks, Alex. Sometimes quick and easy is the best.

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  6. Beautiful job! I find I can make a card to suit the occasion and person faster than I can get in the car and go find one. USE LARGE STITCHES. My tip is to make sure stitches aren't too tiny to perforate the card to the point the piece will literately fall away from the card stock. You can do a quick search for the cards I have created via my sewing tutorial page.

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  7. Very pretty and effective. I've done a few cards with a sewing machine, one simple, slightly layered birdie and a couple of cats with Maria, happily I didn't have any tension problems and found they were a very good project to do with a child.

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