Christmas card holder tutorial

 

 

My talented friend Melissa made this Christmas card holder, I thought I'd share it with you in time for the festive season!

 

 

 

Christmas Card Holder by Melissa Nayler

 

An easy to make project using an alternative “flying geese” method, which can be made to your own size requirement, this version holds a minimum of 25 cards (I often double up by placing smaller cards in front of larger ones).  The whole project can be sized down to hold photos.  You don’t need to be a quilter to make this, so have a go, it’s quick, easy and you can embellish any way you wish.  The best thing about this holder is the cards don’t fall out!

 

Requirements - For the main panel, I used a pack of 6 fat quarters, with material left over, however if you’re purchasing fabric:

 

½yd for pockets (there will be enough left over for either the border or binding)

½yd for background (there will be enough left over for either the border or binding)

If you prefer a contrast border and binding ¼yd fabric for each

½yd fabric for backing

Wadding to fit finished panel

Thread, buttons and embellishments, rod for hanging

Cut:

 

For “geese” pockets cut 15 6½” x 3½” rectangles

For remaining pockets cut 10 3½” squares

For background cut 40 x 3½” squares

 

Use ¼” seam allowance throughout, press seams open to avoid bulk.

 

1.       To make the pockets, fold each pocket square in half diagonally and press (take care not to stretch the fabric on the diagonal).  Place pocket on 3½” background square matching corners.  Baste or pin along raw edges to secure.  Repeat for 10 pockets in total, ensure each pair of pockets have triangles facing each.

 

 

 

 2. Press along fold.  Sandwich the folded square between two background squares, rights sides together, with folded edge To make the “geese” pockets, fold each rectangle in half to make a square, right sides outside and lightly ¼” below top edge.  Pin and sew together along one side edge.

3. Press seam open before opening out the “geese” and lightly press, baste base of “geese” to background.

 4. Row 1 – Sew one pocket section to either side of the “geese” section, ensuring pocket triangles are facing, press seams open.

 5. Row 2 - Sew two “geese” sections together, press seams open.

 6.

Sew row 1 to row 2, matching seams, press seams open.

Repeat the above to produce 5 two row sections.

Sew each section together to form a long, narrow panel.

 

7.

    Borders - Cut 2 strips of border fabric 2½” wide by width of panel and add these to top and bottom of panel.  Measure length of panel and cut two strips of border fabric 2½” wide by length of panel (these can be joined if necessary) and add these to both sides.

 

 8.  Cut wadding and backing fabric slightly larger than panel, layer top, wadding and backing fabric and baste together (or stick with fabric spray glue).  Attach buttons at each pocket intersection, ensuring you sew through all 3 layers of panel, I knotted thread at front to make a feature.

 

9. Binding – Cut binding fabric 2” wide and long enough to go around the outside of panel, this does not have to be on the bias as there are no curves involved (you’ll need to join several lengths together).  Fold in half wrong sides together and attach to right side of panel, matching raw edges.    I started under the hanging  loop to hide the join.  At each corner sew to within ¼” of corner, stop and backstitch.  Remove project from machine and fold binding up at 90°.

 

 





  10.    Turn binding back on itself, aligning fold with edge of project, beginning ¼” from edge, continue to sew on binding. Repeat for each corner.

 

 

11. Where the two ends of binding meet, fold one end in to neaten, tuck the un-neatened edge inside the neatened binding and complete the stitching .

 

 

 12. Pop in your cards!