Craft a Handmade Paper Applique Gift Card

Paper craft are all the rage: scrap-booking, embellishments, wrapping paper and gift card creating have taken the crafting community by storm. Creating specialty paper crafts provide an outlet for creativity and a simply beautiful finished product. This article tells how to create a specialty paper applique gift card that is actually sewn to create a truly unique look.

Materials Needed for the Gift Card

Applique gift cards should be made with thick paper, but not cardstock. The paper should be flexible and not crease if bent. You will also need embroidery floss, an embroidery needle, a cork or large rubber eraser, and scissors. Specialty paper-cutting scissors can be used if desired. These are popular for scrap-booking and have decorative edge effects.

Preparing the Applique Pattern

The applique for this paper gift card will be the front of the gift card. Start with a piece of paper in a rectangle or square shape. Cut the edge with pattern scissors or tear it decoratively. This simple shape will be overlaid and glued onto the existing gift card. Cut it so it will fit on the card's front easily.

In a complimentary color, cut out a simple shape that is smaller than the rectangular card. Some good shapes include hearts, circles, basic flowers, and moon shapes. You may cut one larger shape or two or three smaller shapes. Do not make too many, as your gift card design will become too cluttered. After the shapes you will use are cut out, it is time to poke the holes for sewing.

Gently press the eye end of a needle or sturdy pin into the cork or rubber eraser. This will be your punching tool. Using care to make them the same distance apart, punch holes approximately a quarter to half inch in from the edges of your paper applique shape.

Putting the Applique Paper Gift Card Together

Thread your needle with embroidery floss and carefully stitch the applique shape to the backing rectangle. You might also like to stitch around the outside of the paper rectangle to give it a decorative border.

Once the stitching is complete, it is time to past the appliqued paper piece to the front of a premade gift card. You can also make your own gift card out of cardstock paper.

Use paper adhesive or double sided sticky tape to stick the rectangle onto the cover of the gift card. Then, slip it into an envelope and send a note to a special someone.