Fabric origami business card holder | How About Orange

August 25, 2012

Fabric origami business card holder

I thought it would be fun to try making the origami card case in the last post using fabric. I starched a piece of quilt-weight fabric and folded it into a case, then added some decorative stitching. For how to make your own, read on!

To make fabric stiff and crisp like paper, I used Stiffen Stuff purchased at Michael's.

After saturating fabric with the liquid, microwave it for 30 - 45 seconds to dry and stiffen it. If it's a bit wrinkled in the microwave, no problem. Just iron it flat, and you end up with a crisp sheet of fabric that stands up by itself. (Also see this post about using Stiffen Stuff.)

To fold the business card case or gift card holder, follow the steps here. Use an iron to press each crease into the fabric. When the fabric cools, the folds will be fixed in place.

Leave the finished case as is, or add some decorative top-stitching. To do that, unfold the case to the octagon stage and stitch along the diagonal corners on the right side of the fabric.

Stiffened fabric will now behave more like paper, so I found it's better to pull the loose threads to the back side and tie them off, rather than backstitching which makes extra puncture holes.

Flip the octagon over and fold the left and right flaps inward, exposing the square that forms the front and back outer panels of the case. Stitch around both panels. If it's hard to see where the folds are, lightly stick on some masking tape to make a guide for sewing.

Remove the tape and fold the case back up, giving it a final press with the iron again if needed.

The finished case has some exposed raw edges of fabric, but the starch glues the woven threads together and keeps them from fraying.

25 comments:

Grandma G said...

Runnin' kinda late, aren'tcha? With the post, I mean. Early for a Saturday morning! ;)

Cute fabric! And card holder.

Mum

Jessica Jones said...

Yep, didn't have time to finish this post yesterday!

Rachel John said...

I agree, love the fabric.

thezenofmaking said...

Starching the fabric is such a good idea! (So obvious, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have occurred to me until much later.) Wonder if it would work well with oilcloth too..

Anonymous said...

Really nice! Loved it with the origami paper, love it more with fabric! Great job!! :)

Dani said...

This is awesome! I am going to make a couple for gift cards tomorrow

Robin K. said...

Love, love, love the fabric. Who makes it?

Jessica Jones said...

Robin, it's by Windham Fabrics from the McCall's collection.

Suzanne said...

just another one of your awesome posts! I never heard of the stiff stuff product but it looks really cool.

annie dee said...

Cool idea! Thanks

Anonymous said...

Lovely! About to pin to my DIY & Crafts board.

Unknown said...

I love it that your mom knows exactly when you post! So cute! My mom barely knows I have a blog :D

Love this card holder.

Grandma G said...

I stalk her, Amy! ;)

Jessica Jones said...

That is no exaggeration.

Grandma G said...

Hey, I have to keep up with the Joneses somehow!!

ann said...

how freakin' fun is that. I now need to find that Stiffen Stuff...stuff.

Lanny said...

I love this I just may have to do it :) thanks for sharing ...

Anonymous said...

Both these versions are really cute. I like this fabric idea cause it's more durable. I think. :)

Marie-Hélène à Madrid said...

Nice idea !!!!!!!!!! Kiss from Spain

Jessica @shimmerkai said...

Love this...practical and cute

K said...

I LOVE this project! The fabric is fantastic, I will be on the hunt to find some asap.

Stephanie @ henry happened said...

this is the cutest thing! that fabric is nuts, I love it!

Unknown said...

juro que lo haré!
<3

jelly andrews said...

Amazing! I love it. I will surely try making that one on weekends.

Teresa said...

can you give me measurements for checkbook cover?
\