How to Make Boxes Out of Cards

A vintage box made of cards.

Make boxes out of cards for a fun, easy, and unique craft that will end in a recycling project special enough for gift giving.

Whether you use modern greeting cards, handmade greeting cards, or track down vintage cards for this project, when complete, it's guaranteed to be a one of a kind craft you can treasure.

Things You'll Need

• Greeting Cards
• Paper Punch with Small Holes
• Scissors
• Newspaper
• Embroidery Thread or Yarn
• Needle

Instructions

1. 

   First gather all of your supplies. See the list in the Things You'll Need section. Remove the front of the card from the back by folding the card shut then open the opposite way several times. Cut along the fold with sharp scissors.

2. 

   Then decide what you want your box to look like. The variety of boxes out of cards is limitless. Play around with the greeting cards to get an idea of which ones will look good next to each other.

   Use contrasting colors beside each other. For example, use a card with a white background next to a card with a darker background. Place cards with complimentary images next to each. Move the cards around to see what is appealing to you.

3. 

   Next, decide what shape and size you want your box out of cards to be. Use newspaper or another scrap paper to make a rough pattern first before cutting out the greeting cards. Allow enough extra room around the edge to punch holes and still have your box come out the right size.

4. 

   After you have all of your rough pattern pieces cut out, you may want to tape them together to see how they fit. The edges butt up against each other and are top stitched together; the edges do not overlap. Make any adjustments to the rough pattern before cutting out the greeting cards to the right size.

5. 

   When you have all of the greeting cards cut to the correct size, decide if you want to use another layer of paper for the inside of box to make it sturdier. This is a good idea. An option is to use two greeting cards (one for the outside and one for the inside) for the two layers. This fun craft idea will make your box out of cards pretty inside and out.

6. 

   With the two layers together, punch the holes evenly around the edges that you'll need to stitch together. Use decorative stitching to sew the pieces together. When all of the side pieces are stitches together, sew the bottom piece in place, taking care to adjust as you go for any gaps to make it fit snug.

7. 

   If you're going to add a lid to your greeting card box, stitch around the three sides that will not get stitched down before affixing the one edge to the box. It will be easier to work with not attached to the box. When the three sides are complete, stitch the lid's fourth edge to the box. Again, make sure the lid sits straight on the box by adjusting as you go.

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun with this craft project. Let children help choose greeting cards to use.

• Save old birthday cards to make a special box to keep mementos in.

• Search for vintage greeting cards to use to make a box out of cards.