How to Make a Christmas Card Basket from Recycled Christmas Cards

Copyright © 2006-2008 Jane Lake All Rights Reserved

This recycled Christmas card project is one that many people remember from the past, but they are just not quite sure of how it was done - so here are the complete instructions to make a recycled card basket from old Christmas cards.

This project is more time consuming than I expected, although our free printable pattern will make it a little easier for you. I would suggest cutting out all the card pieces, then settling down to finish the rest of the project while watching your favourite Christmas movie.

The finished card basket is surprisingly sturdy and would look lovely on a hall table filled with scented pine cones or potpourri.

Christmas Card Basket

Supply list:

~ 14 used Christmas cards
~ white glue
~ yarn in Christmas colors
~ computer and printer with paper~
printable pattern
~ yarn needle
~ small but sharp-pointed scissors, sharp awl or similar item to poke holes through two cards glued together
~ optional: crochet hook

Recycled Card Basket

Instructions:

Print the two free printable pattern pieces and cut them out. Trace around the patterns on the back of two old Christmas cards and cut out these patterns to use as templates.

cardbasket2 (40K)

Note: If you don't have a computer printer, you could make your own paper patterns by drawing your own version - each large pencilled square equals one inch, so draw a 1" grid then copy our pattern.

Trace around your templates, then cut out 12 sides and 2 bottom pattern pieces from the front of old Christmas cards. Try to center the nicest part of the card pictures in the middle of each piece.

Glue two sides together, with the pictures facing outwards on each side; do the same for bottom pieces. Let the glue dry.

Perhaps the hardest part of this project is poking holes all around the edge of each pattern piece. These are sewing holes used to frame each piece with blanket stitch. I used a large needle to create the holes at first, but then found the sharp tip of some small steel scissors worked better for me. You could also try the tip of small awl.

blanket (5K)

Make the holes about 1/4 inch apart and about 1/4 inch from the edge.

Take your yarn and sew a blanket stitch all around each pattern piece. The illustration at right shows how to sew a blanket stitch.

When you have finished edging with blanket stitch, begin sewing all the side pieces to the bottom, then sewing all the sides together.

Your Christmas card basket is now complete. However, if you know how to crochet, you could finish off the top edge with one row of single crochet.

Leave a Comment

1-10 of 79 Comments

Judy – Ala.

Jan 30, 2010 - 22:40

I just love all crafts and would like to get the pattern for the Christmas card house.

Linda – Auburn, CA

Jan 20, 2010 - 10:31

Hello to all of you that want the Christmas Card house instructions. We are working to publish it here on the website, so please be patient!
Linda

Reply to Linda

Jane – Editor at AllFreeCrafts

Jan 30, 2010 - 23:43

I'm pleased to tell you that Linda and Sandy's instructions are now available - please see our new Recycled Christmas Card House page for the full how-to's and illustrations.

Patricia Ripley – Plymouth, Mass.

Jan 16, 2010 - 13:45

I was tickled silly and thru up my arms in glee when I saw the Christmas card boxes my aunt used to make. I will try to make them also. Thanks, Patricia

jane – Texas

Jan 09, 2010 - 20:20

I sold 6 of these at a craft sale. 3 women bought them and when they saw them they cried. They all said how their grandmothers made these years ago and they had forgotten about them. One lady said she had been trying to tell her granddaughter about these baskets. I love these. In a Better Homes and Garden Christmas book there is an oblong one with 4 pieces to the side and 2 on each end filled with greenery and ornaments. It is beautiful but I cant find a pattern and they dont give one. I will try these next year to sell. I also made one for Easte and filled with grass and eggs.

Chris – WPB, FL

Jan 09, 2010 - 17:21

Hello - Years ago my mother shared with me a template for a chair using old Christmas Cards, a project very similar to the Christmas Card Basket. When the chair was sewn together and assembled, you could lift the seat of the chair and tuck candies, such as peppermints or chocolates, into the hollow space underneath the seat. These were darling and I made numerous ones to give as gifts. Some co-workers asked me to make them for them. I have lost the template in order to cut out the pieces that make the chair. I would love it if someone could direct me to where to find this template again. Thank You!

Betty – Oregon, Ohio

Jan 08, 2010 - 11:12

Can someone explain how to sew the sections together? Do I just use regular thread that matches the yarn and a regular needle? Thanks!

Reply to Betty

Nancy – shirley, MA

Jan 08, 2010 - 15:46

I just used the same colored yarn and stitched it together using a blanket stitch again. You cannot even notice it. I would think if you used thread you might see it. Hope this helps

Rita Kobylenski – Arlington, VA

Jan 03, 2010 - 14:55

How do you sew all the pieces together after they have been blanket stitched?