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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.
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.
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.
Thank you for this information concerning recycled Xmas cards - it can be done with any themed cards but I would love to know the name of the craft if it has one - it is very difficult to search for information about this lovely old craft and in this age of recycling it is a useful one to bring back into use. I would be grateful if you could provide any information you have - it is wonderful to see a site keeping some of the older crafts alive!!!
My daughter and I made these baskets for grandparents and teachers. Instead of sewing the pieces together, we just laced each side with ribbon and tied bows at each seam. Was a lot easier, we think. Great idea!
I love this little basket I have to hunt for cards to make more for friends and Grandchildren filled with special goodies for christmas. I also think they would make great Easter basket treat holders. Thanks for being creative.
This is a wounderful idea. Not only for old christmas cards, you can use photoes of your children and bring them to work. Also for a center peice for a special ocations, you can use easter cards to make a basket. Maby make a basket for plants, because everything you use is biodegradable. You can make a past that works great for the younger children.
Thank you again for the idea.
Thank you so much - I have been collecting these baskets and would love to make my own.. now I can!!
I have looked for this pattern a long time. We made these baskets in GA's at church when I was a young girl. We filled them with fruit and took them to the nursing homes. It brings back good memories.
Thanks a bunch. I have been looking for a long time for this pattern. My great Tante Amelie used to make these years ago, and I always loved them. I cant't wait to try to make one.
Thanks again
Sue
I love this little basket! Do you have the pattern for larger star shape doorstop that you could set on any side ? it was made from cards cut in a diamond shape and put together with staples ?
I have been trying to find a pattern to make a basket from used
Christmas cards fo a long time. Thank you so much for your contribution.
The easiest way to punch the holes is on a sewing machine, using a #16 needle and the basting stitch as the spacing. Use the edge of your presser foot to get the uniform distance from the edge and remember to clean the machine often!
