I’ve long admired cards that have the woven looking cut out along the spine. Stampers and Card makers have been doing this technique for years and it’s called a Braided Edge Card. I wanted to have a go at this and then share my file but I really didn’t need to re-invent the wheel! If you haven’t come across them before, a quick search for “braided edge cards” will bring up plenty of examples to admire.
I wanted to create a file in a slightly different shape to the Triangular/arrow shape that’s so popular, and I came up with this circular design which worked really well with the technique.
The file has two versions – one with perforations for the fold line and another without. I preferred to score my own fold line, so the design without the perforations was the one I used for the sample. I also have a theory (unproven but possible) that projects with lots of perforations dull a blade quickly – all that jumping up and down into the card stock must cause a bit of extra wear and tear – no?
Here it is after the cut and fold . Starting at the bottom remove the bottom semi circle completely and set aside. Fold each semi circle down and tuck it behind the flap below.
Then attach the bottom semi circle at the top and tuck it behind the top flap to fill in the void created there.
I made a Christmas Card with my sample, which is pictured at the top of the post, but of course once the basic card is done, you could decorate it for any occasion.
Options
Line the inside of your card with contrasting paper or leave as is to see right through it.
Use double sided paper for contrasting patterns.
The braiding can be used on flat card too – it doesn’t have to run down the spine – it would look great in the middle or the edge of a card too.
If you’d like to explore the braided technique further – The very talented & generous Debbie from Paper Pulse is also offering some lovely variations of the Braided Design File as well as the traditional shaped triangular file here.
The Files
Here’s the File for the Braided Card File for Version 3 of Silhouette Studio
Here’s the File for the Braided Card File for Version 2 of Silhouette Studio
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you’re welcome J.
I love this. Thank you so much!
Pleased you like it Irene.
These cards fascinate me, they look so complicated! Yours looks do-able. Thanks.
I know Sue, they look so impressive but are quite simple. win win 😉
Your card is lovely. Love the technique you shared.
I just stumbled onto your website today. You are very creative and generous. Your files are a delight. I especially love this braided edge card.
So glad you found me Cindy. This card is one of my favorites too.
Love this fold but would love it as a pdf file so it can be handcut instead of using a machine Any chance you could do this please?
Can’t do anything at the moment Trudi as I’m currently travelling with only a mobile. I’ll see what I can do when I get home and have my laptop with the right software programs on them. Give me a couple of weeks 🙂
Love this idea! Quick question . . . What die cut did you use?
Hi Kathy,
The Reindeer Die is part of a set of 2 called “Small Deer” by a company called Impression Obsession.
I got it here in Australia a few years ago, but I see it’s still on their US website at $5. (iostamps.com) under Dies > Dies – Animals. You may be be familiar with it already – it looks like the smaller deer in the set is grazing. I use it every Christmas!
Hope that helps.