Creative Ways To Craft A Book From Wedding Cards

Wedding cards are a special memento from your big day, and there are several ways to preserve them. One option is to transform them into a book, either by crafting it yourself or by using a service. DIY methods include using a binder, needle and thread, or scanning the cards to create a PDF. Alternatively, companies like Artkive offer a service where they will photograph and edit your cards, creating a professional-looking book.

Sewing cards together

Sewing your wedding cards together is a great way to create a lasting keepsake of your special day. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with this project:

Step 1: Organise Your Cards

The first step is to decide how you want to organise your cards. You can arrange them alphabetically or by family, or you can simply shuffle them for a random order.

Step 2: Create a Template

Create a template on a piece of scrap cardstock. Start by measuring the width of your smallest card. Draw a template that is about 1" wider than your card. Mark the centre of the card and draw two sets of lines 1/4" from either end. Number these lines 1-4, as these will be your guide for punching holes in the cards.

Step 3: Punch Holes in the Cards

Using your template, punch four holes into the fold of each card. You can use an awl or a very pointy object to make the holes. Make sure the holes are big enough for your needle to fit through. For flat or vertically folding cards, you only need to punch three holes.

Step 4: Trim the Cards

Some cards may have extra layers of paper that need to be trimmed. Use a ruler and a sharp blade to carefully trim any excess paper that might get in the way when the card is opened or sewn. Be careful not to cut the fold of the card, as this will weaken it.

Step 5: Cut the Canvas

Measure the thickness of your stack of cards and add at least 2" to each end. This will be the width of your canvas. For the height, measure the height of your shortest card and add at least an additional 1/4". Using your template, draw lines on the canvas to help you line up the cards when sewing.

Step 6: Sew the Cards Together

This is the most time-consuming part of the process, so grab your favourite TV show and get comfortable! Cut a length of thread, about 2 yards long, and thread your needle. Tie the ends together with a knot, and then pull the needle to the opposite end of the knot. Start sewing your cards together, following the holes you punched. Line up your cards tightly and use large clips to hold them in place. Be patient and take your time, especially with the first few cards.

Step 7: Sew on the End Leafs

Cut two pieces of cardstock to size for the end leafs. These are the blank pieces of paper at the front and back of the book. Fold and crease the paper, and then use your template and awl to punch holes in one of the folds. Sew the end leafs onto both ends of the stack of cards, making sure they are even and lined up correctly.

Now you have your wedding cards sewn together! You can add a cover and decorate your book as you like. Enjoy your handmade keepsake!

Using a binder

First, you will need to gather your supplies. You can use a binder you already have or purchase one specifically for this project. If you want to customise your binder, you can buy some decorative paper, ribbon, and other embellishments. You will also need a hole punch, glue, and scissors.

Next, you will need to prepare your binder. If you are covering an existing binder, cut your decorative paper so that it is slightly larger than the binder on all sides. You can then glue the paper to the binder, wrapping the edges around to the inside. If you are making your own binder from scratch, cut three pieces of cardboard to form the front, back, and spine. Cover these with your chosen fabric or paper, gluing it down and folding the corners neatly.

Once your binder is ready, you can start adding your wedding cards. If your cards are thin, you can hole-punch them and add them directly to the binder. If your cards are thicker, you may need to use a different method to attach them, such as book-binding rings or glue.

Finally, you can add any finishing touches to your binder, such as a ribbon tie or a decorative cover. You could also print a design onto cardstock and glue it to the front of your binder.

Your wedding card binder is now ready to be displayed and enjoyed!

Scanning cards

Scanning your wedding cards is a great way to preserve your special memories and well-wishes without the clutter. Here is a step-by-step guide to scanning your wedding cards:

Step 1: Gather your cards

Collect all your wedding cards in one place and decide which ones you want to keep. Choose the cards that hold the most sentimental value or have meaningful messages. If there are any cards you don't want to keep, set them aside.

Step 2: Prepare for scanning

Get your scanner ready by connecting it to your computer and ensuring it is properly set up. You may also want to test the scanner by scanning a single card to ensure it is working correctly. Once you are satisfied with the scanner's performance, you are ready to begin scanning your cards.

Step 3: Start scanning

Place the first card on the scanner bed, ensuring it is straight and aligned properly. Scan both the front and back of the card to capture the complete message and any decorations. Repeat this process for each card, taking breaks as needed to avoid strain. Scanning can be time-consuming, so consider doing it in batches if you have a large number of cards.

Step 4: Save your scans

As you scan each card, save the images in a designated folder on your computer. Organise the images by creating subfolders for different types of cards, such as "Wedding Cards" or "Well-Wishes". You may also want to name the files descriptively, making it easier to identify each card and its contents.

Step 5: Edit and enhance (Optional)

If desired, you can use photo editing software to enhance the scanned images. This could include adjusting the brightness and contrast, cropping the images, or even adding decorative elements. This step is entirely optional but can be helpful if you want to improve the overall appearance of your scans.

By following these steps, you will have successfully scanned your wedding cards, preserving the memories and well-wishes they contain. You can now choose to print your scans, create a digital photo book, or simply store them on your computer for safe keeping.

Arranging cards by size

Arranging the cards by size is an optional step in the process of making a book from wedding cards. While some people prefer to organize the cards randomly, others may opt to arrange them by size, from smallest to biggest. This step allows for a consistent and uniform look throughout the book.

When arranging the cards by size, it is important to consider the variety of card sizes you have. Sort the cards into piles based on their dimensions. You can use a ruler to measure the length and width of each card to ensure accurate grouping. If you have a large number of cards, you may want to create subcategories within each size group to further organize them. For example, you can divide the small cards into "small-sized" and "medium-sized" piles.

After sorting the cards into size categories, you can begin arranging them in a way that creates a cohesive look for your book. Start with the smallest cards and work your way up to the largest. Place the cards in a stack, with the smallest cards at the front and the largest at the back. This way, when you bind the book, the cards will be in ascending order, creating a smooth transition from small to large.

If you have cards of significantly varying sizes, you may want to consider creating sections within your book. For instance, you can dedicate the first section to small cards, the second section to medium-sized cards, and the third section to large cards. This approach will give your book a sense of organization and make it easier for readers to navigate through the different card sizes.

Additionally, when arranging the cards by size, consider the overall thickness of the book. If you have many large cards, the book may become bulky. In such cases, you can create multiple volumes to ensure the books remain manageable and easy to handle. By dividing the cards into multiple volumes based on their sizes, you can maintain a consistent and elegant look while also ensuring the books are comfortable to hold and browse through.

Adding decorations

Cover decorations:

• Choose decorative papers in colours and patterns that match your wedding theme or your personal style. You can use two different sheets of paper, one for the cover and one for the lining. Measure and cut the paper to fit the cover, allowing for a small overlap on all sides.
• Use scrapbook paper, stickers, or other embellishments to decorate the cover. You could also use leftover decorations from your wedding, such as bride and groom cupcake toppers.
• Add a decorative ribbon to the spine of the book to hide any seams or joins between the cover and spine.
• If you want to include your wedding details, you can add your wedding invitation, save-the-date card, menu, or other details inside the book.

Page decorations:

• When sewing your cards together, consider using coloured thread that complements your wedding colours or the cover decorations.
• If you have any small cards or tags that cannot be sewn into the book, create an envelope or sleeve attached to the back cover for these items to slip into.
• Add end leaves: Cut cardstock paper to size and score and fold to create a neat finish. Sew the end leaves into the book using matching or contrasting thread.
• If your cards are not all the same height, cover the spine in cardstock that matches the end leaves to create a cohesive look.

Feel free to experiment and add your own creative touches to these suggestions. The key is to have fun and make your book a beautiful keepsake of your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions