An accordian fold card is simply a card with more than one fold in it. Often each folded section is part of the overall design of the card. An accordion fold card includes pop-up cards and can add a three dimensional or moveable element.

 Accordian fold cards are generally uncomplicated and are very enjoyable to make and design. The following offers ideas for different folds, rubber stamping tips and applications as well as photos of completed projects.

 Decreasing Accordian Fold Card Template.

 This template is designed for a 4”x 6” card. Cut a piece of cardstock to 6” x 12” and score it at four inch intervals as indicated in figure 1.

Cut an angle from the top of the card to part way down the side as illustrated in figure 2.

 Fold up the card and decorate using your clear rubbers stamps and embellishments.

 Accordian Fold Tags 

Simply cut large rectangles from your cardstock to the size of the tag you want. On one side of the tag make a ¾” fold as indicated in figure 3. Make one of these for each tag you want in your card. On the last tag trim off the ¾” flap.

 Adhere the tags together by gluing the flap onto the back side of the next tag. Once every thing is glued together, cut the top two corners off your folded rectangle to create the tag as indicated in figure 4.

 Complete the card by stamping and embellishing as desired. Tags can be decorated individually or you may wish to open them up and decorate them as one large design. The completed card pictured here uses both techniques on a small scale.

The accordian fold techniques can also be used in fun crafts. The following are photos of a project consisting of an accordian fold card in a tin. It makes a great gift for someone special.

If you are doing pop up cards with your accordion folds, consider some of the following ideas. Have a birthday cake or gift pop up from the inside of the card. Design a Christmas tree that pops up from your holiday greeting. Make a rattle or baby carriage pop up off a baby card or simple create a message that pops up for extra emphasis on a Valentines card. Clear hobby rubber stamps are ideal for the pop ups as they are easy to make and apply to the cards, not to mention that it is simple to create matching designs to unify the appearance of you card making craft.