Hi Stampers!
If memory serves, the first fun fold card I ever made was a basic gate fold card, and it was a Christmas card! I think gate fold cards are one of the quickest fun fold cards to make, and the most versatile. There are many so many variations on the gate fold. The gate fold can be created in either portrait or landscape orientation, and when it comes to closing the gate, you have lots of options. That is what we are going to talk about today, keeping the gate closed! Let’s take a look at the sample cards:
Here we have four options for keeping the gate card closed: weigh it down with a layered focal image, use a belly band, tie it up with ribbon, or use a sliding closure. We’ll take a look at each method separately in this post. Today’s cards are all portrait orientation. The measurements for the card base and layers are the same for all cards and are listed below.
VIDEO
CLOSE THE GATE!
MEASUREMENTS FOR THE BASIC GATE FOLD CARD
* Card base - red cardstock (Real Red) cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored on 8 1/2” side 2 1/8” on each end (or at 2 1/8” x 6 3/8). Fold score lines toward center of card (valley folds).
* Inside panel - white cardstock (Basic White) 5” x 3 3/4” stamp inside image and inside greeting and die cut with Deckled Rectangles dies (Stampin’ Up!®️) the cut out measures about 4 1/4” x 3”.
* Cardstock layers for focal image the actual size of these layers is based on the ssize of the focal image. My focal I age measures about 1 3/4” tall and 1 1/4” wide. - white cardstock 2 1/4” x 2”; red cardstock cut at 2 1/2” x 2 1/4”, green cardstock (Shaded Spruce) cut at 2 3/4” x 2 1/2”; red cardstock cut at 3” x 2 3/4”. Stamp the focal image on the piece of white cardstock. Layer as instructed for each individual closure.
* Patterned paper - Design of choice; cut 2 pieces at 5 1/4” x 1 7/8” and 1 at 5 1/4” x 4” (this is optional)
ASSEMBLY
* Use bone folder on scored fold lines to make the crisp. This helps to keep the two front flaps closed
* Adhere the two strips of patterned paper in place on the card front flaps.
* Adhere the patterned paper inside the card if you are using it.
* Add the die cut inside panel - center it
* Add closure of choice.
OPTION ONE - WEIGH IT DOWN
For this version we’ll keep the card closed (mostly) by centering a matted focal image over both front panels.
*Assemble Focal Piece
- Mat the stamped panel with red mat. Mat this on the green mat, then add the larger red mat.
- Place adhesive on the back of the left side of the matted focal image, making sure the adhesive does not go beyond the edge of the left flap of the card front.
- Center on card front, and press to adhere.
NOTE - the focal image can be taller and wider than the image I used, just adjust the measurements for the mats.
WEIGH IT DOWN GATE FOLD CARD
INSIDE OF CARD
OPTION TWO - USE A BELLY BAND
For this version we’ll close the card with a removable belly band. You will need a piece of red cardstock that measures about 9 1/2”x 1”.
* Assemble focal piece as instructed for previous card.
* Wrap the 9 1/2” x 1” strip around the card (short ways). The two ends will overlap. It is best to have them overlap on the front side of the card. The seam will be covered up by the focal image. When the belly band is snug, but loose enough to move up down use adhesive to glue the belly band together.
* Adhere the focal image to the belly band, keeping the adhesive on the center of the focal piece - short ways.
BELLY BAND GATE FOLD CARD
INSIDE OF CARD
OPTION THREE - TIE IT DOWN WITH RIBBON
Using ribbon to tie down the card front is similar to the belly band idea. I used 21” of red ribbon.
* Assemble the focal images as for the previous two cards.
* Wrap the ribbon around the center of the card with the ends on the right hand side.
* Adjust the ribbon so the ends are even. Place something like an acrylic block on the ribbon ends.
* Carefully slip a glue dot under the ribbon near the inner edge of the left hand flap, or use tape to hold it in place.
* Place adhesive on the back of the left hand side of the focal piece, as for the first option.
* Put the focal image in place right over the ribbon.
* Tie the ribbon in a bow on the right hand side of the card.
TIED RIBBON CLOSURE GATE FOLD CARD
There are options for this option as there are a couple of different ways to create the closure mechanism. You can adjust the size of the mechanism to best fit your focal image. The measurements I am providing will work for a matted image that measures 3” tall by 2 3/4” wide.
Sliding Closure Option A
Here is what you will need for the sliding closure:
* 4 pieces of cardstock cut at 3” x 2 3/4”. For my card I cut two pieces from red cardstock and two from white cardstock. One of the red pieces serves as the large mat for the focal piece.
* Ribbon - I used green, - about 2 1/2” long. (Optional)
Assemble
* Score each white piece of card stock at 1 3/8” along the 2 3/4” side and fold. Use bone folder to reenforce the folds.
* Put adhesive on one of the folded sides of the white cardstock pieces. Adhere it to one of the red pieces of cardstock with the fold toward the center of the piece. Repeat with the other piece of white cardstock. Bump the folded edge right up against the folded edge of the other piece of white cardstock. Get it as close as possible. The white pieces should resemble an X.
* Put adhesive on the back side of the second piece of red cardstock. Line it up even with the sides of the sliding piece, and press to adhere.
* If using the ribbon, fold in half and tape in place at the about 1/2” down at center top of one side of the closure piece. This is now the “front.”
* On the back side of the piece, hold each side and bend toward the center. Lay the piece with the front side down. It should look like a V on a table.
* Adhere the focal piece into place on the front of the mechanism.
* To close the card slip the closure mechanism between the two front flaps of the card. The mechanism will slide into place.
* If the piece of ribbon was used it will function like a pull tab for the card. If no ribbon is used just slide the piece by holding the edges of the mechanism.
Sliding Closure Option B
For this option the height can be changed but not the width. Be sure to use your bone folder on every fold. Flatten the folds as much as possible. Use cardstock the same color as the largest mat or white.
This mechanism will be smaller than the matted panel. The finished piece will be 2 1/2”square.
* Cut cardstock at 10” x 2 1/2” score along the 10” side at 2 1/2”, 3 3/4”, 5”, 7 1/2”, and 8 3/4”.
* Starting at the 2 1/2” score line valley fold, mountain fold, valley, valley, and finally a mountain fold.
* Go over all fold lines with bone folder.
* Place piece on table with the larger section to the left and the smaller section to the right.
* Place glue on the second section on right, fold down onto the larger section to the left.
* Place adhesive on the next small section, and press to the right, and adhere into place. Get it as close to the edge of the other section as possible. Keep using the bone folder to reenforce the folds.
* Apply adhesive to the last section, and fold it down over the piece.
* The piece should resemble an X.
* Adhere it centered to the back side of the focal piece.
* Slide the piece along the front of the card to close.
SLIDING CLOSURE GATE FOLD CARD
INSIDE OF CARD
GATE FOLD CARDS
Stamp Happy!
Kim
Stamped images ©️1990-2024 Stampin’ Up!®️
Seasons of Fun (retired)
Cardstock- I use Stampin’ Up! Cardstock. All colors used today, Real Red, Shaded Spruce, and Basic White, are current, and available through a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator or the Stampin’ Up web site.
Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black and Stampin’ Blends (alcohol markers) - Real Red, Shaded Spruce, Pecan Pie, and Wild Wheat. All are current.
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