Welcome back to the craft room and today’s Double Z Fold Card project. Sometimes you find a fun fold that’s impressive enough to wow the recipient, yet simple enough that you actually want to make it more than once. That’s exactly how I feel about today’s Double Z Fold Card.
Not only does it offer plenty of space for patterned paper, but it also stands beautifully for display and works for any occasion. In today’s tutorial, I’ll show you how to create the fold and share a few decorating ideas so you can easily make it your own.
Building the Double Z Fold Card Base
To create the card base, start with an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of gray Recollections cardstock from the Coffee and Cream 110lb paper pack. Cut the cardstock in half at 4 1/4″.
Next, take the remaining cardstock and trim it to the height you’d like your Double Z Fold Card to be. For today’s project, I cut mine to 3″ tall and then trimmed it down to 9 3/4″ wide.
Once the cardstock is cut, bring in your scoring board. Both pieces will be scored at the same locations: 2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″.
To finish the card base, fold each piece in half at the 5 1/2″ score line. Then fold the 2 3/4″ section back over onto itself, as shown in the photo below.
At this point, both cardstock pieces will have the characteristic “Z” shape that gives the Double Z Fold Card its name.
Preparing the Card Mats
Rather than cutting into a full sheet of black Recollections cardstock, I headed straight for my scrap bin. This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover cardstock while adding a little contrast to a card design.
For the card base, you’ll need:
- 1 piece cut to 5 1/4″ x 4″
- 2 pieces cut to 2 1/2″ x 4″
For the Double Z portion of the card, cut:
- 1 piece cut to 4″ x 2 3/4″
- 2 pieces cut to 2 1/2″ x 2 3/4″
Choosing and Cutting the Pattern Paper
For today’s card, I’m using a sheet of double-sided patterned paper from the Silver Leaf paper pad by Die Cuts with a View. I really enjoy using this paper on card projects because it’s a little thicker and holds up beautifully. Plus, the gray and silver color combination is simply gorgeous.
Before making your first cut, take a moment to check whether your paper has a directional pattern. If it does, you’ll want to cut accordingly.
Start by cutting a strip that measures 3 3/4″ wide. Then make the following cuts for the card base:
- 1 piece cut to 5″ x 3 3/4″
- 2 pieces cut to 2 1/4″ x 3 3/4″
For the Double Z portion, cut a strip measuring 2 1/2″ wide and then trim it into:
- 1 piece cut to 3 3/4″ x 2 1/2″
- 2 pieces cut to 2 1/4″ x 2 1/2″
Now that all of the mats and patterned paper pieces are cut, it’s time to decide which side of the paper will be featured where. I chose the darker pattern for the background layer and the lighter floral side for the top layer.
Once I made that decision, I adhered the patterned paper to the black mats using Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue.
Adding a Simple Sentiment
Before assembling the card, I wanted to stamp my sentiment directly onto the 4″ x 2 3/4″ panel. For this project, I pulled out the older Layered Butterfly stamp set from Hampton Art.
To ensure proper placement, I used my My Sweet Petunia Mini MISTI and stamped the sentiment, “Be your own kind of Beautiful.” As always, I reached for Amalgam Ink from Gina K Designs because it consistently gives me a crisp impression.
Putting the Double Z Fold Card Together
Now it’s time to assemble the Double Z Fold Card. However, before adding any adhesive, it helps to understand how the pieces fit together.
For the card base, the larger 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ panel serves as the back of the card and opens to the left, as shown below.
For the Double Z portion, the larger 4 1/4″ x 3″ panel should be positioned on top and open to the right.
Once everything is oriented correctly, you can adhere the matted patterned paper panels to both cardstock bases.
To attach the front panel to the card base, I added 1/4″ Scor-Tape to the small end panel on the right. Before placing adhesive on the left side, I wanted to determine exactly how much of the panel would actually attach to the card base.
To do that, I turned the panel upside down and lined it up approximately where it would be placed. Then I made a few pencil marks to indicate the attachment area and applied adhesive only up to that line.
I found it easier to attach the front panel to the back of the card base first. Using my centering ruler from Club Scrap, I lined everything up before adding Bearly Art Glue over the Scor-Tape and securing the panel in place.
Next, I turned the card right side up and removed the tape backing. After that, I added more Bearly Art Glue before securing the remaining section.
It’s important not to get any glue past the tape line. Otherwise, there’s a chance you’ll accidentally glue your card closed.
Decorating the Front Panel
When it came time to decorate the card, I turned to my “Tin of Things,” which is absolutely stuffed to the gills with leftover embellishments and backgrounds.
Near the bottom of the pile, I found some pre-colored flowers and leaves from the Altenew Adore You stamp and die set. These were colored with Copic markers and left over from my Copic Coloring on Gray Card blog post.
It took me a little while to decide on the arrangement. Eventually, I settled on placing the large flower and two leaves on the front panel. Then, to carry the design through the card, I added the smaller flower and leaf to the center panel.
I really love how this card turned out. The patterned paper is light enough that I can write directly on it without adding another layer. However, if your patterned paper is darker or busier, you may want to add a small piece of light-colored cardstock for your message.
More Double Z Fold Card Inspiration
Before wrapping up, I wanted to share a couple of additional Double Z Fold Card examples.
The first card is a vertical birthday version.
Here are the measurements that I used for the next two cards:
- Vertical Card Base
- Cardstock: 8 ½” x 5 ½”
- Score @ 2 1/8” & 4 ¼”
- Double Z Fold Base: 8 ½” x 3”
- Score @ 2 1/8” & 4 ¼”
- Remember to flip it around when making the card so the longer end is to the left of the card.
- Score @ 2 1/8” & 4 ¼”
- Cardstock: 8 ½” x 5 ½”
- Mats
- Base:
- One @ 4” x 5 ¼”
- Two @ 1 7/8” x 5 ¼”
- Double Z Base:
- One @ 4” x 2 ¾”
- Two @ 1 7/8” x 2 ¾”
- Base:
- Pattern Paper
- Base:
- One @ 3 ¾” x 5”
- Two @ 1 5/8” x 5”
- Double Z Base:
- One @ 3 ¾” x 2 ½”
- Two @ 1 5/8” x 2 ½”
- Base:
For this card, I matted the patterned paper with dark blue Bazzill Basics textured cardstock. The double-sided patterned paper is from American Crafts, and I finished it with a simple Happy Birthday sentiment from an older stamp set.
Just changing the orientation and paper choices gives this fold a completely different look.
My second example uses white and red Recollections cardstock along with patterned paper scraps from the Winter Berry paper pad from Hobby Lobby. The sentiment comes from a Seasons Greetings stamp set by Recollections.
Adding Extra Writing Space
I also wanted to share one more option. If you’d like additional room for a longer message, consider adding a pocket to the back of the card.
The pocket measures 5 1/4″ by 4″. Before attaching it, I used a circle punch to create a finger pull. I then adhered the pocket on three sides using 1/8″ Scor-Tape and Bearly Art Glue.
The insert measures a little less than 4 3/4″ by 3 3/4″, giving you plenty of room for a personal note.
Final Thoughts on the Double Z Fold Card
Thank you for joining me for today’s Double Z Fold Card project.
I have to say, I really enjoyed making these cards. The Double Z Fold is one of those designs that’s easy to customize, and every version ends up looking a little different. Whether you change the orientation, switch up the patterned paper, or add extra embellishments, the fold adapts beautifully.
One thing to keep in mind is that I used 110lb cardstock for the card base along with several layers of patterned paper and mats. As a result, the finished card is fairly thick. If you’re concerned about postage, you may want to consider using a lighter-weight cardstock.
Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you made a Double Z Fold Card before? If you were creating one today, what theme or occasion would you choose?
Let me know in the comments below. Until then, I hope you have an amazing week ahead, and I’ll see you back in the craft room again soon.
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