Jun 9th 2009 02:21:50 pm

I am currently in the Matchbox Backpack on a Dotee swap and decided I wanted to try something a little different for the matchbox – something that would work well as a tiny backpack. I referred back to a beautiful matchbox sent to me by ScullyB for the Punch It! matchbox swap back in 2007. The matchbox she sent had a seemingly intricate cover that worked something like an envelope for the little matchbox drawer inside. You can see photos of that matchbox in action above.

I decided to make something similar for my backpack matchbox and thought I would share a downloadable PDF template with you. (I don’t quite have my dotee and backpack complete, but I promise to post photos when I do!)

The inner drawer of this matchbox is exactly the same as my original Matchbox Template, but the outer wrap differs significantly. I constructed my outer envelope wrap a little differently than ScullyB, but it gives the same effect. The final matchbox constructed with this template will be about the same size as a standard store-bought 32-count matchbox – approximately 1.5 x 2 x .5 inches.

Download the Envelope-style Matchbox Template PDF here.

Here are the basic instructions that are printed on the template:

1. Print out template on cardstock at 100%. Do not “fit to paper size” or your matchbox will not be the correct size.
2. Cut along all black lines; score and fold along all grey lines.
3. Apply glue to the light grey areas of the inside drawer.
4. Fold the sides of the inside drawer in on themselves (they will be end up being double thick) while tucking the tabs into the folds of the shorter sides of the drawer.
5. Fold the outside wrap around the inside drawer while folding in its bottom and tucking in the tabs. (I suggest test folding the outer wrap around the inner drawer at first, then removing the inside drawer and doing the final fold with glue. This fold is a little tricky as you must tuck in the tabs and the final side.) Glue it in place.
6. The flap on the right side of the outside wrap template is the matchbox’s envelope closure. Fold it over the top of the box and secure it with a seal or ribbon.
7. Decorate your matchbox!

Writing the instructions is the most difficult part of making these templates. I know they are confusing, but try printing the template on regular paper and practicing a few times before tackling the real deal in card stock. Let me know if you have any questions.

5 Comments » Categories: Tuesday Tip

5 Responses to “Tues Tip: Envelope-style Matchbox Template”

1. zerofantasies on 09 Jun 2009 at 8:10 pm #

   This is such a great idea! I plan on trying to make matchboxes and this is a great way to start. Thanks!

2. Maggin on 11 Jun 2009 at 3:20 pm #

   I think they’re so cute, but I’m confused as to what you use them for, or if they’re just for show.

3. Amandalee on 14 Jun 2009 at 9:22 pm #

   Hi Rachel,

   Thanks for another cool template! I just have 1 request please Would it be possible to make another template that has 2 copies of the outside wrap, and 2 copies of the inner drawer? I have made a few of your matchboxes lately and would love to be able to print more than 1 copy of the pattern per page. (saves paper!)

   Thanks, Amandalee

4. rachel on 17 Jun 2009 at 5:31 pm #

   Good idea, Amandalee! I will work on making a new pdf with two per page for those who do not need directions.

5. Swap-bot Weblog on 24 Jun 2009 at 6:49 pm #

   [...] your matchbox from scratch, I have two free downloadable PDF templates that you can use here and here. You can also view lots of examples of matchboxes on my Flickr Swap-bot [...]

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