**UPDATE: A NEW TRIFOLD SHUTTER CARD VIDEO WAS ADDED HERE IN 2014!**

I’m stoked to bring you another tutorial today! This is an adaptation of the TriFold Shutter card that is
- easier and
- leaves room for a message on the back panel!
Here are two samples of the new format. This first one uses the poppy die from Memory Box – absolutely darling! And polkadot papers from BoBunny, which I just {puffy heart love}.
And the other is a Christmas card featuring Elf Marci…and more BoBunny dots! And STICKERS!

I saw a card or two with this format on the web, but I could never find a tutorial with measurements…which drove me nuts. So I just started cutting, scoring, and folding til I came up with a set of measurements that would work. The card base starts with a 12″ long piece, that’s the secret – and it’s also only 4″ when closed, rather than 4.25″. I think the full panel of writing space certainly makes it worth sacrificing a quarter of an inch!
So of course here is the video! My dog Ciara played my stunt double; I totally forgot that Dec 1 was around the corner and needed to get this edited, so she took my place…I had a bad hair day, and she rarely has one, so she got to be on camera instead!
This photo shows the view from above, so you can see the comparison between the simplification of the folds:

Remember that for OWH, dimension is an issue, so don’t popdot things on a card that folds this way; but now this format will be better for our heroes since they can write more than three words in the tiny panel available!
Click here to download the PDF template for BOTH the old and new TriFold Shutter Cards.
Do me a favor and share YOUR version of this adapted trifold shutter card format! I’d love to see what you come up with. This tut will eventually be reposted on the OWH blog, and when it does, I’d love to feature one of your cards as the sample, so the blog team will pick out their fave….do nice work! *grin*
Thank you so much for this. How fabulously simple. I will be using it in my card classes. You are very generous..
I enjoyed making the “old style” tri-fold card but will LOVE making the “new” version. The card is nice to look at, not so scattered with many small boxes. Thank you!!! And thanks to the original tri-fold designer for getting us 1/2 way there.
Thank you so much for posting about this card. I will be using Narelle’s Design Space cut for the Explore to use your design. I have always liked this style of card but never made one because of all the cutting and folding. Love your modifications to make it something more manageable. Again, thanks for sharing
Simplified folding plus room to write — what’s not to love? Thanks so much for this clever design and clear tutorial, which Narelle shared by your gracious permission.
Thanks so much Sandy!
Something has always annoyed me about the tri-fold card and now I know what it was! There was no-where to write anything. 🙂 I love your version. Thanks for the great tutorial. 🙂 I’ve been watching your videos all day while I’ve been crafting!
Hey Sandy, I have had this tutorial on my to-do list for a long time. I love your videos and you make seemingly complicated cards really easy to create. I just love how this card turned out (I linked it up)…I can’t wait to make more. Thanks again. Keep up the great work.
Sandy – you are the best! I always wanted to make a trifold shutter card buit the instructions were way to complicated for me to follow. Your video and diagram made it very simple and clear. Thank you thank you thank you.
Thanks for sharing. I like it better than the older trifold!
awesome, thank you and merry christmas
thank you for the template and tutorial for an amazing card!
Holly
Thank you for the simplified shutter pattern. Haven’t tried it yet but will. Made several with the old pattern. Though pretty, they were a lot of work. Like the space in the back for a message.
Love this Sandy. I Pinned these the night you posted this, and people have be re-pinning like crazy! Think you have a winner. I’ve always wanted to make one of these for OWH, but worried about the lack of writing space. Thanks for solving the problem.
Woohoo! Thanks for pinning, I’ve been forgetting to keep up with my own pinning 🙂 Merry Christmas Kathy!
I love it – was so simple! I made several of them to finish off my christmas cards! Thank you for sharing your template.
Absolutely AWESOME!!! Looking at the finished cards, you have no idea how much EASIER the new version is than the old. And the space to write a message is fantastic. THANK YOU, Thank You, thank you!
P.S. Hope you feel better today. And give Ciara a big raise – she did a GREAT job as your stunt double. 🙂
Truth be told I’ve never tried a trifold-shutter design before… just felt too ‘busy’ for my tastes but I’m going to download your template (thank you!) so I can give your new simplified version a try. Love both of these cards too!
Awesome card design Sandy! I love the original tri-fold but your redesign looks much better, especially for OWH cards!
Love It!!! Always liked tri-folds, esp to use up my scraps. I was not happy that there was no space to put a message. Thanks to you I can’t wait to get started on your new card so that I can finish my Christmas cards. I will be sending a lot of these to OWH with a blank for the inscription. Thanks again
Connie
Just a question about the new template. It says to cut from the 2 to 6 inch fold but the diagram shows the cut right to 8 inches. Also the dimensions for the accent piece on the segment from 6 to 8 inches just appears for the bottom quadrant. Is it supposed to be cut or the full panel? I intend to set this up to cut with my cameo and want to make sure I have it correct. thanks
I wondered about that too, but after watching the video it makes sense now. It is only cut to the 6 inch mark.
Yep my diagram got goofy! I’ll fix it and re-upload – yes you only cut to the 6inch mark. That’s what I get for making that template late at night!
Thank you so much for the downloads, and for the tutorial! Gorgeous cards, too…you never cease to amaze me, Sandy!!!
Idownloaded the templates and I think the newer version seems to be a favorite for me. And, I love the samples you did. I never tried one before and sad to say I doubt I can find a lot of time in December to do much in artwork. But if time permits, I will give it a try.
THANK YOU!!! This is one of my favorite card folds but I rarely make it b/c of no where to write a message…you’re a genius!!! Beautiful cards – love the poppies!!
Sandy, thank you so much for this tutorial. Your cards are beautiful. So nice to have the extra room for the soldiers to write in.
Can’t wait to share this w/ my card making group. Thanks Sandy.
Both cards are wonderful, but I’m inclined to like the new design better. Not only does it allow for more writing space, it’s looks more appealing to me! I love those beautiful die-cut flowers on the first! TFS the template – now I’m going to have to try making one of these 🙂
Many thanks for the ‘new design’, Sandy. This seems so much more do-able! It’s a very innovative and quicker version … you’re a designing wonder!! :o)
Thanks for the template of the new design, Sandy. That is a great improvement and your valentine is beautiful. I just printed off the template and I am ready to go