ATC Trader Pockets – July 2009

ATC Trader Pockets Tutorial – Project & Tutorial by Etha Schuette

I love making ATCs, swapping, trading, sending them in the mail. I do not trade in person (although I wish I could) so if I trade I do this through the mail. Now I’d like my little pretties to be well protected when they make their way through the postal system, yet, it should all fit into a regular sized envelope. ~ Etha

How about a trader pocket? Do you trade, one, two, three or perhaps four ATCs at a time? We got them all covered, follow along for some templates and examples on how to quickly make a very stylish pocket for your ATCs! Be sure to scroll all the way down and read through because there are several instruction sets included in this one tutorial.

General remarks for ALL trading pockets: use sturdy card stock, embellish/stamp BEFORE assembly. Keep the theme/colors/embellishments neutral so that these can be used over and over again!

Trading one or two ATCs:

For mailing out one to two, I take the same pocket. If you only send one, how about sticking a small handwritten note into the other side?

Supplies:

• Regular Cardstock – one 8.5″x11″ sheet
• 2 brads or eyelets
• Stamps of your choosing (Heavenly Tea set works perfectly)
• Acrylic Blocks
• Embellishments of your choosing
• Paper Trimmer
• Ruler
• Bone Folder

Directions:

1. Score long side of 7″ x 5.5″ piece at center at 3.5″
2. Score short side at 1.5″
3. Cut out greyed area
4. Stamp, decorate, embellish, etc. and fold up pocket flaps
5. Add brads (x) with legs inside as shown in the picture below

Additional ideas for step 5: Machine sew flap sides, add eyelet at X and use to insert ribbon for closure bow, use staples to close side flap.

Trading Three ATCs:

Supplies:

• Same list of supplies as for 1-2 Trading ATCs

Directions:

1. Score long side of 10.5″x5.5″ piece at 3.5 and 7″
2. Score short side at 1.5″
3. Cut out 2 notches (greyed areas)
4. Cut 1/8″ off right side
5. Fold pockets up + add brads as shown (x). The legs of the two outer brads are outside!

Note: “sign” the back of your pocket, note to recipient to re-use it! Don’t be tempted to add the center brads on the tops of the flaps, this will be too tight of a fit for the ATC. They are fine on the bottom because we only need to hold the flap up a bit!

Now are you ready for a bit more elaborate trader? Often groups do “half swaps” with 4 cards being traded, you’ve come to the right place here, read on to make the “Four Corner Trader”!

Trading FOUR ATCs:

The Four Corner Trader needs a bit more patience to be completed but it is SO worth it!! Since 4 ATCs can generate a bit more bulk, this trader has a 1/4″ spine on the back.

Supplies:

• One 12″x12″ sheet of regular cardstock + a small remnant or different color cardstock
• two eyelets
• Stamps of your choosing
• Acrylic blocks
• Embellishments of your choosing
• Paper Trimmer
• Ruler
• Bone Folder
• Decorative Border Punch
• Small piece of ribbon

Directions:

1. Score long side of 12″x8 1/4″ piece at 2.75″ on both ends
2. Score short side at 4″ on both ends (this makes the spine)
3. Score short side at 2 1/2″ up to “A” score line 4 times (see image below)
4. Cut out greyed areas
5. Fold the Four Corners Trader (use bone folder), DO NOT GLUE!
6. Cut 2 strips of 6.5″x2″ from same or different cardstock, score along center (1 inch) and pre-fold
7. Unfold again and use border punch (or other decoration) on all long sides (2 strips)
   
8. Apply adhesive to top UNPUNCHED part of 1 strip along center score line and lay pocket on top of strip up to score line
   
9. Apply adhesive to the bottom of triangles only + fold up decorated strip to adhere (the center has NO glue!). Repeat step 8-9 on other side
10. Close pocket. Find center point of unpunched part of strip(s) + pierce hole through all layers, this marks spot for the next step.
    
11. Open pocket and add eyelet to center of both sides. You can thread a ribbon through this to close your Four Corners Trader.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this tutorial and will make use of my ideas! Would it not be fun if you make these for your trades and years down the line you will get one of your own traders back??

The ATC Trader Pockets are your free gift for the recipient of your trade, but not to keep, it should stay in use and be sent on by that person to the next ATC exchange. They were not meant for ATC storage as everybody has their own system going for saving and displaying these wonderful pieces of artwork!