HARMONICA (Accordian) Templates
for Card Making
A range of 8 blue metal templates and printed card rulers (on the packaging) to help you create a variety of unusual card shapes to decorate.
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OUR VERDICT
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTIONS
The main thing that lets this product down is the lack of instructions. We have been asked so many times to show people what to do with the templates and how to understand the rulers. Some people have even thrown away the packaging, not realising the significance of the gold coloured strips on the inside! We have found that once someone is shown how the system works, they begin making great cards and love the different shape cards they can create.
COMPLEXITY
The templates are not difficult to use once you get your head round the principle. There are a lot of different card shapes you can make using the rulers provided, but you can also develop your own card rulers and use the templates in other ways to decorate your card rather than make the card a different shape. The best way to work out where you are going is to cut your ideas out of a piece of scrap paper first to check it all works ok and refine the measurements before wasting more expensive card.
The first 4 templates that were brought out came with rulers A B C & D – these are the easiest to use in the range. The template that will tests your powers of creativity the most is the tag shape which came out in the 2nd batch of templates with rulers E F G & H. Have a look at the photo below - Julie has made a lovely baby card using the tag template – show us what you make with your templates.
PRODUCT RANGE
The 8 templates currently available provide a good range of shapes options. There’s lots of different things you can do with the current range – we expect to see more shapes launched in this range in future.
VALUE FOR MONEY
The amount of value you get from your template depends on how good you are at lateral thinking. All 8 shapes can be used with all 8 rulers (some shapes suit some rulers better than others) If you can visualise other ways of using the templates, you will really get excellent value for money.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
Everyone likes Harmonica Cards when they see them. They are difficult if you have never seen one being used, but most people we have shown have changed their opinion of the templates – even those who have been ready to throw them in the bin in disgust have been converted! So our tip is ask us to show you how the system works or see if our guide below helps you to get to grips with this tricky little customer – although it is hard to give easy to understand written instructions!
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QUICK GUIDE TO THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF HARMONICA CARDS
- The first thing to do is look at the rulers on the back of the packaging. These are the strips of golden colour, labelled A – H (there are 4 on each pack). Look at the 4 little diagrams underneath the rulers. These are drawings of the 4 card styles you can create using the template. Try to focus on the general card shape not the shapes that have been cut out – all card styles can be produced from each template.
- Choose the card style you want to make – if it is Kaart A, you will need to use the ruler labelled A, Kaart B is ruler B and so on. For all styles except F and H* you need a piece of card the length of the ruler and the depth of the template. You will need to start off with a sheet of A4 card. *Card styles F & H have shapes cut above the basic card so you need to draw round the template before cutting style F and follow the size guide for style H) We suggest you don’t try card styles F or H before trying one of the more straightforward styles.
- Once you have cut your base card to size, line it up alongside the relevant ruler and mark where the dotted /solid lines are along the bottom and top of the card. Dotted lines indicate folds, solid lines are cuts. The > symbols are showing you where you need to place the blue metal template and the direction (think of it like an arrow) which you need to place and cut the shape(s). On the lines you have to cut your template, line the vertical edge of the template on the marks you made on the top and the bottom of the card. Don’t draw down the vertical edge – just use a fine pencil to draw around the bit of shape that sticks out. Score down the vertical edge but only up to the pencil outline – do not score through the shape to be cut out. Remove the template and then use your craft knife to cut out the pencil shape you drew. Where there are no > symbols just a dotted line, place a ruler along the line using the little pencil marks you made on the top and bottom of the card and score a line using an embossing stylus or the back of your craft knife (this will help you fold the card crisply).
- Finally fold the card along the scored lines following the little diagram as a guide. If it looks anything like the little diagram when you’ve finished, give yourself a big pat on the back! If you’re still confused, come in and see us – it’s so much easier to show someone how to make a card up than put instructions down on paper!
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Click Individual Cards for Larger Images
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RATINGS Excellent |
Product Tests
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