Scroll Saw Greeting Cards

by kelly — November 1, 2022

Saw a stack of wooden and paper greeting cards

By Gloria Cosgrove
Cut by Rolf Beuttenmuller

These seasonal designs are sized just right for greeting cards. You can stack-cut cardstock or thin plywood to make overlays for greeting cards, or use slightly thicker hardwood to create a card that doubles as an ornament. Learn more about stack-cutting here. You could also increase the size of the patterns to make wall hangings.

Making the Cards

To cut the pieces, make a stack of thin plywood or cardstock. Sandwich the stack between two pieces of 1/8″ (3mm) or 1/4″ (6mm) scrap plywood, wrap the stack with painter’s tape, and attach the pattern to the tape. Drill blade-entry holes and cut the pieces. I suggest using a skip-tooth blade, because a reverse-tooth blade tends to trap the sawdust inside, which can heat the blade. If the blade gets too hot, it will scorch the paper. The sacrificial scrap on the top and bottom of the stack will keep the cut edges of the cardstock clean. Separate the stack, clean the frets, and finish the wood, if desired.

Cut the cardstock for the cards to fit in business-size envelopes. Secure a paper or wood overlay to each card with double-sided tape, tacky glue, or hot glue.

Attach the designs to cardstock to create unique holiday greetings.

Materials

• Wood, such as plywood, 1/16″ (2mm) thick or cardstock: 2 3/4” x 6 7/8″ (7cm x 17.5cm)

• Wood, such as scrap plywood, 1/8″ (3mm) to 1/4″ (6mm) thick: 2 each, 2 3/4” x 6 7/8″ (7cm x 17.5cm)

• Cardstock or scrap wood of choice (for decorative overlay): sized to fit

• Double-sided tape, tacky glue, or hot glue

• Blue painter’s tape

• Spray adhesive

Tools

• Scroll saw with blades: #3 skip tooth

• Drill with bits: assorted

About the Author

Art has always been a part of Gloria Cosgrove’s life. Gloria started sketching as a child. She quilted and worked with pastels, watercolors, and oil paints before discovering scherenschnitte (paper cutting).