This year, skip the real shirt and tie for dad and show him some love with a homemade Father’s Day card. Get step-by-step instructions for making a Father’s Day shirt card.
Materials:
- Decorative paper for shirt
- Decorative paper for accessories
- Scissors
- Glue or double-sided craft tape
Optional Materials:
- Bone folder
- Hole punch
- Decorative wrapping paper
- Instructions for DIY Father’s Day shirt card
Throughout the craft, it's important to create crisp folds. A bone folder can help make this easier.
Step 1: Create vertical folds
If using decorative paper, turn the paper over so the right side is facing down. Fold the paper in half.
![Father's Day shirt card: Step 1 fold in half]()
Lay the paper flat and fold each side up into the center fold. Open up paper and lay it flat.
![Father's Day shirt card: Creating vertical folds]()
Need a gift idea? Try making a Father's Day cookie necktie that coordinates with his shirt card.
Step 2: Fold bottom corners
Take the bottom left-hand corner and fold it in to the first fold line. Repeat on the other side.
![Father's Day shirt card:Fold up bottom corners]()
Close the folds back up so the outside sides align with the center fold.
![Father's Day shirt card:Fold outside sides in]()
Step 3: Create sleeves
Take the bottom side of the paper and fold it up just beyond the upside-down V. Make a nice, crisp fold.
![Father's Day shirt card:Fold up bottom portion]()
Open bottom fold out again.
Where the paper joins in the middle of the center V, take the inside point and fold it out to the left side edge of paper.
![Father's Day shirt card:Bring inside corner to outside edge]()
Repeat on the other side. Note: the paper will come up slightly on the bottom.
![Father's Day shirt card: Fold up bottom corners]()
Take the bottom of the paper and fold it up to just beyond the upside down V. Crease it nice and sharp.
![Father's Day shirt card: Fold up to V]()
Step 4: Create the collar
Flip the paper over and go to the top. Fold the top portion over about 1/2-inch so there is a crease at the top.
![Father's Day shirt card: Turn card over and fold top]()
Flip the paper over so the top crease is to the back. Bring the top left corner to the center fold so that it creates a triangle shape.
![Father's Day shirt card:Creating a collar]()
Repeat on the right side. Make sure folds are sharp.
![Father's Day shirt card: Creating a collar]()
Step 5: Complete the shirt
Bring the bottom end up and tuck it underneath the top flaps . Now you have your basic shirt shape!
![Father's Day shirt card: Fold up bottom of shirt]()
Step 6: Add a personal message
To add a personal message inside the card, cut out a piece of cardstock that can fit inside the card. The one used here is approximately 3-1/2 inches by 5-1/2 inches. Secure it to shirt with glue or double-sided tape. Write dad a note.
![Father's Day shirt card: Add personal message]()
Step 7: Accessorize the shirt
Add embellishments to the outside of the shirt to give it some of dad’s style. Ideas to consider include a tie, pocket, bowtie, or buttons.
To make a tie: cut a 1/2-inch strip of decorative paper. If you know how to knot a tie, now’s the time to show your skills. If not, fake it by looping strip around the top until a faux knot is created.
![Father's Day shirt card: Loop paper to make a tie]()
![Father's Day shirt card: Tying a tie knot]()
Snip the bottom corners of the paper to create a pointed end. Secure to shirt with a dab of glue or double sided tape.
![Father's Day shirt card: Secure tie to shirt]()
Father's Day shirt card: Tie and hanky
To add a pocket, cut a small square of decorative paper and round-out the bottom edges . Using the same paper as the personalized message, free-hand cut a small shape to serve as the hanky. Secure it to the shirt with glue or sticky tape.
![Father's Day shirt card: Striped tie and pocket hanky]()
Father's Day shirt card: Bowtie and buttons
To add a bowtie, cut a small rectangle and slightly snip the corners on a diagonal. Add buttons by using a hole punch. Secure it to the shirt with a dab of glue or sticky tape.
![Father's Day shirt card: Bowtie and buttons]()
Father's Day shirt card: Made with wrapping paper
Wrapping paper also works as a substitute for cardstock or decorative scrapbooking paper. This one was made from leftover Christmas wrapping paper. Wrapping paper wrinkles a little easier, though, so if you're using it, plan to make one as a mockup or be very precise when making the first folds.
![Father's Day shirt card: Plaid shirt]()
Final project: Father's Day shirt card
![Father's Day shirt cards]()
More Father's Day gifts
iDad Father's Day card
DIY Father's Day t-shirt
Father's Day craft for kids