Do you ever find yourself needing a card for one of the guys in your life, but every idea you come up with feels a little too ordinary?

Masculine cards can sometimes be challenging, especially when you want the card to feel personal, fun and a little unexpected. That is one reason I love keeping a few versatile templates on hand that I can adapt for different people, colours and occasions.

This shorts-shaped card is one of my favourites! It works for guys of almost any age and can easily be used for a birthday, Father’s Day, retirement, a summer celebration or simply as a fun card for someone who enjoys fishing, travelling or spending time outdoors.

The best part is that you only need to create the shorts template once. After that, you can tuck it away with your card-making supplies and use it again whenever you need a quick and creative masculine card.

Watch the Shorts-Shaped Card Tutorial

I made the original stamped version during one of my Friday live videos. In the video, I show you how to create the reusable template from the beginning, cut the shaped card base and add all of the little details that make the shorts come to life.

Create Your Own Patterned Fabric with Stamps

For my first card, I started with a Basic White card base and created my own patterned “fabric” using several small stamp images.

I used a little flower from the Boutique Blossoms Stamp Set along with leafy and filler images to build the pattern. Golden Glow, Secret Sea and Cloud Cover gave me a colour combination that felt cheerful and summery without being too bright.

When you are creating a random stamped background, try arranging the images in loose triangle formations. They do not need to form perfect triangles, but this little trick helps the images look evenly distributed while still appearing random.

I also turned the card as I stamped and allowed some of the images to extend beyond the edges. That makes the finished design look more like the shorts were cut from a larger piece of patterned fabric.

Jenn Tip: Look at Your Small Stamps Differently

Small flowers, leaves, dots and filler images are perfect for creating custom backgrounds. You do not necessarily have to use a stamp set exactly as it was originally designed. A tiny flower from a floral set can become part of a masculine fabric pattern when you change the colours and combine it with simple leafy images.

Finish the Shorts with Realistic Details

The little details are what make this card especially fun.

I added a coordinating Secret Sea cardstock waistband and stamped it with a subtle tone-on-tone pattern. Two punched holes allowed me to thread white baker’s twine through the waistband and tie it into a small bow.

You could also skip the twine and use two small gems or pearls to resemble rivets or buttons. This gives the card a slightly different look while keeping the design nice and simple.

For the fly, I added a small piece of matching stamped cardstock and drew faux stitching with the fine tip of a Secret Sea Stampin’ Blends Marker.

Jenn Tip: Add Interest Without Adding Bulk

Drawn stitching and tone-on-tone stamping are easy ways to add detail without making your card thicker or more complicated. These subtle touches help define the shape and make the shorts look much more realistic.

Use Designer Series Paper for an Even Faster Version

If you do not want to stamp your own pattern, Designer Series Paper makes this card even faster.

I made several additional versions using the Waterside Retreat and Splash of Sparkles Designer Series Papers. Each pattern gives the exact same template a completely different personality.

 

The plaid paper creates a classic everyday pair of shorts, while the striped paper feels bright and summery. The fish pattern is perfect for someone who enjoys fishing, and I added contrasting cuffs using the water-patterned reverse side of the same sheet.

Jenn Tip: Attach the DSP Before Trimming

When covering the card with Designer Series Paper, adhere a piece that is slightly larger than the card front first. Line up the bottom edge carefully, glue it in place and then trim around the card base.

This is much easier than trying to cut the DSP to the exact shorts shape before attaching it. The waistband can cover any tiny unevenness along the top edge.

One Template, So Many Possibilities

Once you have the basic shape, you can change almost everything else.

Try tropical flowers for swim trunks, small geometric patterns for dressier shorts, plaid for an outdoorsy card or a fishing print for the angler in your family. You could even use team colours, favourite colours or papers that reflect the recipient’s hobbies.

The waistband can be stamped, left plain or decorated with a coordinating pattern. Add twine, gems, pearls or simple drawn details. You can also add cuffs to the legs or keep the edges straight.

Although I originally designed this with masculine cards in mind, the template could easily be adapted for anyone. Change the paper and colours, add a pretty pattern or even include a small ruffle or decorative trim.

Make and Save a Reusable Shorts Template

I recommend making the template from something sturdier than regular cardstock so it will last through repeated use.

The cardboard backing included in many packs of Designer Series Paper is perfect for this. It is firm enough to trace around easily, but it can still be cut with a paper trimmer and scissors.

Label the finished template and store it with your favourite card sketches, templates or masculine stamp sets. The next time you need a guy card, most of the planning will already be done for you.

Jenn Tip: Do Not Throw Away All That Cardboard!

The cardboard sheets from your DSP packs are useful for reusable card templates, masks and small storage dividers. Save a few flat pieces before recycling the rest.

Shorts Card Measurements

Here are the basic measurements used to create the card and reusable template:

• Basic White card base: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″, scored and folded at 4-1/4″
• Template: 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″
• Waistband: approximately 5-1/2″ x 3/4″, trimmed after attaching

To shape the template:

1. Begin with a 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ rectangle.
2. Mark 1/2″ in from each side along the bottom edge.
3. Mark the centre of the top edge at 2-3/4″.
4. Measure 1-3/4″ upward from the bottom centre.
5. Mark approximately 1/2″ on either side of that centre line to create the opening between the legs.
6. Draw the angled outer lines and the short inner lines, then trim to create the shorts shape.

You can watch the template-making portion of the video for a clear visual demonstration before cutting your permanent cardboard version.

A Fun Card to Personalize for Almost Anyone

This design proves that a masculine card does not need to be plain or predictable. Whether you stamp your own patterned fabric or let your Designer Series Paper do most of the work, the shorts shape adds plenty of personality.

Once your reusable template is made, you can pull it out again and again, change the paper and colours, and create a completely different card each time.

Which version of the shorts card is your favourite?  the hand-stamped shorts, the plaid pair, the stripes or the fishing-themed design?

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