Ring, ring—a new and exciting project is calling! I have yet another fun, vintage-inspired papercraft that I am super excited to share with you. So, answer the call, and make this 3D retro phone today.
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Unfortunately, I never had a rotary dial phone like this when I was growing up—I always wanted one, though! That being said, I definitely remember the days of corded phones and not being able to get on the internet if mom was expecting a call.
Luckily, this cute little telephone won’t interfere with your internet connection, nor will it cause you any stress about long-distance charges! And, if (like me) you too have always thought it would be fun to have a rotary dial phone, here is your chance.
Watch a short video of me putting this project together on Instagram.
Supplies
- Cardstock
- Hot Glue
- Precision Craft Glue or a Glue Stick
- A Spiral Hair Tie or Ribbon
- Foam Tape (optional)
- Bone Folder (optional)
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
How to Make It
1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the 3D retro phone pieces.
Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending them through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, and a bright blue to indicate the debossing lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.
Prep Work
2. Start by layering all of the decorative panels on the phone base pieces.
Assembling the Phone Base
3. Fold each of the phone base pieces along the score lines. Take the front piece and start attaching it to the left side. Don’t affix the back panel just yet.
Next, take the two small phone base pieces and fold along the score lines. These will be used to create two “indents” in the top, in order for the ear pieces of the phone to rest. Attach one to the left wall and front piece. Attach the other just to the front piece at this time.
4. Next, take your other side piece and attach it to the right side of the phone base. Fold the bottom portion inward and attach it to the two tabs provided. Lastly, attach the back panel.
Assembling the Dial
5. Layer your phone dial pieces like so. You can use either hot glue or foam tape for added dimension.
Note: Two grey pieces are included. This is just to provide an extra layer of depth and make the rotary dial look a little more realistic.
Once assembled, attach the dial to the front of your phone base.
Assembling the Handset
6. There are four rectangular strips in this design. The two that are the exact same size are for the earpieces. Set those aside for now.
The other two pieces will be used for the handle of the handset. Take the longer one and fold all of the little tabs inward. Glue them to the inside of the top arch of one of the curved pieces. Attach the other curved piece to the tabs on the opposite side.
Next, take the smaller strip and attach the little tabs to the bottom arch on both of the curved pieces.
With those in place, you can assemble your earpieces.
Start by attaching one circle to either end of the handset, using the tabs/slits provided.
Next, take one of the leftover rectangular strips and form a ring. Attach the little tabs on one side around the edge of one of the solid circle pieces. Then, attach that to one of the circle pieces already affixed to the handset.
Repeat with the other earpiece.
Finishing Up
7. Add any finishing touches you’d like. I also added a phone cord (aka a severed spiral hair tie) to one end of the handset and the phone base.
I changed up the scale and style of the handset a lot while designing this project. I was really nervous that it wouldn’t end up looking like…well, a telephone. But, overall, I think it came together nicely! And if that spiral “cord” doesn’t give it away, then I don’t know what will! My 5-year-old son saw it in my office and immediately started to “call” me, so at least one person recognized it as a phone.
I use Adobe Illustrator for all of my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other fun freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy putting my 3D retro phone together. And don’t forget to share your super cute, finished project with me on Instagram!
*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through my links to make a purchase, you are supporting this blog and the hard work that goes into providing free, quality designs.
Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 16 Comments on 3D Retro Phone – Vintage Cut Files
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sylvie
November 2, 2022 at 6:59 am (2 years ago)merci beaucoup pour le partage Mandee
it is funny to read : at least one person (your little one) recognized it as a phone
thank you again for sharing
Mandee
November 2, 2022 at 11:44 am (2 years ago)Haha, I’m glad you enjoyed that! And thanks for your kind words. ❤️
Nina
November 12, 2022 at 2:01 am (2 years ago)E bellissimo, grazie 😊
Nicole
November 2, 2022 at 8:08 am (2 years ago)This is so beautiful! You do incredible work! I literally cannot wait to make this!
Nicole
November 2, 2022 at 10:47 am (2 years ago)I just cannot get over how cool this is. Any thoughts about the candle stick style phone?
Mandee
November 2, 2022 at 11:42 am (2 years ago)Oh my gosh, it was so hard to decide between this style and that one! I’d love to make that one too, if people seem to like this design!!
Helen J Roberts
November 2, 2022 at 11:56 am (2 years ago)Oh yes, please. Candlestick phone would be awesome!
Nicole
November 2, 2022 at 6:21 pm (2 years ago)Ahhhh that would be soo cool!
Christine Hopkinson
November 2, 2022 at 12:37 pm (2 years ago)Thank you. I love your work, it is so beautiful
Mandee
November 6, 2022 at 4:41 pm (2 years ago)Aww, thank you so much!!
Anne
November 2, 2022 at 3:14 pm (2 years ago)Waouh, trop beau !!! J’adore. Merci pour le partage.
Mandee
November 6, 2022 at 4:42 pm (2 years ago)Thank you very much Anne! ❤️
Christina
November 2, 2022 at 7:21 pm (2 years ago)Love this! I am still yet to make a project of yours but I am really excited about this one. I must just take the time to do it ❤️
Mandee
November 6, 2022 at 4:44 pm (2 years ago)So many projects, so little time! I definitely know how that is (you should see the wooden doll house I was supposed to finish for my daughter a year ago…). I hope you find the time to do this one—it’s a fun project!
Amanda
August 9, 2024 at 10:24 am (1 month ago)I mistakenly downloaded this pattern instead of the phone card!!! Imagine my confusion! I cut everything out and it just didn’t look like a card to me…..then I saw the pieces and imagined them all together! Still couldn’t figure it out. I scoured your site for a 3D phone and FINALLY found the directions for this! I put it all together and lo and behold it looks like a phone!!! LOL
I have since found the card pattern, but I have not yet made it!
I love all of your patterns and thank you so much for offering them for free!
Mandee
August 16, 2024 at 10:56 am (4 weeks ago)Oh my goodness! I apologize, but this made me laugh. 😂
I’m sorry for the mixup, but I’m glad you got it all figured out in the end. And now you have two lovely papercrafts in your collection!