Why make quilted fabric postcards?
- Making postcards is a great way to practice free motion quilting.
- Use up scraps, all those special pieces that you just can't throw away
- Stop sending those boring made in china holiday cards that people look at for 2 seconds then toss in a pile - send your special friends and family .......... well, something special.
- Great way to try a new technique - fabric paint, inks, thread painting, pastels, try out new quilting designs and fillers - anything that will come out flat you can do.
- The pleasure of making a work of art with very little commitment of time and fabric, if you make a Christmas card that's not to Christmassy you will see your friends displaying your work all year long.
- Best of all - IT'S FUN!
This tutorial will guide you thru making a fabric postcard that can be sent in the mail just like any other postcard. I usually put a regular letter stamp on and it gets there just fine. As long as you use a stiff interfacing as directed and keep the thickness to 1/8" or so it will get to its destination. Thread painting is fine but no buttons or things that might get caught in a sorting machine. The size must be 3.5" x 5.5" minimum - most fabric postcards are 4" x6".
The pattern for the critter condo shown here can be downloaded for free on Craftsy. Check out the Craftsy craftlet button on the right to see all the patterns I have available. (Don't we all LOVE craftsy) Best thing since God created the rotary cutter. Lol!
Supplies:
- 1/4 yard of heavy interfacing is enough for 3 postcards - peltex or timtex - no need to use the fusible kind - the sew in kind is easier on your machine needles and quilts better.
- Card stock paper for the back - I've included a postcard template in the pattern to print or write your own
- Assorted fabric scraps - different shades of white for snow and a 5" x 7" scrap for sky or background
- 1/4 yard is more than enough of lite fusible web - pellon heat and bond or wonder under 805
- Basic quilting supplies - ruler, mat rotary cutter, scissors, iron
Whether using my pattern or making on up yourself, make it at least a half inch bigger than your finished goal of 6" x 4". Using fusible web is probablly the easiest but you could use fabric paint, inks, crayons or just scraps that look good to you. It's your card - have fun with it!
After you are happy with how the front looks and you've fused in place (if your using fusible) then cut out a piece of the peltex an inch or so larger then your front. Put it on the back like batting (no back needed) You can trim it down later. Quilt as much or as little as you like, just make sure all the pieces are securely quilted down.
Trim off the edges to make the postcard finish no bigger than 4"x6" (but no less than 3.5" x 5.5")
Trace the finished size on the back of your card stock, cut out and place on the back of your card. I have included pre printed backs with the free pattern that you can print out on card stock.
Use a fairly narrow and close together zig zag. Somewhere between your preset zig zag and a satin stitch. Go all the way around and your done!
Address and add your message, slap on a stamp and put in the mail. You can have the post office hand stamp it but as long as you keep to the directed thickness and size it will mail fine.
Easy Peasy!
Try it, you will love making them :-)
Posted with Blogsy
Carol, thank you for posting these directions. I have always loved these, but reading what you said about it being a great way to practice both stitching and using different media has convinced me this is a must-do project for me. Thanks again!
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