Fabric Postcard Tutorial

I have had several requests to do a tutorial on making the fabric postcards that I have shown on my blog. They are a really fun, small project to work on and I hope that everyone can enjoy the process. Give it a try and post a photo on your blogs to let me see what masterpiece you have created.

Locate several scraps of fabrics that are pleasing to you. There can be as many as you feel comfortable using. Cut into strips that when sewn together will give you a piece that will measure at least 4 1/4" by 6 1/2".

Sew strips together. At this point you are really free to do anything. Sometimes I will do piecework, sometimes just one solid piece of fabric and sometimes a paper pieced project.

Cut a piece of double sided fusible interfacing such as Timtex or a similar brand used for making fabric bowls. I cut this piece at 4 1/4" by 6 1/2".

Using a dry iron, fuse your work to the piece of interfacing. You may want to use a silicone pressing sheet underneath as the interfacing is double sided fusible and can release onto your ironing board.



Trim the fused card to a measurement slightly larger than you want. I like to trim mine to the 4 1/4" by 6 1/2" measurement.

At this point you can add decorative ribbons, trims, stitches, paints or whatever else you feel like. Free motion quilting can also be done by dropping the feed dogs on your sewing machine and using a darning foot.

I also like to add beads to my cards. This can be done by sewing them on individually or threading them onto a wire. All hand sewing and ornamentation must be done before adding the card stock to the back.

To add beads on a wire I coil one end of the wire, thread the beads and then coil the other end.

Stitch the wire or beads in place by hand. Be sure to tack the wire down frequently between the beads to avoid the possibility of them slipping off in the mail.

At this point you will trim your postcard to the size of 4" by 6 1/4" and you will cut a piece of card stock to 4" by 6 1/4" as well.

Mark the card stock at the midway point and do a decorative stitching, stenciling or simply drawing a line down the marked line.

Iron (no steam) card stock to the back side of the postcard. Be sure your iron is clean or you can leave marks on the card stock. You can also use a pressing cloth to avoid the problem.

Apply a paper backed fusible web to a selected border fabric cut 3" by 6 1/2". I prefer a double stick fusible web as it is easier to attach the borders to the postcard.

Cut four strips at 5/8 of an inch wide by 6 1/2". Strips will eventually be trimmed to the size of the postcard. Another way of finishing the edges is to use a zig-zag stitch or a satin stitch around the edges. I prefer the borders as it gives the card a more finished look.

Remove the paper backing and attach two side borders first by folding them in half and ironing them in place - over the two short edges of postcard. Trim to match the four inch sides.

Continue to apply border to the 6 1/4" sides as you did in the last step.

Add decorative stitching down the middle of the entire border.

Take a moment to sit back and enjoy your finished project.

Add a note, stamp and address. Mail it off to a friend.