Postcards can be charming!

Starting in July, 2008, we are challenging members to make Quilted Post Cards with charm squares. They are to be brought to the September meeting and they will be displayed. Your name will be put into a hat and then a name will be picked and a prize given. They are not being judged, just a draw for participating. Have Fun!

September Postcards!

Summer Holidays is the theme.
postcard postcard postcard postcard postcard 

 

Here's How To Create A Quilted Postcard

Your Quilted Postcards should be approx. 4" X 6" and have 3 parts:

  • 1.  A "front" that is made from fabric, with or without embellishments or mixed media enhancement,
  • 2.  A "middle" that is made from batting, recommenced no thicker than 3/8", and
  • 3.  A "back" that is stiff and probably made from card stock or an (unlined) 4" X "6" index card.

Here's how to make them:

  • 1.  Select a base fabric or fabrics for the 4" X 6" front of the quilted postcard.
  • Use a single piece of fabric,
    or
  • "Create" fabric using strip or any other piecing technique,
    or
  • Fuse loose scraps of fabric to batting, sewing down as you'd like.
  • 2.  Select a piece of scrap bat that is a little larger than 4" X 6". Poly or cotton will work, but we recommend no thicker than 3/8" to comply with Postal Service requirements.
  • 3.  Connect the fabric front to your bat by fusing the two together or while attaching your embellishments.
  • 4.  Now, embellish the front of your postcard as you like. Try machine stitching, hand embroidery, or sewing on ribbons, buttons, sequins or any flat object. Consider mixed media techniques (as long as they're flat), including stamping, foiling, painting, printing, Angelina fibers, prismatic foils. Your imagination sets the limit.
  • 5.  Remember, this is going through the mail; so all of your embellishments should be flat.
  • 6.  Create a back for your post card by attaching a 4" X 6" piece of card stock (or a blank index card) as a back to the quilted front you've created. Use a straight stitch, zigzag or satin stitch (all seem to work fine) to attach the back of your postcard (card stock or index card) to the quilted front of your postcard.
    Hint: I make my quilted postcard front a little larger than 4" X 6". Then, I attach my card stock/index card back to the quilted front by machine, quilted front side down on the feed-dogs, paper back side up facing the needle so I can use the edge of the card as a sewing guide. Then I trim the excess from the front.
  • 7.  Edges may look a little ragged, but that's part of the charm!
  • 8.  Perfection is not important. This is an opportunity and an excuse to stretch and experiment with new ideas in a very small space.

Printed instructions are available here.

 

Here are a few websites you might find helpful:

 

http://www.4ormore.co.uk/projects/postcards.htm
http://www.quiltbug.com/postcards.htm
http://www.postmarkdart.com/faq.php
http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpatternsprojects/ss/fabric_postcard.htm
http://debrichardson.blogspot.com/2005/09/how-to-make-fabric-postcard-debr-style.html http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabricpostcards.html

Do you want to swap your postcard? Cyber Fibre Exhibition Postcards