To start the process I use Pellon 71F Peltex One-Sided Fusible Ultra Firm Stabilizer to make the postcards. I get mine at Joann's and wait till I have a coupon for 50% off or it is on sale for that price or better. I'll either cut the cards at 4" by 6" or 5" by 7" in size The top of the postcard is placed on the fusible side of the stabilizer so that I can get everything attached. Then I start adding the appliques or other embellishments. I always finish them by satin-stitching around the outside of the postcard in a complementary color.
I typically will use a striped fabric for the back side of the card so that I have lines to guide my writing. I use Wonder-Under to secure the fabric for the back side to the postcard.
Pics of some of the cards I've made and have at the moment, and a short description of what I used in each -
Onrmanents -A free coloring page was used to make the ornament shapes. Metallic rick-rack was used to trim the ornaments. Metallic thread was used for satin-stitching. And real ornament hooks were stitched on to the card.
Snowflake -
snow flake cut out of white Kona and then arranged on the postcard. Button hole stitching done with gold metallic thread. Decorative snowflake button sewn on by machine.
Cross-Stitch -
Mini cross-stitch piece centered on the card. Bordered on top and bottom by coordinating fabric. Orphan HST's were used on each side to complete the postcard.
Silk poinsettia flower pulled off the stem and all plastic removed. Leaves and petals arranged on top of the card. Secured with top stitching (with a straight stitch). E sized gold beads machine stitched on for the center of the flower. Petals trimmed as needed after the edges were satin-stitched.
Snowflake -
Starry fabric for the background was fused on first. Then using the satin stitch on my machine I carefully stitched an inexpensive, plastic snowflake ornament onto the front of the card.
Christmas fabric for the background, Small silk flowers stitched on by machine, small faceted rhinestone type jewels machine stitched on for the flower centers. Scrapbooking ribbon piece sewn on for the Christmas wishes.
Snowman -
Two circles of batting cut and appliqued on for the snowman. Machine stitched smile, 3/8" buttons machine sewn on for the eyes and buttons. Decorative santa hat stitched on , tip left unstitched in order to finish the card edges.
Trees -
Striped fabric for background, two sections of decorative Christmas ribbon (non-raveling, die-cut) stitched on, Scrap booking ribbon piece sewn on for the Christmas wishes.
Christmas trees -
The white is an inexpensive crocheted ornament that is stitched (zigzag stitch) onto the postcard. Ornament was already beaded.
Free-form green trees for the other two. 3/8" buttons machine stitched on one of them, and a fun Christmas trim of light bulbs used for the second. Again zigzag stitched on by machine.
So as you think about what you can do to make quilted postcards, don't think just about fabric. Look around you at the possibilities of ready made ornaments, trims in the Christmas dept of fabric stores, scrap-booking ribbons and trims, charms, jewelry, and just about anything. Old embroidered linens that have damaged sections could also be used to provide sections that are good enough for a postcard.
One thing to remember - if you're using 3-D trims, you may want to use a padded envelope to mail the card so that nothing is damaged.Have fun with them. And remember these are good to make for any holiday or season, or just because.
And a giveaway to help spark some ideas for you as you make some postcards for Christmas - I'll be giving away this assortment of trims, beads, lace motifs, buttons and silk leaves.
To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment on this blog post telling me what holiday or occasion you would be most likely to make quilted postcards for. If you are an anonymous blogger, then be sure to give an email address in your comment or I will have no way to contact you if I draw your name. The giveaway will close at Midnight CST on Tuesday, 7/22.
Gratitudes:
1. For so many fun things to work with
2. For having friends and family to send things like these postcards to.
47 comments:
These would brighten anyone's day! Clever designs!
Very pretty postcards. Yes, I am also thankful for family and friends to give gifts to that I have made.
Neat idea for making postcards!
Quilted pastcards - what a novel idea. I would love to try making some for Christmas!
What wonderful ideas! I just started making postcards this year and never thought of Christmas. I certainly will plan to make some for Christmas this year. I come from a large family so it might be nice to send them out for birthdays. Thanks! Janice.snell@gmail.com
Great postcards. You have some awesome designs.
Great idea - Christmas postcards. That's something I have not tried - yet. I'd be more apt to try to make Christmas postcards than for any other time of the year. I love your ideas. I hope you are enjoying your new home.
Moira, these are wonderful! What a great idea as a little "giftie" for someone - and a great way to use up scraps and leftover bits of glitz! Thanks for all your hard work....
I think I would make a postcard for birthdays or Valentine's day. Thanks
thanks for sharing to day. thanks for the inspiration. your postcards are wonderful. i have yet to make a post card. seems like this Christmas would be a great time to start.
quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net
I send 20 to 25 Christmas postcards. I also send other postcards to 10 grands, nieces and nephews. I use 4 x 6 index cards with batt and fabric on one side and add address to other side. These have to be at or less than 1/8th inch thick and I send first class. They go with adding to envelope.
I do quilt before gluing to index card and then serge around edge of card/fabric to secure.
Yours are definitely fancier than mine.
Yours look super.
I would make quilted postcards for Christmas. I just love your designs, especially the white poinsettia.
Wow, looks like you've had lots and lots of fun designing and bringing these postcards to life! They are all great, but I especially like the poinsettia. I think I would be apt to make postcards for surprise mailings, to send a little cheerful hello for friends and family!
I haven't made postcards but your Christmas ideas are inspiring.
Moira, I really love these cards. And the idea of sending them to friends and family. All of them are so pretty. I would make them for Birthdays and Christmas. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
I would make post cards for christmas but only for my quilty friends ,I know they would really enjoy them.
hjrogers@sympatico.ca
Thanks for the great ideas for quilted postcards. I made many postcards several years ago. It was fun and satisfying and the recipients loved them. I think it's time to make some more. Please don't count me in for the giveaway as I have more stuff than I can use at the moment.
Quilted post cards make wonderful Birthday cards and can be mailed. Another holiday would be Christmas.
What a fun idea!! Thanks for sharing so many different ones to spark creativity!! I love the poinsettia one. I will definitely try some for Christmas!
I think sending postcards as an encouragement is nice. No season, just thoughtfulness. A78mandel at yahoo dot com
Love your post cards and the detail info on what and how. I have been making these types of cards for several years. Got started by joining a swap. I have done birthday cake cards, Christmas and Halloween. Oh yeah, Easter too. I have used wool and redwork as well as fabric. Really enjoyed this stop.
You've got my creative juices rolling! The postcard idea is so sweet and definitely is something the receiver won't get duplicates of! I'd like to make them for birthdays and have a collection of them ready to go when a special friends is ready to celebrate. Thanks for the ideas! duchick at gmail dot com
Cute idea Moira! Thanks for the ideas and instructions
I enjoyed looking at your Christmas postcards. I am always looking for some new ideas. I enjoy making them too. I never thought to use silk flowers. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
I've made cards before, but it would be fun to make quilted cards for Christmas. So many options.
Those are lovely cards. and I can see the fusible Pellon would make them firm and give extra body.Lovely ideas to use decorations, the Poinsettia is my pick.But then the snowflakes are wonderful too.
I love making post cards. Quick and immediate satisfaction.
Those are super cute!
I love your postcards; what a great idea! If I were to make them, they'd probably be for birthdays or anniversaries, so I'd only have to make one at a time. Although I like the idea of using them for Christmas cards, there's no way I'd have the time for that.
I love your postcards! So darling. Such lucky recipients! I have made postcards for Thanksgiving, as I seem to have a little more time before the holidays and everyone loved them. I was flattered to find the one I sent my niece still tacked to her bulletin board in the kitchen when I visited this spring!
I have received a number of quilted postcards and LOVE them, but I've never made one to send. I think Christmas would be the most likely holiday for me to attempt this technique. Thanks for participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop (and for offering a giveaway, too!)
Valentines Day..it's always good to send love♡
Brithdays I think or christmas. ..great ideas ty for sharing.... happyness04431@yahoo.com
I send postcards for just about any reason but mostly birthdays. Jmikebalou(at) aol (dot) com
I haven't done many postcards, but they are fun to make. Our quilt guild did an exchange for Valentines and it was great to see so many members participate.
Definitely Christmas llamance@hotmail.com
I still send out paper cards at Christmas, these would add the extra-special touch to them!
We are indeed blessed to have friends and family and so many wonderful objects and fabrics to work with, Moira! I love making postcards - especially in my embroidery hoop! And for all seasons! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas!
These are so cute. I’d like to do some as Birthday cards also. brbetsy2@cox.net
I would most likely make some for Christmas! A member of my quilt guild has made a lot of these and some are hanging on a mini clothes-line in our quilting room.
barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
birthday cards
birthday I didn't see my first one come through.
Hi Moira, Love your postcard idea. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for all the great ideas for quilted postcards. I enjoy sending them to friends and love the new easy ideas.
Great looking postcards! Love the snowflake one. Thanks for sharing! As a retired Postmaster, I love this idea!! THank you for the giveaway as well.
I've never made a quilted postcard. Making them for Christmas would be fun.
kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com
What a wonderful idea to make postcards! They are so cute, and with the 3D effects I feel like it adds to it. Thank you for sharing and participating in the blog hop.
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