Friday, September 20, 2013

Simple Fabric Postcard revisited

   Surprise is a good element for parties and just about anything. Often one can excite people with the unexpected. One doesn't expect a thank-you note to arrive as a quilted postcard...or a mug rug. Whatever, I like them; and the US Postal System has not let me down.

Click photo to enlarge

     Type the word "postcard" in at the top left of this blog where you see a magnifying glass, an area next to the orange and white Blogger symbol. Many blog postcard postings will come up for you to scroll different ways of making fabric postcards. I often check back to see how to make them. I wanted to get these off fast. 

     Today I needed two on the topic of art. I took Seurat's pointillism, Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte to symbolize the gorgeous day and beautiful reunion luncheon many of us enjoyed on Thursday. Georges Seurat had other intentions. For me it stands for many paintings this group has supported as well as the lovely, perfect gathering.

      To make the postcard, cut front and back fabrics, as well as fleece, flannel or batting to 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Postcards are 4 x 6 inches and go at a postcard rate. I always put on a full- rate stamp, since I will take to the post office for hand-canceling. You need to write with a fabric marker. I used Fabrico. I have a "Postcard" stamp, but you can write out the word and should. Run over any ink with a dry iron to further set it.

       Put the front and back fabrics, right sides facing each other, the fleece on one side or the other to pin the three for sewing.  Leave a 2-inch opening on the side so that you can turn the postcard out after trimming corners. You will need to iron the postcard at this point and slip- or blind-stitch the opening closed. Sew or quilt around the card with a  1/4-inch stitch from the edge. In this case I also quilted a line down near the center from the word "Post Card." Quilt as much as you like keeping a thought to legibility. I read somewhere that mug rugs or fabric coasters are better with fleece interiors which is more absorbent. I used fleece this time along with invisible thread. Timtex makes a firmer card, but I like soft. Speed was important here. I hope they arrive in the morning.

7 comments:

  1. However you make them, Linda, I love your well-
    made quilted postcards. I especially love Seurat's Sunday Afternoon.....
    Lovely thank you notes!

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  2. These are just wonderful thank you notes. Certainly the artsy recipients will appreciate them! DJ

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  3. Beautiful postcards! I like the idea of turning them out instead of binding them.
    Thanks for sharing,

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  4. Eye-catching and totally appropriate fabric postcards! I know the recipients will love them. You inspire me to try to carve out a few minutes to make some of these myself--it's been far too long! It occurs to me, too, that the edges might be finished as I've finished two of my little 12"x12" quilt--with multiple rounds of zigzag stitches in different threads. But back to yours--such a nice twist on thank-you notes!

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  5. Lucky recipients and lucky I, because Linda: yesterday I found a card from you for me w a tea bad and note sewn together.It was in a pile of mail and papers from the summer when I was traveling.
    Anyhow thank you again and looking forward to a warm cup of tea in the dark hours of the coming season. Cheers anna

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  6. all i can say is that you have very lucky grandchildren. to have you as grandma must be the most exciting thing ever. love, judy

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  7. These postcards are treasures! How neat that you make them and "gift" them to special friends. :-)

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