Handmade Fabric Postcards

You can make fabric postcards either by hand or with the use of an ordinary sewing machine. You can create art and send these mini pieces of art in the mail, without an envelope. These postcards can be used as bookmarks, magnets or be framed for miniature wall art. Fabric postcards are mailed around the world using fabric scrapes and bits of trim. Even a club is organized on line for sending and receiving all kinds of postcards, including those that are handmade. There are also a variety of clubs on line that are dedicated to fabric postcards as an art form. Fabric postcards are great for any holiday by simply choosing an appropriate design.

A 4”x6” card will follow the dimensions and thickness restraints required by the United States Postal Service. Enjoy creating and using your fabric scraps, even quilted scraps can be used. Small fabric collages are made easily with the help of stabilizers and Lite Steam a Seam 2.

Supply List:

1. Plain, light colored fabric, muslin or fabric matching your theme
2. Fabric scraps
3. Sewing machine threads
4. Scissor or rotary cutter and mat
5. Timtex or Peltex  (stiff stabilizers sold in the fabric store near the interfacing)
6. Iron and ironing board and optional appliqué pressing sheet
7. Unlined index card (4” x 6”)
8. Lite Steam a Seam 2 (fusible webbing, which can be press into place with a finger  and it is repositionable)
9. Fine tipped permanent ink Black Micron Pigma pen (size .02 or .03)
10. Sewing machine

General Directions:

1)      Cut three pieces of the double-sided Steam a Seam using your rectangular index card as your template. Using that same index card cut one piece of stabilizer and 2 pieces of plain fabric. This will be the base on which you will design your fabric picture.

2)      Following the direction which came with your Steam a Seam, fuse the stabilizer to the back of one of the rectangles.

3)      Cut shapes from your fabrics and following the Steam a Seam direction, finger press the shapes onto the base and iron in place. Don’t forget to remove backing paper before ironing.

4)      Add top stitching or decorative stitches to your design.

5)      Fuse the second piece of Steam a Seam to the back of the card to the index card, covering the reverse side stitching (follow Steam a Seam directions for a hot iron).

6)      Fuse the 4” x 6” plain fabric over the index card (follow those same directions).

7)      Stitch all four edges of the postcard with a tight satin zigzag stitch…repeat this step several times creating a solid thread edge all the way around. The zigzag stitch gives the card a finished look sealing the edges of the card, so that it will not peel a part in the mail.

8)      The United States Postal Service requires you to write “Postcard” on the back. Using the Micron Pigma pen, write your message on the left side and your recipient’s address on the lower right half of the card, leaving room for self adhesive stamps above. The card must be hand cancelled at the post office and not put through the normal postal machines.

Simplified steps for the Steam a seam:

1)      Back to card

2)      Card to stabilizer

3)      Stabilizer to fabric

Your small piece of postal art will bring compliments from those who are lucky to receive it.

Some information and inspiration for this article were taken from “Quilted Postcards,” by Cheryl Haynes, Barbara Cooley and Beth Davis.