Say hello with a fabric postcard! Could there be a better way to show someone you care, than by sending them a miniature, one-of-a-kind piece of fiber art? These days our mailboxes are full of bills and endless junk mail. A handcrafted postcard is just the thing to bring a little unexpected cheer to someone's day. We are here to help you with our how-to instructions below. You can even buy a mini kit from our web store to get you started - it has all the pre-cut supplies you need to make 3 postcards!
Supplies needed:
Parchment paper to protect your iron and ironing surface
4x6 piece of double sided fusible Pellon 71F
4x6 piece of cardstock paper, white or light colored
Fabric scraps
Fusible web - we like paper backed Wonderunder
Frixxion pen or other disappearing marking pencil
Sewing machine + basic sewing supplies
IMPORTANT: Use a DRY iron for all fusing in this project.
Step 1: Using your double sided fusible, pre cut to 4x6, trace it onto the wrong side of your background or base fabric. The background or base fabric can be a single piece of fabric or a detailed patchwork design of your choosing or anything in between. Have some orphan blocks leftover from a class you took? Use it here! Cut out your 4x6 base fabric. See photos left and middle below. Then fuse the background to the 4x6 double sided fusible. IMPORTANT: the 4x6 has glue on both sides so you need to sandwich the fusible 4x6 and fabric between the parchment paper before you fuse. Press with HIGH heat & NO steam for 8-10 seconds. Let cool before you peel away from the parchment paper. See photo below, right.
Step 2: Embellish your base fabric. Use the fusible web to create additional detail on your postcard. The kit comes with a 4" strip. Some ideas: cut out objects you find in your fabrics, like flowers or bicycles. Cut out shapes from your fabrics: circle of yellow to make a sun, or letters to speak your mind. FIRST: Using MEDIUM heat & NO steam, iron the paper backed fusible web to the wrong side of your fabric 8-10 seconds. Hint: the rough side is the glue, and that should be touching the fabric. (See photo below, left) THEN use the Frixxion pen to draw directly on the right side of your fabric if needed. (See photo below, middle.) NEXT cut out your shape and peel off the paper. We find an applique scissor with a shorter blade and fine point helpful for cutting out more complex shapes with ease. (See photo below, right.)
Step 3: Fuse the embellishments to the background. Press for 8-10 seconds on high heat. Repeat Steps 2 & 3 as needed. See photo below.
Step 4: This is your chance to put some stitching through ALL your layers, and make the fused applique more secure. (optional) At this point, it starts to get a quilted look because of the thickness you are working with. You could try using thicker topstitch thread or fancy stitches from your machine for embellishments too.
Step 5: This is the point of no return, be sure you are all done with your applique and decorative stitching before completing Step 5. Fuse the 4x6 cardstock to the back of the 4x6 fusible, now you will not be able to add more decorative stitching.
Step 7: Edgestitch all the way around your postcard to secure all 3 layers together. This can be a simple straight stitch or a zigzag. We do recommend a longer stitch length for this part of the process. Done!
All that's left to do is for you to write a message and put the recipient's address on the card. We recommend that you put First Class Letter postage on your postcard (55 cents). It may not NEED all that postage, but since this postcard is heavier than most, it's a little insurance to make sure it reaches its destination.