Fabric Postcards - Quilted Post Cards- Fabric Post Card Instructions

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Fabric Post Cards

Free Fabric Post Card Patterns All PDF files open with adobe reader

Flowers and Butterflies Free Fabric Post Card Pattern By Allison Ray

Silly Sun Free Fabric Postcard Pattern by Allison Ray

Resting Rose Free Fabric Applique Postcard Pattern by Allison Ray

Christmas Joy Paper Pieced Fabric Postcard Pattern, by Patti Anderson

Fall Postcard Exchange Information
The fall postcard exchange will begin in about a week. So far we have about 15 people but would always love to trade with more, so please jump right in and sign up for the exchange.

As the trade goes along, I will post the challenges/postcard exchange themes, trade information and cards made and received.

September Fabric Postcard Contest

September 2007 fabric postcard challenge is.....Back to School. Mail us your most creative back to school postcards. We will be awarding prizes for the following categories:
- No uniforms here...Most BLING fabric postcard
- Show us your school colors...Most colorful fabric postcard
- Skipping school?.... Fabric postcard mailed from the furthest away from Wylie,TX
- The kids have it!...Ray kids choice award- Favorite card of my three kiddo's

We have some really fun prizes including a postcard display tote bag, postcard fabric, postcard embellishments and other fun goodies!

Please mail to Allison Ray, 424 Kylie Lane, Wylie, TX 75098
Postcards must be postmarked September 1-30 2007. Postcards are not returned.

Fabric Post Cards Frequently Asked Questions:

What size are fabric post cards suppose to be?
4" X 6"

Do these actually go through the US Postal Service?
Yes. I like to take mine into the post office and have them hand cancelled (postmark stamp), however you can just mail them in a mail box and have them machine cancelled. Depending on the thickness of your postcard (beads & embellishments) you may be able to mail the postcard for postcard rates. Last time I mailed to USA the cost was .58- the post card was hand cancelled and was in a clear envelope (costs more makes your postcard first class instead of postcard rate). I have received cards mailed with and without the clear envelopes and so far so good.

If so how do you affix the postage?
I use the self-adhesive stamps and stick them right onto the back of my postcard in the upper right hand corner.

Doesn't the post card have to be stiff so it can be handled through the postal system?
Yes and No. You want to give your post card some stiffness so it will hold up in the mailing process. Try using fast 2 fuse or quilt batting. If you make your postcard too stiff (like card board that does not bend easily) where it cannot be machined, then you will be charged parcel rate to mail. I have made this mistake before and the postage was $1.12.

How do you address the postcard?
On the upper left side I write my name and return address (just in case I have not put enough postage or the person I am exchanging cards with has moved). Underneath you can write a message. On the top center I write or stamp the word post card and place the stamp(s) in the upper right corner. On the Right side of the postcard back I write the persons name and full address.

How do you make fabric postcards?
There are several different ways to make fabric post cards: You can quilt one with the traditional way that you would make a quilt by sandwitching two layers of fabric with batting. You can iron on appliques or fabrics onto a 4x6 piece of fast2fuse.

How should I finish the edges of my quilted postcard?
You can finish your post card with any method that works well with the theme of your art card.
-You might fold it over to the back and then fuse muslin fabric on the back to write on.
- Use a serger to finish off the edges.
-Couch the edges with strings/threads.
-Hand embroider the edges.
-Use a satin stitch or zig zag stitch on your sewing machine.
-Use binding tape.

What type of pen do your use to address the back of the postcard?
I like to use PIGMA pens. I have friends who use the permanent, fine point, Sharpies.

Do you have any creative ideas for ways to display or share the fabric postcards I have received?
- Make your post cards into refrigerator magnets- with peel and stick magnets.
-Frame or use box frames and hang up your quilted post cards.
-Make a fabric post card tote bag.
-Take photo's of your "artist-trading cards" and post them on your website or blog.
-Display them in a basket in your home or business for people to look at.

Do you know of any articles written about fabric postcards?
“Say it with Thread” by Maureen Egan, Designs in Machine Embroidery, Jan/Feb 2007, vol 42, pg 50

Product Review– Heat Bond Angelina Fibers, Patricia Bolton, Quilting Arts Magazine, Fall 2003, Issue 11, pg 11

“Making Tiny Quilts, Melody Johnson”, Quilting Arts Magazine, Fall 2003, Issue 11, pg 21

Cloth Paper Scissors Mazazine, March/April pg 17, Artist Trading Cards or Fiber Art Postcard

“Postcards with an Edge, Cate Prato”, Quilting Arts Magazine, Summer 2004 Issue 14

“I’ll Trade Ya!”, Quilting Arts Magazine, Winter 2004, Issue 16

“Painting with Wax Pastels by Holly Knott”, Quilting Arts Magazine, Summer 2005, Issue 18

Fabric post cards have to be one of the funnest things to make ever!!! They are like potato chips...you can't make just one.

I really can't decide what I enjoy more about the fabric postcards making them or receiving one. I absolutely treasure each and every fabric post card that I have received, they are all miniature work of fabric art. My son Drew calls them "Mom's Artist Cards" when he shows them off to his friends. I have a little tote bag that is made with clear pockets to show them off at the guild meetings. It is also fun to keep a little basket by the front door so our friends can flip through and see all the wonderfully creative people around the world.

Making postcard quilts has been an awesome experience. Since the postcards are only 4 X 6 you can try different textile arts techniques that you might not want to try on a full sized quilt. And best of all, you can make yourself up a little postcard project bag and take it with you anywhere to work on. They are great to keep your hands busy (Bonus...its easier for me to diet when I make postcards because they keep me too busy to eat).

My postcard to go bag that I keep in my car so I can sew on the run.

Quilting and Sewing Sayings for quilted post cards- incorporate them into your mini quilts to make one-of-a-kind art postcards to share.
I have collected lots of quilting and sewing sayings to write onto postcard quilts. If you have any note listed, please email them to me.

Funny Sayings for postcard quilts
- Stash Management Flunkie
- Varsity Quilting Ľ” Seams
- Sew Princess
- Plays nice with others except at fabric sales!
- Fabric Junkie
- I sent my daughter to college so I could store fabric in her room.
- You can have my fabric when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
- Some kids have college funds…my mom quilts.
- Quilters Rock
- Runs with scissors.
-Addicted to fabric and proud of it.
-Support Piecing.
- I only sew in days that end in Y.
- My stash is bigger than your stash!
- Quilting Forever- Housework whenever
- Lost: Husband, Child, Dog & Sewing Machine. Reward offered for sewing machine!
- Sew What?
- What happens at quilting retreats, stays at quilting retreats.
- My husband lets me buy all the fabric I can hide.
- My sewing machine is smarter than your honor student.
- Quilting Fills My Days..My closets, My trunk and My cabinets.
- Sew many patterns, sew little time.
- I’m Sew Happy!
- Quilters do it in the ditch.
- Quilting is in my blood.
- Creative mess is better than tidy idleness.
- A messy house is a sign of a happy quilter.
- Behind every quilter is a huge pile of fabric.
- Don’t needle the quilter.
- Compulsive Quilter.
- Hello, my name is Allison and I am a quiltaholic!
- I quilt better than I cook.
- She who dies with the most fabric wins.
- Will Work for Fabric!
- Don’cha wish your girlfriend could quilt like me?
- Quilters are HOT!
- Plays well with fabric.
- A fat quarter is NOT a body part.
- Quilting kicks butt.
- Warning- Vehicle stops at all fabric stores.
- You know you’ve had too much coffee when you can thread your sewing machine while its quilting.
-Got Quilts?
- Quilting every day keeps the voices away.
- Carpe Quiltem…seize the quilt
- Serial quilter…like mother like daughter.
- Sew- Ho
- Quilting Queen
- The perfect day…Quilt, Eat, Sleep, Repeat
- Will work for fat quarters.
- Have you hugged your machine today?
- Is quilting fast the same as aerobics?
- Itching to be stitching.

Nice Sayings for your Art Postcards
- May your days be "pieceful"
- Do not run with scissors
- As ye 'sew', so shall ye reap
- Days stitched with love rarely unravel
- When life gives you scraps, make a quilt
- A stitch in time saves nine
- Memories are sewn together by friends
- You keep me in stitches
- Don't snip it, if you can't stitch it.
- If you feel a little "down", stuff it in a quilt.
- "A warm quilt makes for a far happier life"
- "On a cold winter night when others are counting sheep to get to sleep you count quiltz"
- "A quilt a day keeps colds away"
- "Two in a quilt are warmer than one in a bed"
- Life is quiltisentially about being together
- May your days always MEASURE up.
- Make the SCRAPS in your life beautiful.
- SHEARS to you.
- Memories are stitched with love.
- Love is the thread that binds us.
- A family stitched together with love, seldom unravels.
- May your bobbin always be full!
- Two threads are better than one.
- As ye Sew, sew Shall Ye Rip. (sort of like the one you gave)
- A day hemmed in prayer seldom unravels.
- Blessed are the piecemakers, for they shall quilt forever!
- In the crazy quilt of life, I am glad you are in my block of friends.
- From my hands to your heart!
- The soul is fed with needle and thread.
- May your sorrows be patched and your joys quilted.
- Count your blessings, stitch them one by one.

Want to exchange fabric postcards?

Back of Post Card

Front of Post Card - this was for a contest at Art Card - Hand and Thread Painted Flowers

Little Yellow School Bus
Fabric Postcard
by Allison Ray