I love making small pieces of fiber art to send to show I am thinking of a friend or celebrate an occasion — and flowers end up on a lot of my little pieces of art! Here is how I make my quilted postcards.
Key to the integrity of the quilted fabric postcard is Timtex or the really heavy fusible Pellon. That makes it easier to work with and get through the mail. If you choose to make them postcard size, you can mail just like a postcard. I also put them in envelopes so they arrive at their destination unmarked.:)
Here is our fabric postcard tutorial:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
How to Make Quilted Postcards
Quick and easy little pieces of art to make and give for special occasions or just to let people know you are thinking of them! Start with fusible TimTex, add a vase, flowers, stems and beads and you've got a great little gift for someone special in your life!
Materials
- Piece of TimTex or other heavy duty double sided fusible
- Light weight double sided fusible like Misty Fuse or Wonder Under
- Fabric pieces to fill background
- White or off-white fabric for back of postcard
- Bits and pieces of fabric with fusible already on the back
- Beads
- Beading thread
- Sewing thread, colors of your choice
Tools
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Sharp scissors
- Teflon-type pressing sheet, or parchment paper
- Sewing machine
- Beading needles
Instructions
Start by cutting the shape from your TimTex or heavy duty fusible. I cut these 4" x 6" which can go through the mail as a postcard. Double sided fusible TimTex comes sometimes with one side with paper on the back, or sometimes both sides fusible. If you have the TimTex with both sides fusible, use a Teflon sheet or parchment paper on your ironing board - or you'll end up fusing directly to your ironing board. (I've done that -- not fun).
Lay your background fabric(s) onto the fusible side that is up on your ironing board. Press according to directions. You don't need a real good fuse now, as you'll be pressing several more times. Just make sure that your background doesn't slip around. I cut the background slightly bigger than the fusible so that none of the glue gets on my iron. I trim down before the final step.
- Free hand cut vases out of fabric with a lightweight double sided fusible like Misty Fuse or Wonder Under already applied to the back. Place them on the background and press in place. I like to use either my Karen Buckley's Perfect scissors or Fiskars Micro-tip shears.
- Have fun cutting out small flower petals and stems from fabrics that already have the lightweight fusible on the back. This is great project while watching shows. Here is my pretty plate of parts!
- Start having fun arranging your flowers (with their stems) in and on your vases! Here I'm laying them out on my design table, but make sure to use the Teflon sheet (or parchment) on your ironing board when you are ready to press them in place. I like to 'batch make' my postcards so that I have extra ones to share when someone needs a little pick-me-up.
I like to add some beads for the centers of the flowers to add dimension and sparkle. - Then, turn the postcards over and press the white or off white fabric to the backs.
- Next, trim up the edges and sew with a decorative stitch or straight stitch to finish off the edges.
Write a special note on the back with a Micron pen or acrylic paint pen. Sharpies can run. 🙁 Mail your small piece of art to someone you're thinking about!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Pellon Wonder Under Fusible Web Heavy Duty, 15 by 3-Yard - 725PLKG , White
- C&T Publishing Timtex Interfacing Craft Pack 13 1/2 inch x 22 inch 1 Pack 20117 (2-Pack)
- 3 Pack PTFE Teflon Sheet for Heat Press Transfer Sheet Non Stick 16 x 20" Heat Transfer Paper Reusable Heat Resistant Craft Mat
- Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors, Medium 6-Inch Mirco Serrated Blades (1) (Original Version) (Standard)
- Fiskars 190500 RazorEdge Micro-Tip Easy Action Shears, 5 Inch, Orange and Gray
Quilted postcards with birdhouse, bird and flowers
I like to make a batch of stitched postcards at one time. Then I have a little pile to be able to send when an occasion arises. Here are some that I made with just the scraps of pre-fused fabrics I keep in a bin. When I have fused a fabric, and then cut out what I need, the leftovers — even really small pieces — are put in a bin for a future project. Fabric art postcards are the perfect use for these little bits.
For this design, I made 4″ x 6″ postcards with a bird house, bird on a limb and a few flowers. I started with the pale yellow background, and then ran out of that fabric and found the gray batik in the bin for the remainder sky fabrics.
When I was sewing the 1/4″ black line around the edge of the cards to form a border, I chain stitched them. I took them off my sewing machine and loved the way they formed a nice little book!
Here is a close up of one of the fiber art postcards:
Browse through more sewing projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.
See how to make an easy Christmas fabric postcard.