I find that fabric postcards (the size of a postcard) and Artist Trading Cards (playing card size) are a fun and fast way to express your creativity. They’re great to trade and mail (and yes, you can mail the postcards) or you can frame them and hang them as art in your home.
You can make them as simple or as complex as you would like, but here are the basics to make any fiber art postcard.
Supply List Suggestions:
- Sewing machine
- Stabilizer: Each postcard needs a 4” x 6” piece or slightly larger if you want to trim after quilting. I like either Timtex or Fast2Fuse. If you are using Timtex you will probably also want to fusible web (such as Wonder Under). Fast2Fuse is slightly thinner than Timtex but is fusible on both sides. You can also use craft-weight Pelon, buckram, or heavy cotton duck fabric as your stabilizer.
- Fabric scissors, rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
- Fabric(s) for the front of your postcards. They can be whole cloth, pieced, appliquéd, etc.
- Plain light colored fabric for the back of your postcard. Heavy muslin is great.
- Fabric scraps, ribbons, yarns, fibers, feathers, sequin, paper scraps—any thing your machine can sew through.
- Thread(s) to match or complement your fabric. Bobbin(s) to match.
- Pigma Pens or permanent markers for writing on the postcards
Other Possible Supplies:
- Decorative threads (variegated, rayon, metallic, etc) and appropriate needles
- Netting and/or tulle
- Thin batting
- Rubber stamps and stamp pads
- Fabric markers
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 sandwiching two layers of fabric with batting. You can iron on appliqués or fabrics onto a 4 x 6 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.
Artist Trading Cards:
As their name indicates, ATC are collectables, a brilliant idea born of the older sports-themed trading cards. The dimensions of the ATC are 2.5” x 3.5” or 64 x 89 mm. Or as another source put it, “about” 2 and 1/2 by 3 and 1/2 inches, about business card size.
An ATC were originally designed to be exchanged and not sold, as the whole essence of these tiny works of art is about artists meeting (by correspondence or online if need be) and exchanging their works, thus meeting many artists and getting exposed to many personal styles.
Second, on the back of each ATC the artist writes part or all of the following information: name, contact information, title of the ATC and number (1/8, 2/8 … ) if it’s part of an edition. By definition, ATCs are made in limited numbers, often no more than one of a kind. Unique ATCs are called originals; sets of identical ATCs are called editions and are numbered; sets of ATCs that are based on one theme but that are different are called series. Don’t be intimidated by the concept of small editions or originals: very few people are anal about this. What most collectors really want are cards that were made with care. Based on that, numbers are meaningless.
Postcards:
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 Fast2Fuse 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.
Internet Sources:
sewfunpatterns.com
dollmakersjourney.com
cedarseed.com