Fabric Postcards
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Fabric Postcards are quick and easy to make
Making fabric postcards is enjoying a revival. In the past cards were made of printed on silk which had been embroidered. These have since become collectors items.
Today however there is a new twist as people are making fabric postcards and mailing them to each other. Swapping them like you would Artists Trading Cards. They can be made using any fiber technique using a multitude of fabrics, which can be embellished with items such as beads and found objects.
They are a lot of fun to make and this site points to information on how to make, swap and enjoy fabric postcards
Today however there is a new twist as people are making fabric postcards and mailing them to each other. Swapping them like you would Artists Trading Cards. They can be made using any fiber technique using a multitude of fabrics, which can be embellished with items such as beads and found objects.
They are a lot of fun to make and this site points to information on how to make, swap and enjoy fabric postcards
Contents at a Glance
How to make fabric postcards
There are no hard and fast rules about making fabric postcards other than staying within the dimensions and thickness required to send it through the mail. The average size fabric postcard size is 4 inches by 6 inches and no thicker than 1/8 inch. Be prepared to pay additional postage if your fabric postcard is larger.
Although some people insist on posting their card, many people do not post their card unprotected.
When making a card my main tip would be to use a nonwoven heavy weight double sided fusible interfacing such as Pellon because it is so easy to work with. I have seen some tutorials that use glue but iron interfacing is far easier and causes less mess.
Although some people insist on posting their card, many people do not post their card unprotected.
When making a card my main tip would be to use a nonwoven heavy weight double sided fusible interfacing such as Pellon because it is so easy to work with. I have seen some tutorials that use glue but iron interfacing is far easier and causes less mess.
- Fabric Postcards by Kathie Briggs
- Kathie Briggs has written instructions on how to make a fabric postcard
- How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style
- A highly amusing jaunty approach to a tutorial on making fabric postcards
- Fabric Postcard Instructions
- Fabric Postcard Instructions by Judy Stricklen is an inllustrated tutorial on how to make fabric postcards
- How to Make a Fabric Postcard on About.com
- Is an Introduction to how to make a Fabric Postcard from Janet Wickell on About.com
- How to Make a Fabric Postcard from Needled Mom
- Needled Mom has written and clearly illustrated a tutorial on how to make and decorate a fabric post card
- How To Make a Fabric Postcard from Gift it Forward
- Instructions and some extra tips
- Make a 30-Minute Christmas Fabric Postcard from Christine Mann
- This Holiday fabric postcard project is fun and quick to make
- Fabric Postcard Instructions by Kathryn Hatter
- A set of basic instruction published on eHow
- Fabric Postcard tutorial
- This tutorial by Tuppence of Momfetti illustrates not only how to make the front of a card but also sew markings on the back of the card so you can use it.
- Hand Made Postcards using silk habotai by Debbie Babin
- This technique is slightly different as the card is quilted first then dyed.
How to make a fabric postcard
Penny Halgren demonstrates how to make a fabric postcard.
curated content from YouTube
Techniques
- Printing on fabric using Bubble Jet Set
- Judy Heim describes simply and clearly How to Print Photos and Other Art on Embroidery Fabrics Including Linen and Aida using Bubble Jet Set.
- Surface Application Recipes for Fibre Reactive Dyes
- Recipes for Procion or other Fibre Reactive Dyes is a useful article by Susan Druding on using cold water type dyes.
- Blueprints on fabric
- An article on the technique by Valerie Campbell-Harding hosted by the Embroiderers Guild (UK)
- Make your Mark use Markal Paintstiks
- Ruth Issett has provided instructions on using oil and wax crayons on fabric to create rich surfaces for embroidery. The article illustrates masking, rubbing and mark making techniques
- Precious Petals
- Pamela Watts describes a technique for combining fresh flowers with stitching by sandwiching them between bondaweb
- Monoprinting
- An article by Janice Hay on creating interesting patterns on fabric by embellishing a mono-printed foundation fabric.
- Lush, Embossed Velvet
- Design your own unique fabrics with rubber stamps and an iron with Mary Benagh O' Neil of Threads Magazine
- Paula Burch's All About Hand Dyeing
- A huge resource for hand dyers which includes information on different types of dyes, instructions for tee dyeing , Batik, immersion dyeing, Low water dyeing, and drip dyeing. Also on the site are book reviews, a gallery, and a forum.
- Folding, knotting and tying fabrics
- Folding, knotting and tying fabrics before dipping them into a dye bath is a technique used in many cultures to produce interesting patterned effects on fabric. This site from ProChemical give directions for a number of different folds, knots and tie patterns.
- Shaving Cream Dyeing
- Shaving Cream Dyeing With Dharma Fiber Reactive Mx Dyes is an instructional article on foam dying provided by Dharma
- Low Water Immersion Dyeing
- Clearly written instructions by Paula Burch on how to do Low Water immersion dyeing
- Fabric painting tips
- A concise collection of useful tips for beginners
Inspiration
- Fiberart For A Cause
- For anyone who is interested in fabric postcards don't forget Fiberart For A Cause which is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The site also hosts heaps of eye candy in the Gallery.
- Embroidered Envelopes
- Not quite fiber postcards but a dash of inspiration for cross stitchers nevertheless, as Lynn Nicoletti sells designs for Embroidered Envelopes
Groups and Swaps
People swap fabric postcards all over the globe. It's fun, interesting and a great way to see new fibre techniques and styles that you might not encounter in your everyday experience.
- Art 2 Mail
- Art 2 Mail is a project the facilitates the exchange of mailable fabric postcards between participants.
- Penny's Postcard Posse
- This project started in July 2006. Wanting to do something for troops in Iraq Penny decided to round up and send fabric postcards to soldiers abroad.Since the troops have come home the site is now a history of the project.
- Fabric Postcards on Stitchin Fingers
- This is a warm friendly group which always seems to have swaps on the go.
- 6x4 Lives
- 6x4 Lives is a fabric postcard challenge to use a fabric postcard as a visual journal exercise once a month. The postcard can be made using any textile technique and measure 6 x 4 inches.
Historical References
- All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go
- Novelty Cards of People in Silk and Embroidery by Liselotte Erlanger Glozer is a brief article on silk cards produced in the l9th century.
Patterns
- Back to School
- This pattern could easily be adapted to create a hand stitched postcard and is an ideal project to introduce children to stitching
Some reading on the topic
by sharon_b
sharon_b
A lifelong fascination for textiles and fiber arts both contemporary and historical has led me to explore forms of embellishment. My Stitch Dictionary... more »
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