Fabric Postcards

Fabric postcards are enjoying a contemporary revival. In the past postcards were printed on silk, embroidered and 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 of any technique using a multitude of fabrics using different techniques with items such as beads and found objects attached to them.

How to make fabric postcards

Fabric Postcards: Fabric Postcards by Kathie Briggs contains instructions on how to make a fabric postcard
Making fabric postcards: A step by step illustrated tutorial on creating a fiber postcard.
How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style: It is a highly amusing jaunty approach to a tutorial on making fabric postcards
Textile Postcards: Detailed instructions on how to make fabric postcards are provided by Arbee Designs in PDF format
Fabric Postcard Instructions: Fabric Postcard Instructions by Judy Stricklen is an inllustrated tutorial on how to make fabric postcards
Fabric Postcards - 4 x 6 Works of Art: An instructional article, which contains basic how to details provided by quilt bug

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)
Freezer Paper Appliqué: A clearly photographed illustrated, step by step instructions on how to use freezer paper to appliqué small shaped pieces of fabric to a foundation.
Foiling Fabric: Adding a metallic foil to fabric can turn a surface that is quite mundane into something special. This technique uses paper-backed fusible webbing to adhere the foil to fabric.
Stamping Fabric: A brief article on using applying stamps to textiles using easily obtained supplies and fabric paints and inks.
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.
Embossing Velvet: This article illustrates with photographs a popular technique to emboss velvet
Freezer Paper Stencil: A fully illustrated article on how to use freezer paper to create stencils which can be used with fabric paint
Lush, Embossed Velvet: Design your own unique fabrics with rubber stamps and an iron with Mary Benagh O' Neil of Threads Magazine
Leaf Printing: Leaf printing easy way to create a dramatic image or foundation for further embellishment. This is a fully illustrated article on how to do it.
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.
Embossing Velvet: An article on how to emboss velvet which includes a design for a project.
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.
Popcorn Fabric: Instructions on how to make popcorn fabric using a wire cake cooking rack or fencing wire and fusible knit interfacing
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
Tea Dyeing: Tea Dying FAQ a compilation of QUILTNET postings
Discharge Dyeing With Comet Gel: Directions on how to do discharge dyeing using a commercial cleaning product.
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

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.
Art 2 Mail: Art 2 Mail is a project the facilitates the exchange of mailable fabric postcards between participants.
Fiber PC: A Yahoo discussion list that makes and swaps fabric postcards.

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