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How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style

DebR on Sep 26 2005 at 10:10 am | Filed under: How To..., Quilty Goodness

A few days ago, in comments, Elena said, “I’m so intrigued by the fabric postcards–can you shoot me an email about how you got started, maybe some resources if I was interested in doing something like that?”

Well, I started writing an email, but then decided it would be more fun to make a postcard and document the process with pictures, creating my own little photo lesson.

So if you always wanted to make a fabric postcard, but weren’t sure how to start, here’s one way. If you already know how, then just enjoy the pictures. Because y’all know I live to add captions and little arrows to my pictures. It’s a sickness.

Here are some of the things you need to get started:

You can find Peltex (or Timtex, pretty much the same thing) in the section of a fabric store where they sell interfacing and fusible web. It’s thicker than normal interfacing and has a lot of body. It kind of looks like thin quilt batting with a stiffy.

Wonder Under is the fusible web I used most often, but you could use any one you like. Except for Heat ‘n’ Bond. H ‘n’ B is evil****.

Many people use heavy paper (like watercolor paper) for the backs of their postcards and that works great - and is actually easier to write on! - but I just really like the idea of a postcard that’s all fabric, so that’s what I use on the back of mine.

Some things you’ll need that aren’t in the photo include an iron and ironing board, a sewing machine with a good sharp needle in it, and a pair of scissors.

Here are some optional items that can be fun to use, but aren’t strictly necessary:

You can, of course substitute a Shiraz, or a margarita, or even a latte for the Pinot. I’m not sure there’s any real substitute for the chocolate, but I understand some of you may be more into salty than sweet. In that case, nachos are good.

Oh yeah, and the beads, buttons, yarn, etc? Those are for surface embellishment if you’re so inclined. Just keep in mind that the folks at the post office say the postcard has to finish up to be 1/8″ thick or less. They even have a slot thingy where they check that! Seriously!

Ok,now that we’ve gathered our materials, let’s get started!

First, cut a piece of the Peltex to slightly larger than the finished size you want. We want to finish to 4″ x 6″, so I cut the Peltex about 4 1/4″ x 6 1/4″. Cut a piece of backing fabric (something plain-ish, because you’re going to write on this later!) to around 4 1/2″ x 6 1/2″. And cut two pieces of Wonder Under, exactly 4″ x 6″ each.

Iron one piece of WU to the Peltex and the other to the wrong side of your backing fabric:

Follow the directions for whatever type of fusible web you’re using, because they vary a bit, but if you’re using WU, you do this step with a dry iron on fairly high heat (wool setting). Here’s what it’ll look like when you’re done:

Now lay something down to protect your ironing board surface in case you get a little sloppy with the fusible web. Not that I, or any of you, would ever DO such a thing, of course. Ahem. But let’s be careful, shall we?

I use a largish piece of the release paper from some Wonder Under I used a while back, but if you don’t have that you can use a silicone pressing sheet or even an old flattened paper grocery sack.

Now to start constructing the front of the postcard - the pretty part! Yay!

You can make a little quiltlet to size and then fuse the whole thing onto the Peltex. But here’s a fun fast and dirty…er…I mean fast and easy way to make one that doesn’t involve any piecing or applique at all.

Find some larger chunks of fabrics in your scrap pile and lay them on the side of the Peltex that has the WU on it. (You need to remove the release paper from the WU before doing this.)

You can, of course use a single piece of fabric for the background, but why use one fabric when you can use four, I always say! Once you like how it looks, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to fuse the background fabric(s) to the Peltex. For WU, that means pressing for 10 seconds with lots of steam.

Now grab your little pile of leftover scraps. If you’ve already been doing some fusing, these should be scraps that already have WU (or other fusible web) attached to the wrong side. That’s easiest. But if you dont’ have any scraps or fabric pieces that have fusible web on them, you can lay some small pieces of fabric on the web side of some WU, use a pressing cloth (!!!) and fuse them and create some fusible scraps.

Then remove the release paper and just start cutting some shapes and placing them on your background until you like what you see. Play! This part is supposed to be fun!!

Once the front of your postcard looks done, stick a fork in it…oh, no, that’s chicken. Uh…oh yeah, now you fuse it, just like you did the background in the last step.

Then the next step is to quilt it. Keep in mind, at this point you’re quilting through just the front and the Peltex, with no backing. You can either keep it simple, with straight parallel lines, or a grid, doing just enough to hold everything in place, or you can drop your feed dogs and do swirling free-motion quilting until it begs for mercy.

The one thing I’ll mention about the quilting is that if you’re doing fused, raw edged designs I would make sure to choose a quilting design that puts at least a few stitches into every piece you fused down. You have to assume that if you mail the finished postcard to someone, it may go through some rough handling between your house and theirs and you don’t want frayed, dangly bits hanging off it when it arrives. Uh…unless you do want frayed dangly bits hanging off it when it arrives. Then, never mind.

If you want to embellish - buttons, beads, sequins, couched fibers, etc. - I do that after quilting, but before adding my backing fabric. That way you can hide your knots with your backing.

Here is my postcard, seen from the back, and my backing fabric, with WU attached, ready to fuse (as soon as I remove the release paper…it’s still attached in the photo).

Then you center the backing fabric on the back of the postcard, WU side down, and fuse it in place. :::::Ssssssteammmmm::::::

See? You can see the backing fabric sticking out around the edges:

Now you lay the whole thing on your cutting mat and trim away the extra stuff - front, Peltex, and backing - and square it up so that it’s exactly 4″ x 6″. Unless you are a rebel, in which case feel free to make it 3 7/8″ by 5 13/16″. Heh.

Almost done now…we’re on the home stretch!

Next step is to seal the edges somehow - partly for looks, partly for practicality so that the whole thing doesn’t start to peel apart in transit in case your fusing job doesn’t hold up to the tender mercies of the postal system.

You can use ‘most any sort of stitching around the edge as long as it holds the layers together, but I usually do a basic satin stitch. Here I’m about to stitch away:

Once you’ve sealed those edges with some sort of stitching, your postcard is nearly done!

The US postal service wants you to write “postcard” on the back. And if you’ve used fabric backing, you need to be sure to do your writing with a pen that’s both permanent and fabric-safe. I use a Pigma Micron.

Some people do this step on the computer, printing this stuff on their backing fabric before they attach it. Still others have lovely rubber stamps that say “postcard” and other official-looking things. Me? I’m a slob…I scribble. It still gets where it’s going.

Be sure to use a self-stick stamp and rub it firmly onto the fabric. But don’t try to iron it in place. We won’t discuss how I know that.

And here we have the finished postcard:

TaaaDaaaahhhh!! That wasn’t hard at all, was it?

And here’s a potential prize for those of you who made it all the way to the end of this loooooong post. If you’d like to own my “Fruit-A-Delic” postcard for your very own, and if you’ve never received one of my postcards before, either in a swap or as a surprise, pull up the comments and say “Show Me The Postcard!”. First person to say the magic words wins the card. (Be sure I know how to contact you, as I’ll need to get your snail mail addy in order to send it to you!)

Added: Since I still get an occasional comment or email saying “show me the postcard”, I figured I’d better amend this to say here that the postcard was claimed the very first day! Sorry, ya gotta make your own!

Th-th-th-that’s all, folks!

Added: I love getting comments, but PLEASE…if you have a comment or question that requires an answer, be SURE to include your email address for a reply. I can’t send an answer if your blogger ID is set to either “anonymous” or “no reply”. Thanks!

****Because so many people ask - I say H ‘n’ B is evil because it gums up the needle so quickly and frequently and shreds thread when you try to quilt through the postcard after using it.

132 Responses to “How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style”

  1. on 26 Sep 2005 at 11:16 am 1arlee

    Gee, now if i hadn’t already received the current swap one, i’d say “Show me the postcard” anyways!!! :} Love my piece of “Eyes of the Sun” !

    FABULOUS tutorial Deb, i’ll be pointing newbies here!

  2. on 26 Sep 2005 at 11:28 am 2Nikki

    Oooh! Me! Show me the postcard! Please!

    Great tutorial Deb!

    –Nikki
    gamrey@centurytel.net

  3. on 26 Sep 2005 at 11:52 am 3DebR

    We have a winner - Nikki gets it!

    Yay Nikki! :-)

  4. on 26 Sep 2005 at 12:42 pm 4Valeri

    Great tutorial Deb. Very professional! Way to go! I’ll be sending my students here! They’ll like the inclusion of the bottle and chocolate in the requirements list! Must remember that when I’m doing tricky things! LOL

  5. on 26 Sep 2005 at 1:56 pm 51blueshi1

    Oooh, I am FAMOUS! I always knew I would achieve FAME and FORTUNE in my own lifetime *snicker*snicker*snicker
    Thank you, Deb, for the fabulous show ‘n tell–and I highly recommend Beringer’s Pinot Grigio–yummy, yummy.

  6. on 26 Sep 2005 at 9:09 pm 6Becky

    Fantastic tutorial! O.k. everyone, make sure you don’t forget the chocolate!!!!

  7. on 27 Sep 2005 at 2:15 am 7Caitlin O'Connor

    oooh, great tutorail! I especially like the helpful arrows and comments… I’m off to make my VERY FIRST fiber postcard now….

  8. on 27 Sep 2005 at 8:47 am 8DebR

    Thanks for the nice comments, everybody! :-)
    Nikki, if you didn’t get my email, contact me with your snail mail addy, ok? If you did and just haven’t had time yet, then, never mind. ;-)

  9. on 28 Sep 2005 at 9:34 am 9Sonji Hunt

    What a fun tutorial. I love the John Maddenesque arrows.

  10. on 28 Sep 2005 at 11:16 am 10Deborah

    Excellente! This is very much like I’ve been doing mine, but with lots of new tips to consider. I guess I need to practice my satin stitch. any advice?

  11. on 28 Sep 2005 at 10:30 pm 11moonwitch

    What fun! Makes me want to start dabbling in fabric art. Guess I better stop dabbling in so many other things first! I would totally not be able to drive my sewing machine after a couple grinot pigios though…

    Great write up though - truly informative AND inspirational. Gotta love that combo!
    :) Sally Anne

  12. on 30 Sep 2005 at 8:17 am 12deborah

    I can’t wait until I have the time to sit down and go through these steps and actually turn out one of these little buggers. I hope substitutions are OK. I want a six-pack of Mikes Hard Lime-ade in place of the wine. Well, maybe two or three bottles or my postdcards will feature bloodstains.

  13. on 02 Oct 2005 at 12:54 am 13Micki

    Great Tutorial! I do my ATC’s in a similar manner. Only I substitute Seagrams Pineapple Coconut Calypso
    Coladas for the wine.

  14. on 02 Oct 2005 at 11:46 am 14Jenny Walton

    just the lesson i needed!

    hugs
    jenny

  15. on 10 Oct 2005 at 3:43 pm 15Inge Reinholdt

    Thanks for sharing.
    Its a good idea with a bottle of whine :o))

    Inge from Denmark
    See my postcard :
    http://www.123hjemmeside.dk/ingesol
    http://community.webshots.com/user/ingeshot

  16. on 10 Oct 2005 at 6:19 pm 16Anna Oberlander

    “Show me the postcard”

    Your instructions are great and I have looked at many.

    Anna Oberlander
    quiltescapes.anna@verizon.net

    Hope I won one of your cards to add to my ACS collection

  17. on 11 Oct 2005 at 6:53 am 17Janice Simpson

    I love the humor in your instructions….I’ve been making fabric post cards for a while now..never counted(hundreds???)I make mine different all the time but did pick up some ideas from your instructions.And wish I had been the first to say show me your card. janicesimpson@chartermi.net
    Thanks for sharing Janice

  18. on 11 Oct 2005 at 7:18 am 18dogquilter

    Wonderful tutorial!! You make it sound like such fun…maybe even I can make a fabric postcard…teaching should be just that wonderful combination of fact and humor…thanks for brightening my day!!

  19. on 18 Oct 2005 at 7:27 am 19Mary R.

    Great instructions. I, too, prefer the full fabric postcard.

    Suggestion: do you know that Fast-2-Fuse (double sided fusible Peltex) is cheaper in the long run than purchasing fusible and Peltex? I did the math and the cost is the same, plus you don’t have the labor of cutting/fusing. Fast-2-Fuse is the expensive stuff, there is another brand (Walmart/Hancock’s) which is about $5.99/yard. Can’t remember the name, though. Works great. It’s exactly 30″ wide, and you can get (5) 4×6″ post card bases per width.
    Thanks again,
    Mary R. :)

  20. on 23 Oct 2005 at 6:59 pm 20anitaf

    Thanks for the great instructions with pictures! I just made my first one. I did a ‘whole cloth’ rose printed fabric and then free motion with various colored threads. I’m not very happy with my satin binding though. What tips do you have to offer for getting a nice finish?

  21. on 25 Oct 2005 at 9:15 am 21DebR

    AnitaF, I would have emailed you an answer, but you have your settings at “no reply”. So I’ll hope you’ll check back here!

    Anytime anyone has a question, I hope you’ll either set your profile so I can reply, or include an email address in your comments!

    Anyway…

    My main advice for getting a good satin stitch on the edge is the old “how do I get to Carnegie Hall?” thing…Practice, practice, practice.

    Every machine is different, so what works best for mine won’t necessarily be the settings that work best for you. But FWIW, I set my stitch width to 2.0 and my length to 0.3, then I start in the middle of one side and stitch (relatively slowly) all the way to the very end of that side. Then I backstitch a few stiches, pivot the card with the needle down to turn the corner. Then I backstitch again so that I’m starting that side at the very corner and stitch along that side, repeating the whole process until I meet myself back where I started.

    I hope that helps!

  22. on 28 Oct 2005 at 4:23 pm 22Elle

    I am just reading this Deb, LOL!! Hilarious, and a great tutorial! Love the wine and chocolate. Always a quilting necessity!

  23. on 30 Oct 2005 at 7:19 pm 23Anonymous

    I just crawled out from under a rock and heard about these! I was looking for some good directions and someone sent me your site. Just what I was looking for!

    Btw, love your humor! :-)
    Thank you!!!!

  24. on 02 Nov 2005 at 3:21 am 24Dianne

    I can’t believe I found this!! Just what I needed to get me started…. it was a brilliant tutorial - a mixture of funny and informative.
    Thankyou very much!!

    Dianne McGrath
    Victoria, Australia

  25. on 02 Nov 2005 at 8:54 pm 25Anonymous

    This is awesome, I have been wanting to try this, now with the wine and chocolate I think I can do it. Keep up the great work!

    Karen in Boise

  26. on 02 Nov 2005 at 9:35 pm 26Anonymous

    You sound like a real fun gal. I love your blog and PC lesson. I heard about your blog on the web. If you think that fiber post cards are fun then you should join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FiberArtTraders/members We’re not just postcards anymore… try ATCs, trading pins, art dolls talismans, ink blots, fiber books. Hope to see yout there!
    Normajean, List Mom

  27. on 03 Nov 2005 at 12:39 pm 27Linda

    Deb, you are a riot!! I love your sense of humor. I got a link to here from a yahoo group I’m in. I don’t know which I liked best–the tutorial or the humor! Hey, do you know anything about cross-stitch envelopes? I’ve found patterns for the cross stitch, but not anything else like construction hints. Keep up the good work.

  28. on 03 Nov 2005 at 6:38 pm 28Anonymous

    Thank you Deb - I really enjoyed your tute - especially the great advice about the wine and chocolate.

    Alexis in Wangaratta, Australia

  29. on 04 Nov 2005 at 11:21 pm 29texas linda

    Thanks for the great tutorial, Deb!!! This is something I wish I had BEFORE I tried making fabric postcards!!!!! linda in texas

  30. on 14 Nov 2005 at 7:56 am 30ankie

    WOW what fun to read this tutorial, maybe i will make a postcardquilt once, but the fun i had reading was really good! especially the tekst on the photos!!!
    too bad this card alreay was send to some-one, otherwise i would have shouted !

    greetings, ankie, The Netherlands.

  31. on 15 Nov 2005 at 12:53 am 31Debbie from QuiltArt then Virginias site

    Hmmm, what great fun to read your tutorial. I can see how much fun you had dreaming it up and makeing it happen. I have been wondering how to get from mixed media postcards to fabric postcards maybe this has helped me. Thanks for the great writeup.

  32. on 18 Dec 2005 at 5:28 pm 32Wingsib

    wonderful Job, witht the lesson and post card…Great ideal and it will give me something to compete with my fathers colorful artistic postcards and be a monemto of myself. I’m going to use the scraps of frabics that I made family’s Christmas gifts from.

    p.s. add to a waiting list for a “Show Me The Postcard!”.
    drmillro@gmail.com

  33. on 25 Dec 2005 at 5:08 pm 33Sue Niven Australia

    thank you for your wonderful tutorial, i was just browsing when i came across your site. Love your quilts too. All the best
    Sue Niven

  34. on 28 Dec 2005 at 12:57 am 34Ann Eales

    Great tutorial,something I’ve always mwant to do now I have no choice lol
    Many thanks,
    Ann
    UK

  35. on 30 Dec 2005 at 11:29 am 35Anonymous

    HEY! mUCHAS GRACIAS especially from the last third of the swap people I’m about to inflict with my fabric postcards. The first third of the 24 I did just winging it….the funky versions, with quilt batting squeeging out the edges, etc. Now I’ll try the sensible approach and hope I don’t lose the whacky spontaneity of it.

    Thanks for taking the time to explain this, and I especially am taking to heart the Pinot Grigio and chocolate!

    Daiyu from Fidalgo Island

  36. on 30 Dec 2005 at 1:56 pm 36Anonymous

    show me the postcard

    as you can see I’m a day late and a dollar short, for the postcard give away, but I wanted you to know how fun you made these instructions! makes me want to go out and grab all the wunder under and peltex I can find and start making postcards. thanks

    Sherry
    stubby2@gctel.net

  37. on 03 Jan 2006 at 10:10 am 37Anonymous

    Thank goodness I found your website! My daughter and I seen a couple postcards in a quilt shop and really wanted to know how to make them. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this awesome project. Well, guess I am off to buy my supply of wonder under and peltex…..ta-ta for now. Gale
    cgodell@centurytel.net

  38. on 04 Jan 2006 at 11:47 am 38Monika in Toronto

    I teach fabric postcards and I have a suggestion to make about finishing the outside raw edges. I take a length of rat-tail cording (the satin cording that comes in many colors) and laying it along side the edge of the postcard, zigzag it into place. Then I decrease the stitch width and increase the stitch length and go over it again. No bearding threads!

  39. on 05 Jan 2006 at 10:09 am 39mox

    Do you think heat and bond is evil because you don’t think it works? I’m totally overwhelmed by all the interfacing and that stuff out there.

  40. on 05 Jan 2006 at 10:31 am 40DebR

    I say H ‘n’ B is evil because it is VERY heavy on the glue, so it’ll stick
    things like a charm but then when you go to quilt the piece or to finish the
    edges, it’ll gum up the sewing machine needle in a heartbeat, causing the
    thread to break so that you have to stop every few minutes and de-gum your
    needle and re-thread and start over. Very annoying!

    Perhaps I should say here that it’s been a few years since I used h ‘n’ b
    since I hated it so (and know lots of others people who sew who have said
    the same thing), so I suppose it’s possible they’ve changed their formula,
    but I’d have to hear lots of good reports before I’d even want to try it.

    If you want to try a project like this, ask at the store for “Wonder Under”
    or “Steam a Seam”. Those are the easiest readily-available fusibles out
    there, IMO.

  41. on 09 Jan 2006 at 2:06 am 41Maureen

    Thanks for the tutorial Deb.I don’t think I’ll wing it next time as I used off-cuts of batting instead of Timtex………..NOT a good idea.

  42. on 09 Jan 2006 at 11:11 am 42Michelle

    Wonderful tutorial….. I, too, wish that I had found your tutorial before I made my first one.

    Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

  43. on 12 Jan 2006 at 7:50 am 43Anonymous

    Deb, thanks so much for the tutorial! Besides being very educational, it also put a smile on my face!!! :o) Thanks!
    Mary Ann in Denmark

  44. on 12 Jan 2006 at 3:14 pm 44Sherri Kennedy

    Wonderful, love all the asides! You have a great sense of humor. I might even be able to make one of these now. Thanks
    Sherri in Topeka, Kansas

  45. on 14 Jan 2006 at 8:46 am 45pat winter

    I love your directions, especially the much needed chocolate step! Really a great tutorial. Thanks.
    Pat W. IN

  46. on 14 Jan 2006 at 1:02 pm 46Polly in TX

    Thanks for the “easy-to-do” instructions. NOW I feel like I can make one of these cute works of art and even mail them. You’ve given me incentive! Love all your cute comments! Thanks so much!

  47. on 14 Jan 2006 at 8:44 pm 47Anonymous

    Great instructions! And fun! I’m going to make some to send my Christmas thankyou’s. I was searching for something clever to do. Thanks ~ GrandmaBlueJay

  48. on 17 Jan 2006 at 12:11 pm 48sally

    Deb…thanks for the great instructions…..my question is…I am a beader,not a sewer! I am totally intimidated by a sewing machine (lol) can these be made either by hand sewing or fusing the material together rather than using a sewing machine?
    Sally

  49. on 17 Jan 2006 at 12:42 pm 49DebR

    Sally, if you fuse you need to add some sort of stitching because the fusible won’t always hold up to extensive handling. You *could* do that stitching by hand, but be aware it’ll be a little rough going through the thickness and stiffness of fused fabric and peltex! Use a good thimble! :-)

  50. on 22 Jan 2006 at 8:05 pm 50Anonymous

    Laurel: Show me the postcard!

    Loved your tutorial Deb. You have a great flair for colour - and a terrific humour in your approach.

    Need more chocolate.

    Thanks v. much

  51. on 30 Jan 2006 at 1:39 pm 51Linda

    O.K. - so I’m a little behind, it’s only four months since you wrote these PC instructions but I loved them and wanted you know:-)

    Linda

  52. on 04 Feb 2006 at 12:22 am 52Ann

    Thanks for your generous lesson and laughs.

  53. on 05 Feb 2006 at 5:50 pm 53Cat

    Just got the link to learn your great lesson on postcards, and I loved it. Loved laughing and learning at the same time. I know it is way to late to “show me the postcard” but I’m collectincat@snet.net and would enjoy any newletter type thing you might decide to send out. Gonna put your blog in my bookmarks, too!!!

  54. on 07 Feb 2006 at 1:45 pm 54LeAnna

    Show me the postcard!

    Looks like fun, a nice project for beginner sewers, hope to do them with my 4-Hers tomorrow.
    Thanks,
    gotmilk@lewiscounty.com

  55. on 09 Feb 2006 at 12:08 pm 55Oscar DeMaria

    This blog posting is great. Your views are very true. Everyone should start thinking as you are doing.

    Oscar DeMaria
    http://www.printingpostcardmadez.com

  56. on 17 Feb 2006 at 4:44 pm 56MoonlightingQuilts

    DebR,

    Wonderful! Just the information (and humor) I needed to get started on my own postcard. Thanks so much.

    Cyndi

  57. on 18 Feb 2006 at 3:50 pm 57anner

    I don’t think I’m physically able to quilt w/o CHOCOLATE!!! I definitely don’t want to risk it either - wouldn’t dare offend the Quilting-Goddesses! Although I have to wait for Margarita time (yum!) until after I’m done working with a sharp moving needle and portable round razor blade - no need to know about how I found that out - ouch!
    Your blog kills me!!! Keep it up! :-D anner
    annerquilts@aol.com

  58. on 21 Feb 2006 at 6:27 pm 58Margaret

    Thanks for a great tutorial. Wish other instructions were as clear as yours. Even I could follow O.K. Margaret
    hbmargaret@dodo.com.au

  59. on 26 Feb 2006 at 9:22 pm 59bj

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I have all kinds of wonderful artistic ideas running around in my quilting head but have been unable to turn them into the works of art I imagine. You just helped launch my quilting art future. Take credit where credit is due! Postcards are just the right size for me to practice the techniques I want to start using. You’re my new hero Deb.

  60. on 27 Feb 2006 at 8:58 am 60Linda Teddlie Minton

    Deb … the best instructional blogs are FUNNY instructional blogs … and you are the Queen of Funny Instructional Blogs! Thanks!

  61. on 27 Feb 2006 at 2:51 pm 61Anonymous

    Deb thank you sew much for taking the time and energy to post such a wonderful tutorial on how to do a fabric postcard. I am sitting here laughing out loud about all your funny little extra comments. Such wonderful information and also very entertaining as well.

  62. on 01 Mar 2006 at 12:19 pm 62Laura in DC

    Hey there!

    I’ve recently been introduced to interfacing and I think I might send all my college friends postcards! thank you for the great instructions!

  63. on 01 Mar 2006 at 3:36 pm 63Anonymous

    Deb—
    Thanks the instructions are great very helpful. Now I have all kinds of ideas floating in my head and yes I would love your card.
    margie urrabazo
    4510 mcdermed dr.
    houston,tx77035
    urrabazomargie@houston.rr.com

  64. on 05 Mar 2006 at 1:34 am 64Anonymous

    Thank you Deb,
    The tutorial was great now off to find supplies in Australia! things are a bit hard to find over here as they often have different names. Good old Spotlight should have it or something similar.

    Karen,Victoria, Australia.

  65. on 05 Mar 2006 at 9:51 am 65Anonymous

    I loved this project and your instructions and pictures were wonderfully entertaining - I think I can follow them and have a postcard sent out to friends and family but - now - how do I get one of you postcards?

    Shirlene Renshaw
    1417 Alamance Church Road
    Greensboro, NC 27406

  66. on 06 Mar 2006 at 1:14 pm 66Laura

    DEB I love your tutorial! Thanks for sharing your expertise and humor. I’m taking part in a postcard swap and have put a link to this tutorial in my blog post today. Thanks for all the helpful info. :)

  67. on 19 Mar 2006 at 5:29 pm 67Joan S

    I’m finding this waaaay too late to say “show me the postcard” - but better late than never. It’s a great tutorial. I always do better with “visual aids.” I’ve never made one of these and found your URL in a RCTQ posting. Haven’t bothered to look for instructions elsewhere!

    Joan

  68. on 20 Mar 2006 at 9:03 am 68susan

    wowsers. I have dyed up tons of fabric for years and as a novice sewer, i think NOW after these fabulous instructions can make a postcard. thank you!
    so much!
    p.s. i love the arrows. they are helpful.
    –susan

  69. on 09 Apr 2006 at 9:56 am 69jandofabrics

    HI,

    This is very creative and I am impressed on how unique this post card is. I am going to let my customers know about your creative ideas and my showcase your ideas on our website http://www.jandofabrics.com/

    Keep up the good work,
    Ryan
    J & O Fabrics

  70. on 07 May 2006 at 11:12 am 70Lynda

    These are the easiest instructions I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much for making it easy to figure out how to do this.!! And, although Pinot is a nice selection, I prefer a good Zinfandel, but it is all the same, huh? Chocolates always help too!
    Thanks for sharing beautiful cards!!
    Lynda in Virginia

  71. on 15 May 2006 at 2:50 pm 71Anonymous

    Thanks for your great instructions.

    Jackie in Reno

  72. on 22 May 2006 at 12:57 am 72Barb

    Great tutorial–thank you! This may be way old news to you, but just in case…
    have you tried Steam-a-Seam? It’s like WU but finger pressable and repositionable until it’s finally set with the iron. Peltex is also under the name Timtex (I think that’s the correct spelling). I thought it was Timpex and my teacher thought I said Tampax…it was lovely. Anyway. Also, have you tried tiny pieces set under netting? You can get lots of detail that way. See the book Free-Style Quilts by Susan Carlson.
    Barb at woofnanny.blogspot.com or barbian7@yahoo.com

  73. on 26 May 2006 at 11:26 am 73Shelina

    I know you posted this a while ago, but I just saw it now. I’m apparently one of the people who try to make something first, then look for the instructions. I just finished my first one. I was using batting scraps and fabric scraps and temporary spray adhesive, since I haven’t gotten the fusible web and timtex. This was a great funny tutorial, and I will be definitely using these ideas.

  74. on 30 May 2006 at 9:56 am 74aykayem

    Hi Deb,
    I found this the other day (the link was on another blog … now it is on mine too ;-) A textile group I am in is having a fabric postcard challenge … and now I am inspired to join in (now I just need one last vital ingredient - spare time!) … but I won’t be using H+B or wonder under … I have this little “tin” of powder that Mum gave me for a present several years ago (for some strange reason it is called “Bond 007″… he he he … I have seen similar stuff for sale more recently, just called “bonding powder”) and I guess it is a powdered version of the glue stuff that is on stuff like wonder under … I like using if for fusing stuff because I can shake on as little as possible but just enough to hold whatever I want to hold in place until I have sewn it …
    (but one does need to use a teflon ironing sheet (or some left over paper from some wonder under or similar) to protect the iron/etc … seeing it doesn’t have any of it’s own paper there … not sure if a paper bag/etc would work though - the stuff would probably stick to it?
    oh … and I am not using peltex or timtex either (even though we do have timtex over here) I have a largeish sheet of something slightly thinner (and cheaper) than timtex - called “stiff as a board” - that I bought to use for making fabric bowls (I made one or 2 of those, then I kind of got busy doing other things …)
    - Andrea,
    disorganised in Dunlop
    (a suburb of Canberra, Australia)

  75. on 15 Jun 2006 at 10:29 am 75Gloria

    wonderful so enjoyed the postcard blog and your directions are easy to understand. The finihsed product is outstanding and LOOKS so simple. The sign of a true professional!!!! making things appear easy. gloria

  76. on 22 Jun 2006 at 2:32 pm 76Joyce

    Dello Hebr,
    Mank you toe much for the ineat grastructions. They are mimply sarvelous. My wavorite, of course, was the fine. No mocolate for che, I am diabetic, so I had wore mine.
    teepy by sime now…I go night night
    joycehargrove@msn.com
    PS I LOVE YOUR BLOGS, ETC.

  77. on 23 Jun 2006 at 2:54 am 77Ribbonwiz

    A friend put me onto your blog..
    I love your tutorial! Thanks for sharing your expertise and humor.
    Always wondered how they were made…and your way..wine and chocolates makes it all the more fun..

  78. on 28 Jun 2006 at 1:40 pm 78lburroughs@comcast.net

    I have been making postcards for awhile using fusibles, peltex and batting. I’ve mailed mine across the counrty with luck but am curious how beads affect the thickness. Two postoffices have said that everything goes thru a machine now and that nothing is hand cancelled. Laura

  79. on 10 Jul 2006 at 3:24 pm 79Cheryl Dale-Hodges

    Hi,
    I am in a fiber postcard swap group that had its origins in the Virginia Consortium of Quilters. I received the addy for this “lesson”, checked it out, and have forwarded it to all our members. Needless to say, it’ll also be sent to all the newbies when they join our group!
    BTW, all of ours cards get hand cancelled. Truly! We carry them down to the Post Office and request it. I’ve even watched my cards as they are cancelled! The postal workers like to do this because they think it’s a treat to see the art work. There is even one lady at my PO who asks every time I go in…did you bring any pretty postcards today?
    See, you never really realize how many people get a smile from seeing your postcards!
    Cheryl
    meryhart@yahoo.com

  80. on 14 Jul 2006 at 12:37 pm 80Sioux

    Wow, Deb, this is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you SO MUCH!!

    (((HUGS)))

  81. on 27 Jul 2006 at 10:06 am 81Laura

    Can you stand one more thank you for the wonderful directions on making a quilted postcard? Thank you whole lots!

  82. on 02 Aug 2006 at 3:54 pm 82My Brain on Quilts

    Excellent tutorial! I am curious why you say Heat n’ Bond is evil?

  83. on 05 Aug 2006 at 10:32 am 83tweety

    Great tutorial! Thanks!

  84. on 07 Aug 2006 at 10:38 am 84doris

    I love your tutorial. Would you have any ideas how to make a fabric envelope?

    Thanks for all the great help.
    doris

  85. on 16 Aug 2006 at 8:14 pm 85birdinhand6@cs.com

    Your instructions are a stitch! The wine was soooo good and as soon as figure out how to get the fabrics “un-bonded” from the bottle I will wipe the chocolate smudges off the fabrics and proceed to whip up a few cards. Thank you for the entertaining manner in which you have shared your expertise!

  86. on 02 Sep 2006 at 10:55 am 86tina's space

    Deb,
    I really enjoyed reading your instructions; it makes entertaining reading. I might just try this; when I get a sewing machine that is!!! LOL
    Tina
    http://tinas-space.blogspot.com

  87. on 22 Sep 2006 at 3:27 am 87sewnut

    Thanks so much for the no fear lesson! My kind of supply list….

  88. on 14 Oct 2006 at 1:45 pm 88Anonymous

    At our last meeting we had a demo of fabric cards. I was a bit sceptical on how to do but you have a marvelous way of showing how. Thank you I am off to buy some tintex and try.I will put you in my favorites.

  89. on 17 Oct 2006 at 9:40 am 89Kate

    Thanks for the tutorial, Deb. I’ve never done a fabric postcard before, but your instructions make it look easy.
    Now, as soon as my toddler falls asleep, I’m going to give postcards a try!
    Have a great day,
    ~Kate

  90. on 22 Oct 2006 at 11:16 pm 90Anonymous

    Thank you for this tutorial. I was afraid to try this, but gave it a shot tonight. I made an easy fall postcard with 2 maple leaves, 3 oak leaves and 3 acorns. It was so easy following your directions! I may do some Christmas cards like this for the upcoming season. Thanks again!
    Brenda in WI

  91. on 23 Oct 2006 at 8:28 am 91Anonymous

    Thank you for a wonderful tutorial. How would these instructions change if one wanted to use watercolor paper on the back? Do I still need the wonder under and the peltex or can I just sew the fabric to the paper?
    thanks,
    Anu
    p.s.
    my email is anu_68@yahoo.com

  92. on 06 Nov 2006 at 10:35 am 92Sonja Nelson

    Thanks Deb for this wonderful tutorial. I’ve added your link to a beginner postcard group so they can see how easy, yet wonderful they really are.

  93. on 14 Nov 2006 at 8:44 pm 93loraine

    Enjoyable tutorial. I won’t be doing one but I know how now :-) Love the “additional items.”

  94. on 17 Nov 2006 at 1:16 pm 94Nutmeg

    I love those! I’ll have to try making some this spring. Thanks for the inspiration! I’ll have to drive over to Napa to pick up some good wine ;)
    Meg
    www.materialmama.com

  95. on 17 Dec 2006 at 12:48 pm 95Barbara

    Sincerest thanks for the lesson. I can’t wait to get started.

  96. on 04 Jan 2007 at 7:35 am 96Pat in Virginia

    Thanks for the informative and FUN lesson on making post cards. I’ve been wanting to try that art/craft, and the Valentines for Servicemembers is the perfect time to start. (Your lesson was linked to Karey’s message.)
    TTFN, PAT

  97. on 04 Jan 2007 at 10:45 am 97Gigi from Pearland, Texas

    Great instructions an pictures with lots of ideas. Going to give it a try. Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio, chocolate and Strawberry Margaritas are all a must.

    Thank you,

    Gigi

  98. on 06 Jan 2007 at 6:33 am 98Pamela Stinson

    Have always wanted to know how to make the fabric
    postcards and lo and behold there were your directions
    in a link from another newsletter. What great timing. I was
    reading them at 4:30 AM but could still understand the instructions, Got a good laugh too! The chocolate is a big
    necessity but I’ll take mine with a good cup of tea
    (whatever floats your boat). Thanks again, loved the
    arrows and your wonderful wit!
    Pam

  99. on 07 Jan 2007 at 4:01 pm 99Barb

    Hi Deb,
    AS I sit here eating my dark chocolate covered almonds I have been reading about the Heart to Heart postcard project. A friend, who is a quilter, sent the website to me. It sounds like a wonderful idea but I am not a quilter. With your good directions I’m sure I can make something. I am a rubber stamper and make greeting cards all the time. Would a stamped postcard be sufficient or do you prefer all fabric cards?
    Thanks for your detailed instructions and witty comments. Now it’s time to get the wine.
    Barb

  100. on 08 Jan 2007 at 11:43 am 100Stephanie in So. Cal.

    Deb,
    I LOVE your tutorial - especially the pictures with captions and little arrows :o) (I do the same thing when writing instructions at work). I’ve always wanted to try fabric postcards but haven’t found any good instructions…until now. I’ve never really used fusibles much. I think Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse. I’ll be sure to have a bottle of Pinot Grigio handy. Don’t forget inspirational music to spark creativity. My 4 year old singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is my favorite.

    Thanks,
    Stephanie

  101. on 14 Jan 2007 at 9:25 am 101Susan O. Schaller

    Trying to find your website address, so I can refer our art quilt group to it, as we are going to do the postcards. I got on thru Carly Mul’s links and “Heart To Heart” . If you could send me your website, I would greatly appreciate it! We are to be doing the postcards next Sun., the 21st . I tried Googling your “Red Shoe Ramblings” , but that didn’t go through. Your explanation was excellent and would be of great help to them all!!! Susan Schaller

  102. on 15 Jan 2007 at 6:29 am 102Olga Proniewski

    Great sense of humour !! may be you should open a show of the postcard with
    - the one before a glass of wine
    - the one after the 1st glass
    - the one after the second glass… etc..etc…
    to see what happened, and to see if creativity and “madness” in colors increase or decrease..

    Interesting study (not encouraging drinking anyhow… as everybody knows that drinking too much is bad for your health).
    Congratulations for the tutorial, it isso clear !!

  103. on 16 Jan 2007 at 6:19 pm 103Diane

    Great one. I would definitely include the pinto Grigio though. Wine is good for the heart. We are doing the Valentine postcards for vets and this was where we were directed. I love your humor.

  104. on 17 Jan 2007 at 11:40 pm 104Marilyn

    Hi,
    I appreciated your humor. I have been wondering about postcards and now I think that I will be able to make one. Thank You Marilyn

  105. on 19 Jan 2007 at 10:43 am 105Lydia

    Thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial! Also here via a Valentine Cards for Vets link.

  106. on 20 Jan 2007 at 5:02 pm 106Pauline

    Thank you for the instructions, they are brilliant.

    I’m now going to tell my friends here in England how it’s done.
    My Heart 2 Heart postcard will go with fond wishes to the vets.

    Pauline from Essex, England GB

  107. on 20 Jan 2007 at 5:33 pm 107Pauline

    Forgot to say your site is great and I’ll recommend it to my friends.
    Thanks again Pauline GB

  108. on 21 Jan 2007 at 12:13 am 108Joy

    I read the fabric postcard post Dated Sept. 2005 (cards for soldiers) are they still be collected and delivered?

  109. on 21 Jan 2007 at 12:06 pm 109Mary Beth

    Thanks so very much for taking the time to
    document how to make a fabric postcard. How
    inspring and very nice of you …
    Kudo’s to you! :) Will send your url to my
    Quilt Pals.

  110. on 21 Jan 2007 at 7:03 pm 110Jenelle

    I too came to this site because of the Heart 2 Heart cards for soldiers. If anyone is interested here is the web site for more information.

    http://home.att.net/~kareyb/Heart2HeartProject.html

    I have a couple started already, but I’m sure many people have completed their by now. I just found that web site and this one today. Thanks for all the great instructions.
    Jenelle

  111. on 22 Jan 2007 at 5:07 pm 111Gretchen

    I have been wanting to make one of these for a LONG time. Finally got some clear instructions! Thanks soooo much!!!! Gretchen

  112. on 24 Jan 2007 at 1:30 pm 112Nancy

    I too came to this site because of the Heart 2 Heart cards for soldiers. After listening to the State of the Union message and the TV commentators’ stories about our war wounded, I am happy to know there is something personal I can do. Thanks for the great instructions.

  113. on 24 Jan 2007 at 10:09 pm 113Laura

    I found myself at this site through various links. I started at the QOV website - which linked me to the HAVE A HEART POSTCARD PROJECT - which sent me here to your instructions for making fabric postcards. And what great instructions they are too! Fun and informative! I”ve always wanted to make these postcards, but never found a reason to do it until now. Thank you for your creative tutorial! I’ve already sent a link to this page to several of my quilt buddies. I’m sure they’ll be stopping in for a visit too!

  114. on 27 Jan 2007 at 4:33 pm 114Ellen

    I got here from whipup.net -> have a heart postcard project. Imagine my surprise to find Red Shoe Ramblings; I’ve been here before for Self Portrait Challenge, haven’t I? Loved the tutorial! I might actually do this someday soon, even though my sewing machine and I are like good friends who haven’t really gotten together in two years.

  115. on 28 Jan 2007 at 1:58 pm 115Pat Kalousek

    Hey Deb,

    Thanks so much for sharing your creative genius with us! I love the way you teach and the fabulous creations you make. Are you considering doing more tutorials on line?

    Thanks for sharing!!!!

    PKk

  116. on 05 Feb 2007 at 12:33 am 116Suzi

    thanks for your generous sharing…since I received
    your hilarious instructions I have made quite a few
    cards…I knew there was a reason to save all those
    bits of fabric under 1″ square…waste not, want not.

  117. on 24 Feb 2007 at 1:35 pm 117Sarah

    Ive only just discovered fabric postcards. Ive made one or two and am totally hooked. Your instructions were great! Off to my workroom to create some more. thanks
    Sarah

  118. on 07 Mar 2007 at 1:21 pm 118Sinikka

    Hi, Deb!
    Very beautiful card! I have done some too…. These instructions are very good and a little humor is amusing. Books and chokolate is very useful things with sewing…

    Greetings from Finland!
    Sinikka

  119. on 15 Mar 2007 at 10:15 pm 119Colleen Carr

    I loved finding this site and your great instructions on making a fabric postcard. I’ve been making some since October. 2006 and they are addictive. So far I have only used card stock for my backing. I will definately try your version. It was fun also reading everyones comments. You sound like a very fun, uplifting person. What other projects are you into? I am a soft doll maker and really into quilting since 2003. Thankyou for the inspiration and have a good day/evening from Colleen, Akron, Ohio.

  120. on 16 Mar 2007 at 1:06 pm 120Pam

    Hi Deb,

    I totally loved your instructions! I will be forwarding to all of my quilters. I am going to put your blog on mine for my friends to find you also. I look forward to exploring your blog. Stop by mine and leave a comment!

    Pam

  121. on 18 Mar 2007 at 10:03 pm 121Shelley

    loved the instructions. I’ve read about fabric postcards but no one ever tells you how to do them. Over here in Australia, Wonder Under is called Vliesofix and instead of Peltex, Stiff as a Board is perfect for post cards. Can’t wait to try a card now I know how to do them. Hope mine turn out as good as yours! ( Our sewing machines are the same, so maybe I have a little hope??) Keep up the good work, and thankyou

  122. on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:24 pm 122Joy

    Thanks for sharing your tutorial for the fabric postcards. You made it so easy to follow with the great photos to go along with the step by step instructions.
    I will make my first one tomorrow. Hope it turns out as nice
    as yours. Thanks

  123. on 09 Apr 2007 at 12:08 am 123Nessie-Nu-Nu

    GuEsS iLL b ThE lAsT OnE 2 sAy
    ” SHOW ME THE POSTCARD”
    hAhAhA LoL
    BiBi

  124. on 09 Apr 2007 at 12:11 am 124Nessie-Nu-Nu

    4 gOt 2 sAy
    ” tHaT wAs ThE bEsT pOsTcArD i HaV eVa SeEn”
    BiBi

  125. on 26 Apr 2007 at 11:17 am 125Margaret Scheers

    Hi,
    Love this tutorial.
    Margaret

  126. on 26 Apr 2007 at 2:25 pm 126Kris

    Deb,
    That was a delightful tutorial….you really know how to make it fun and interesting at the same time. I have heard
    about these postcards, but have never attempted one. Now I think that I can….I have sooooo many fabric scraps and what a good way to use them.

    Kris
    Syracuse, Utah

  127. on 29 Apr 2007 at 8:42 pm 127robin goldberg

    hi, what an amazing tutorial, and project, and postcard. I feel so lucky to have happened on to your site. many thanks, robin

  128. on 17 Sep 2007 at 4:37 pm 128Tigg

    Great instructions. Now if only I had space to do that. Yeah, one of these days I’ll get the flat in shape and not be so cluttered (Mom is threatening to come help me).

    Hugs!
    Tigg (from the Baseball swap and from RCTQ occasionally)
    rowanmichaels@cebridge.net

  129. on 25 Sep 2007 at 8:01 am 129Robyn

    Hi, this site is a link that one of the members of the Craft Magazines online forum has put in for those of us who haven’t done postcards before, so we can participate in swaps. What a great site!! :) , especially as I’m one who does it better if I can see it rather than reading about it. Can’t wait to sign up for the swap and start creating. Much thanks.

  130. on 30 Jan 2008 at 5:17 pm 130Winks « Fat Hippy

    […] get off my ass and finally make those quilted postcards I’ve wanted to try. I’ll use these two tutorials as guides and this list as […]

  131. on 01 Apr 2008 at 5:48 pm 131Ann E. Ruthsdottir

    Thanks for all the help. I’ve already purchased 10 yards of extra heavy heat-n-bond + 5 yards of lite heat-n-bond. I do NOT like it for quiltilng because it is too thick + goops up my needle. I thought I would use it for fabric postcards.

    Why to you call it evil. With this supply, I need to use it somewhere?

    ann

  132. on 29 May 2008 at 9:56 am 132Crafty Postcards / Quilting Gallery

    […] How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style […]