Fabric Postcard Basics
The minimum card and letter size for a U.S. Postal Service mailing is 3-1/2x5 inches. Most fabric postcards made by quilters measure 4x6 inches and can be mailed using one self-adhesive first-class stamp. Keep your postcards 1/8-inch or less thick to stay within weight limits. Postcards more than 1/4-inch thick usually weigh more than the minimum and require an extra fee for the increased depth.
Fabric Postcard Supplies and Designs
Fabric postcards typically have a top decorative layer, a middle filler (somewhat like the batting in a quilt), and a backing.
Fabric Postcard Fillers
One popular filler choice is fast2fuse, which is a stiff material with fusible web on both sides. Use the regular weight of fast2fuse for postcards because the heavy version is thicker and will increase postage costs. Timtex is another rigid product that works as a filler. It does not include the fusible web—you’ll need to add it to the reverse sides of card fronts and backs. You can use flannel or a thin batting as a filler, but the postcards will not be as rigid. The fusible web on the backs of your other components will stiffen up the cards a bit, but probably not quite enough to allow easy flow through the postal system.
Fabric Postcard Designs
Try ribbons and buttons, laces and trims, or pictures printed on fabric. Explore scrapbooking supplies for design elements, such as the green and ivory leaves shown. Angelina fibers are another decorative option. Other fabric postcard supplies depend on the types of cards you make but include paper-backed fusible web, decorative machine threads, and polyester filament thread. Layer the postcard front with filler and backing (step 3) and fuse binding to its edges (step 7). You can also encircle the focal fabric with strips just like when you make log cabin quilt blocks. It involved Photoshop to manipulate the picture before adding the white text. The photo was at 300 dots per inch, sizing it to fill an area slightly larger than 4x6 inches.
Basic Supplies
Spool of clear, fine polyester threadAngelina fibers, available in many colors. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to manipulate the fibers.Piece of batik fabric that measures about 4-1/2x6-1/2 inchesBits of lace, yarns, and other materials you would like to use on the card’s front
Make the Postcard
Print the return address, the recipient’s name and address, and even your message on light fabric and cut the areas into rectangles or other shapes. Fuse or zigzag stitch the shapes to appropriate areas on the back of the card.Make a back that’s as decorative as the postcard front.Use printed backs for the cards. Download samples in PDF format.
You’ll need 5/8-inch strips of fabric if you like a 1/8-inch binding on the front of postcards. Use 1-inch strips if you prefer 1/4-inch binding. Cut a total strip length of about 22 inches for each 4x6-inch postcard. If you prefer, use the same method to sew fabric ribbon to postcard edges.
More Edge Finishes
Forget the binding and use any type of decorative stitch to finish the edges of your fabric postcard. Satin stitching and other types of machine embroidery are favorites.
