Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Fabric Postcards

Here's a fun project for you today. Did you know that you can mail fabric? I received a fabric postcard a few years back and I thought it was the finest thing to get in the mail. How about surprising some of your sewing friends with one?

I chose to make mine as a package with a bit of a modern look. You could always sew on appliqués, more trims, etc. The secret to not delaying your postcard is keeping it flat. That way it can make it through the post offices machines easily. Keeping the postcard around an 1/8" thick is best. If you got over 4" x 6" then it will be considered oversized and you'll need to add extra postage.


Here are the basics to making a fabric postcard.

Supplies:

Front and back fabric
Binding Fabric
Heavyweight Fusible Interfacing
Ribbon
Thick paper

Instructions:
1. First decide on what size you want to make your postcard. I chose to cut mine 6" x 8". Cut the front, back, and interfacing this size.

2. Iron the interfacing to the backside of the backing fabric and set aside.


3. Sew trims, appliques or whatever you would like on the front of the fabric.

4. Place the from and back side of the fabric together so the right sides are both facing outward. Sew a 2.5" binding around the outer edge of the postcard. Fold over the binding and press in place. Instead of hand sticthing the binding on, I used my machine.

Note: If you wanted to be quicker, leave off the binding and just stitch around the outside, leaving the raw edge showing.

5. Now cut a piece of paper to fit inside the binding of your postcard. Write your message and the address on the paper. You could always write directly on the fabric, but I thought it would be easier to read on paper so that's why I went this way. Topstitch the paper onto the backside of the postcard.

You're ready for a stamp!

Enjoy!








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7 comments:

  1. I received a fabric postcard once, too, and loved it! Cute, cute card...thanks for the tutorial!

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  2. I like your postcard and thank you for the how-to. I rather doubt a fabric post card would survive the postal system here (in Canada) but it sure would be fun to receive and send without using an envelope.

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  3. How fun! I never thought of that! Love it!!!

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  4. Really cute idea!! my Granddaughter would love making these

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  5. But to qualify for mailing at the First-Class Mail postcard price, it must be: Rectangular. At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick. No more than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick.
    USPS - Mail Characteristics - Sizes for Postcards
    pe.usps.com/businessmail101/.../cards.htm

    Her version would take a full-price stamp. :-)

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  6. I love the way you made your borders! Stop by my blog on sewing fabric postcards if you get time!
    Sheree in Michigan
    http://sewfabsew.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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