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How to Quilt>Fabric Postcard
Send a Quilted Postcard Greeting
There’s no magical secret to creating quilted postcards (also known as fabric postcards). Quilted postcards are perfectly fine to send through the United States Postal Service as long as they do not exceed certain dimensions and have correct postage. Quilted postcards are the perfect greeting a quilting enthusiast can send. Not only are you using some left over fabric scraps, you’re enjoying your craft and sharing it with the lucky recipient of your postcard! To get started making your quilted postcard, select a quilt block pattern. All quilt block patterns are fair game for creating quilted postcards! You may choose a traditional block that requires piecing, an appliqué block, or an embroidered or photo quilt block. Once you have prepared the top, or “front” of your quilted postcard, select a solid light or neutral color for the backing. Remember that you will want to write a message on the back side, as well as the address of the recipient. The postal service is not too picky about the color of the back side, but it must be conducive to writing on with a permanent marker. Dark colors would require writing with a silver or gold marker, which might be harder to read for the postal carrier who is to deliver it. Once you have selected your back fabric, layer the batting between the two layers and quilt away! You may choose to bind your postcard with a traditional binding, but turning the edges under to finish them out is also acceptable. If you choose the latter method, consider running around all the edges with a zig zag or satin stitch to secure the edges better. You can make your quilted postcards as needed, or pick a day or two and do nothing but make quilted postcards. You can make all occasion, sympathy, birthday, and holiday cards just by the fabric and quilt pattern choices you make. When it’s time to mail one of your creations, print the address of the recipient with a permanent marker. Ink from water-based markers will run if the postcard gets wet. Using a fine tip or ultra fine tip permanent marker will help guarantee legibility of your writing. Be sure to print, too. You can mail your postcard in a clear envelope or have postage stamped on it at your local post office. If you have any questions about the size or cost to mail your quilted postcards, check with your local post office for the details you need. Who would you send a quilted postcard to? Anyone you’d send a paper postcard or card to! These are a wonderful way to share your craft with friends and family. I challenge you to make your holiday greeting cards this year instead of buying boxed greetings to sign and drop in the mail. Think how special you would feel if you received a quilted postcard yourself! I invite you to join Penny’s Postcard Posse and help send cheery greetings to our men and women serving overseas in our military. Many quilters have joined in this effort over the years. It’s just a small way we can show our gratitude for their service.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com P.S. Visit the QuiltBlockLibrary.com for free fabric postcard patterns. ©2009, Penny Halgren This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
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