How to Quilt: valentine fabric postcard quilt, quilt postcard

Now You Can Make A Greeting So Memorable that Your Family and Friends will be Talking about it (and your creativity) For Years

In Just 7 Easy Steps and Using Fabric Scraps from Your Stash or Brand New Fabric from the Quilt Shop, They Will Keep Rushing to the Mailbox to See if You Sent Another One

From: Penny Halgren

Dear Friend,

Last Sunday afternoon I spent with my parents. Mom and dad are in their 80s, so we treasure every minute we have together, enjoying current events, telling stories from the past, and catching up on their grandkids (my kids).

For years, my parents included my kids, Stephanie and Bubba, on their vacation. They went to Hawaii for a week, up the Mississippi on a steamship, to Disney World via the Big Red Boat, and just missed Hurricane Andrew which devastated South Florida in August 1992.

That trip was one to remember. There I was in hot and dry San Diego, watching the news and wondering exactly where they were and whether they were caught in the storm. Those were the days before cell phones and the internet, so I was left with broadcast news and not much else.

Because my parents and I had traveled a lot and my kids were well into the travel routine, I knew that whatever they did would make sense, it was just a question of whether they would be swaying in the breeze on the boat or on shore.

Knowing that we would be worried (just a little), they called as soon as they reached land, and let us know that the Big Red Boat was just ahead of the hurricane, and that they were safely on shore and headed inland – out of the path of the storm – to a fun week at Disney World, far away from danger. What a relief!

This week’s news was about which new job Stephanie will be accepting within the teaching profession in Houston, and why didn’t Bubba call to thank them when he received the Easter present from them. (Well, between finals and having an infected tonsil, he was somewhat pre-occupied and a call to grandma and grandpa wasn’t in the cards.)

It’s the little things that keep families together – or apart.

Frequently the “little things” revolve around communications. “She calls every day, just to say “Hi” or to catch up.” “I was so excited that I was the first one he called when he got his report card.” “Why didn’t she call to let me know she needed my help?”

You know, just the little stuff. But that’s the stuff that people remember, especially families.

My mom, in particular, is big on communications. She enjoys frequent phone calls. I try to call at least once a week, often more. She loves that I come over every Sunday for dinner. She enjoys hearing from her grandkids, and is sad when she sends them a letter or package and they don't call. When my parents travel, she takes stamps and labels making it easy to send postcards to everyone.

We talk about the big things, the little things, and tell stories from the past.

Mail is a big thing to my parents.

They enjoy their short walk to the mailbox to see what treasures the postman delivers. I had the pleasure of collecting their mail for the month of January, when they took their “final cruise” to the South Pacific. (That’s at least the 3rd “final cruise” they’ve taken!)

So I understand their mail. They get lots. All sizes and shapes. Letters, magazines, newspapers and postcards.

Surprisingly, though, not one fabric postcard. As a matter of fact, I can’t remember my mom commenting that she had ever seen a fabric postcard, let alone received one in the mail.

Fabric postcards are one of the hottest little quilting items around. There are websites devoted to posting pictures of fabric postcards. There are contests for fabric postcards. And there are exchanges for fabric postcards. Each month, another quilting magazine “discovers” fabric postcards. And books have been written about fabric postcards.

The thing about them is that they are:

easy to make
unique and memorable
fun and colorful

So, I decided to create a Step-by-Step Guide for Making a Fabric Postcard. But what should the design be?

I scoured the internet, the magazines and several of the books, and decided that the perfect fabric postcard design for a patchwork quilter to make would include a pieced heart.

I pulled out a bunch of different heart patterns – strip hearts, appliqué hearts, scrappy hearts, Danish Woven Hearts, every kind of heart you can imagine!

They all looked fun and different, but didn’t exactly fit the requirement of easy to make and unique. After all, if I had used someone else’s idea, it wouldn’t be unique, would it?

So, I got out the crayons and graph paper. (Yep, 15 year old crayons still work!) And I started drawing – squares, triangles, rectangles. All of the shapes that are easy for beginning quilters to make.

I spent hours drawing and playing, and ended up with a fun little heart that is really easy to put together.

Next stop was the fabric stash. Because this fabric postcard is small (7?” wide by 5?” high), it doesn’t take much fabric, and I could use scraps. Red and white, lavender, purple and a splash of pink popped out of the box. Colors perfect for men, women, boys and girls.

Fabric chosen, crayon drawing on the cutting table, iron hot, sewing machine warmed up, rotary cutter blade sharp, ruler ready, cutting mat clean, and I was ready to go. Just one or two more things. A pad of paper to take notes as I made the fabric postcard, and a camera to record each step of the way.

My pain is your gain. This resource tells you exactly how to make a fabric postcard in a heartbeat.

Not to scare you, but days later, the Pieced Heart Fabric Postcard was done! It took me hours and days, but that is because I wanted to make it simple for you.

Once the fabric postcard was complete, I set about formatting each one of the 130 pictures that are jam-packed into this fantastic 62 page resource. I took many more pictures than that, and some of them were taken 2 or 3 times to get just the right angle to show you exactly what to do in each step, and how the project should look at each step along the way.

After all of the pictures were sized and ready, I began writing. At first I thought “This will be a piece of cake.” Since I had already written the popular Step-by-Step Guide to make Quilt Mail Greetings, I figured, I could just delete the stuff that wasn’t in this new project, and add the stuff that is in this quilt postcard.

Boy was I wrong!

Yes, there were a few paragraphs I could use. Let’s see, there is the set of paragraphs about hand quilting, some about pre-washing your fabrics, and general information about machine quilting. That was about it. Everything else is brand, spanking new information - hot off the press.

You get detailed, Step-by-Step information, with 130 full color photographs of instructions that include how to:

Cut the fabric needed for this fun little postcard – beginning on page 6, you get instructions for using your rotary cutter and then pages 10 and 11 give you a list of exactly how much fabric of each color to cut

Quickly and easily piece a checkerboard pattern – you get detailed information for speed sewing beginning on page 15, including how to make sure you are sewing an accurate ¼” seam allowance

Create a border with diamonds – the easy way! No bias stitching little diamond shapes; you learn speed cutting and sewing without stretching the fabric; page 26 is where this fun begins

Make two different sizes of half-square triangles – shortcuts and template free, starting on page 20

Add border strips with cornerstones (squares in the corners of the border) – find out on page 33 how to quickly and easily add interest to your borders (also a good technique if you run out of fabric – yes, I speak from experience)

Make binding using a bias tape maker – easier than the fold, press, cut, fold, press, cut method, you’ll see every step beginning on page 53

And much, much more

You Get All the Details You Need for Success

This 62 page Guide for making a Pieced Heart Fabric Postcard has all of the information you need to make a greeting that will surprise and delight your family and friends.

And it includes all of the shortcuts and tips you need to make your Fabric Postcard Greeting a beautiful success. The most difficult thinking you will do is decide which fabric to use in your postcard.

This fabric postcard was designed to be made by any level quilter – from beginner to intermediate and advanced. And the format of the guide is very easy to follow by any quilter. A beginner can read the clear and detailed instructions and look at the pictures to see exactly what to do, and how and when to do it. A more experienced quilter can follow the full color photographs, and read the details when necessary, picking up shortcuts and tips along the way.

If you can sew a straight stitch, you can make this fabric postcard easily. Guaranteed – there are no curves or complicated sewing in this card. Measure, cut, sew and press. It’s that easy!

If you have any of my other quilting resources, you know that the instructions are easy to read and follow. Folks from all around the world are using my Guides for their projects – from Iceland to Indonesia, and from Australia to Arkansas, people find that the Guides have all of the information they need to complete a beautiful project in a short amount of time.

Here's What a Beginning Quilter in Romania has to Say:

I am a beginner quilter and I bought "Quilted cards" from you, enjoying it
completely. Though simple, the book is extremely well written and clear, and
it makes you want to create your own cards.

Which I did and I sent them to two of my friends who live in America now.
They have just received them and liked them a lot. This encourages me to
continue next year with maybe more sophisticated projects.

Quilter Alexandra :-)
from Constanta, Romania

Here’s what quilters are saying about the guides from How-to-Quilt:

“Penny, you still provide the very best beginners' guides - more concise, to-the-point, step by step, assuming nothing - that in spite a quilting classes, I find myself referring to my dog-earred pages of "A Beginner's Guide to Quilting"

Diane Wollen

“I have received my order and am delighted. I appreciate your assistance. I look forward to a winter of quilting.”

Susan Bouza

"Your package arrived two days ago, thanks.
Your book is not only idiot-proof, it's humorous. Really enjoyed reading it."

Syndy in Australia

"Thank you Penny, for responding back to me!

I was able to download the file and open it late yesterday. I printed off the book and have all ready read through most of it.

I'm looking forward to starting my quilt. I have hand quilted before with some little projects such as pillows and wall hangings but my ultimate goal is to complete a full size quilt!!!

And I think with your book that goal will be met! Thank you again!"

Paula Randall in St. Augustine, Illinois

Tell Me, "Why Do I need This Guide?"

“But, Penny,” you say, “I can just make this by myself, without your pattern or instructions.”

Yes, maybe you can. And to do that, all you'll need to do is:

Figure out exactly what fabric you need to cut and how much
Figure out how the border diamond pattern is made simply and easily
Figure out how to make the binding and sew it on so the corners are square
Figure out what size is accepted by the US post office for mailing as a fabric postcard
Solve the mystery of how to make the fabric postcard stiff enough to mail, but soft enough to still feel like a miniature quilt

That’s a lot of figuring and solving, when you could spend a couple of minutes and a few bucks to have the answers laid out right in front of you.

The significant others in your life will be delighted that you created the most memorable greeting they ever received. And because this is such a tiny investment for a quilting resource, your bank account will be delighted that it stayed full.

Plus – you can send these little greetings any time of the year! Change the colors in the heart and make it a Birthday Greeting. Include some soft baby pastels, and send it as a Welcome Greeting to a new baby. This treasured quilting resource will guide your fabric postcard making throughout the year, and you can make those last minute gifts or "Just thinking of you" greetings in the blink of an eye.

Imagine their surprise and delight when your friend or family member sorts through their mail and finds your fabric postcard. Now, that's a piece of mail they will treasure forever.

Your success is guaranteed

Our No Hassle Money Back Guarantee is just that – if you aren’t completely thrilled with your new resource, let us know within 120 days of your purchase, and we will happily refund all of your money.

money back guarantee

So, what’s the deal?

Your copy of Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard is ready for you to claim – either through an electronic download or in print version. Because this is a new product and I would like your feedback, the current price for the electronic version is an extremely low $12.97.

Just think, for about the price of 6 greeting cards, you will have the secret formula to send thousands of greetings that your friends and family will remember forever. And these can be created for any occasion and sent throughout the year.

And that’s not all, Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard comes with the following bonuses:

FREE BONUS GIFT #1
How to Sew Half-Square Triangles
(Value $7.49)

Did you know that there are at least 5 different ways to sew half-square triangles? You will learn all of them in this bonus report. Written in the same step-by-step format, this fully-illustrated report will take the mystery out of each method. You will see exactly how to cut your fabric and how to sew the pieces so you end up with a perfect square made up of two triangles. Put this information to use immediately; since this pattern uses half-square triangles, you can find the method you like and use it in your Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard.

FREE BONUS GIFT #2
US Postal Service Regulations for mailing (Value $15.77)

True, this information is free – when you find it! It took me an hour to find the basic regulation and research all of the different provisions to make sure that I had all the rules covered. Then I visited my local post office with the fabric postcard and checked with the postal authorities. Hey, my time is worth something

FREE BONUS GIFT #3
Postcard Quilts Internet Resources (Value $23.97)

This information also is readily available and can be gotten for free, but definitely not in this format. I have searched the internet to find the most interesting sites providing resources and information about postcard quilts, well-known quilters who make postcard quilts, and forums and contests for postcard quilts. All of the trash and dead links are weeded out; you get pure inspiration.

FREE BONUS GIFT #4
Acceptable Postcard Size Template (Value $2.25)

Measure your Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard to see whether it falls within the mailing standards of the US Post Office for postcards. Using this template, you will know that your Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard is the right size to qualify for the postcard postage rate. Or you will see that your Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard must carry the first class postage rate. I'm not going to kid you, this is a very simple template, and by itself probably worth the full $2.25, and not a penny more. For your Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard project, however, this could be priceless! You will have confidence when you deliver your Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard Greetings to the Post Office that they meet the Postal Standard.

No reason to wait any longer. With the click of your mouse, you can get started making your Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard right now and have them finished and in the mail in time for the next big event! Or hiding in your quilt closet waiting for everyone to get home on the Big Day.

This Incredible Information is Yours in Less Than Five Minutes

Taking the first step couldn’t be easier. Using our SECURE SERVER, you can get your copy of Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard, including the FREE BONUS GIFTS (valued at $49.48) immediately upon completion of your order. Or you can have the book and bonuses shipped right to your door for a small additional charge of $10 for printing and shipping.

Even though this is an extremely low price, time is limited. This offer is being extended only to How-to-Quilt.com Newsletter Subscribers for the next few days, then the price goes up when this valuable resource goes on sale to the rest of the Internet quilting world.

Place Your Risk-free Order in a Few Simple Steps

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY ELECTRONIC FORMAT OPTION: Click here to order the electronic version online with our SECURE SERVER. This will take you to a form where you can enter your order information and be confident that it is secure. You will be charged $12.97 for the electronic version of the Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard, and you will immediately get an email with the link to download the information. If you prefer, you can use PayPal to purchase Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard. Just click on the PayPal button when you get to the order form. Or find the PayPal check box, and it will take you directly to PayPal for checkout.
PRINTED VERSION OPTION: Click here to order the printed version with our SECURE SERVER. This will take you to a form where you can enter your order information and be confident that it is secure. You will be charged $22.97 (including $10.00 for printing and shipping) for the printed version of Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard. Your book and bonuses will be shipped to you within 2 business days. Use PayPal if you prefer. Just click on the PayPal button when you get to the order form. Or find the PayPal check box, and it will take you directly to PayPal for checkout.
Enter your order information – your name, email address and payment information – knowing that because you are using our SECURE SERVER, nobody will get your information. Our credit cards are processed by a third party, all electronically. Because of that, your credit card information is more secure than if you use your card in a restaurant!
Click “OK.” Once your order and payment is complete, you will receive instructions to access Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard, and you can start making your Quilt Cards today.

Note: If you would prefer to MAIL OR FAX YOUR ORDER to us rather than ordering online, simply print our Mail Order Form, complete it and mail it to us with your payment or credit card information. We also cheerfully welcome telephone orders at: 619-697-6667 (Pacific Time).

You can look forward with confidence to completion of a beautiful project. I guarantee they will remember your Valentine's Day greeting. And probably keep it. Maybe even for years!

Happy Quilting!

P.S. Remember, if you order Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard today, you get all of the free bonus gifts, valued at $49.48 and even if you request a refund, you still get to keep the bonus gifts.

P.P.S. Don’t wait another minute – your Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard resource is just a click away, and you can begin creating your special greeting in mere moments after you order Pieced Heart Fabirc Postcard. And, remember, if you are not completely happy within 120 days, just let us know, and we will refund your full purchase price – no questions asked (and you keep the bonus gifts).

Click here to see Alexandra's Quilt Postcards

mprove your quilting skills with us! Receive free quilting patterns and try your hand out on some new quilting techniques! We also feature all types of quilting fabric for all of your sewing needs.

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