Fabric Postcard Project

Put a smile in a friend’s mailbox! This easy postcard uses Timtex® and the decorative stitches on your sewing machine.

Materials:

Timtex® – 5″ x 7″
1 rectangle 5″ x 7″ of white fabric for design
1 rectangle 5″ x 7″ of coordinating fabric for address side
2 rectangles 5″ x 7″ of paper-backed fusible web (Designer used Pellon Shirtailor non-woven interfacing)
Variety of solid and variegated threads (6-9 qty)

Instructions:

Front

Press 5″ x 7″ white fabric. Following manufacturers instructions, fuse the paper-backed fusible web to the wrong side of the fabric.
Using various stitch styles, sizes and colored threads, stitch in a curvy ribbon fashion. Repeating each style 2-3 times across short side of rectangle.
Program your machine to stitch the words grin, smile, and laugh out loud and sew in desired spots. Optional: if your machine doesn’t stitch letters, write the words with permanent pens in appropriate colors.
Assembling
Following manufacturers instructions, fuse a paper-backed fusible web to the back of the 5″ x 7″ coordinating fabric. Now fuse to the 5″ x 7″ Timtex.
Fuse the design side of the postcard to the other side of the 5″ x 7″ Timtex.
Use a 4″ X 6″ template (cut out of cardstock) to position and trace the final postcard size.
Using scissors or rotary cutter, trim on the lines.
Edging
Using a 40-wt decorative thread, start stitching at a corner and around the edge of the card two times. First time around use a normal length and a narrow-width zigzag stitch. Second time around use a short length and wider-width satin stitch to complete a smooth edge. Stitch so that when the needle swings to the right it falls just off the edge of the postcard giving it a clean edge. Optional edging: use binding tape (store bought or made out of coordinating fabric).
Back
Use a permanent marker to address and write the message. (option: use inkjet printable cotton fabric for the address side of postcard. See manufacturers instructions)
Adhere an adhesive stamp (preferably one that coordinates with the design) and mail!

Edging and address samples:

Note
The postal service requires your postcard to be: 4” x 6” and no thicker than 1/8”. Decorations should be small and flat (sequins, stitches, small seed and bugle beads etc.) so they won’t be damaged in handling.