Stitch a postcard

I like to stitch cards and postcards to make greetings that are a little bit different. It's another way to use up scraps of fabric, lace and buttons. The one above has gone off to my husband's uncle and aunt, our hosts during our recent trip to Holland.

As this is a postcard, I wanted the design to have a postcard feel about it. I also added ribbon when I mounted it so that it could be hung. Then I wrote a message on the reverse like a regular postcard, but this one will go in an envelope to protect it.

Here's a very easy way to mount a small, stitched piece of art and turn it into a postcard or mini wall hanging.

You'll need: a piece of art or wording stitched on to lightweight fabric • heavy card stock or mount board • normal card stock • a craft knife and cutting mat • a length of ribbon • craft glue • double sided tape (not the narrow type in the roll on dispenser) • regular clear tape

1. Stitch an image or a message on to lightweight fabric.
2. Cut out a piece of heavy card stock with a craft knife or utility knife to mount it on (I use the backing from used sketch pads.) The heavy card should be about an inch (3 cm) smaller than the image area of your fabric art.
3. Place the artwork image side down on a table then place the heavy card on top of it making sure it's positioned in the center. Place a piece of double sided tape along two opposite edges of the heavy card stock.
4. Starting in the middle of one edge, pull the artwork over the card so it sticks to the tape, then stick the rest of that edge and repeat on the opposite side.
5. Follow by sticking the remaining two edges in the same way.
6. Neaten up the corners and tape them down flat with normal tape.
7. Add a ribbon by gluing the two ends down at the top. (The ribbon will be sandwiched between the mounted art and the backing.) NOTE: If I've made steps 2 - 7 sound harder than they are, click here for a quickly drawn diagram.
8. Cut a normal piece of card stock out slightly smaller than the mounted artwork. Put craft glue around each edge and place it over the back of the mounted art.
9. Place a book on top to help it dry flat or put clothes pegs around the edges.

Now post it off and make the recipient smile :)

A big thank you for all the kind comments regarding Tristan's trip away, I appreciate all of your sweet sentiments. I'm happy to report that I'm coping, which hasn't even involved red wine consumption, but maybe a little lot of chocolate. Really, I'm completely void of self control at the moment, but I'm considering it medicinal!

P.S.  Back soon with a Father's Day card project I recently made with my class. If you need a card project sooner, take a look at this one from previous years.

 

Comments

[nanou]

Nini, your Dutch Postcard is beautiful ! Such a great job you made ... imagining, sewing, embroidering ! Always lovely fabrics ans ribbons ... Your husband's uncle and aunt will love him !
And I'm so pleased to hear that you're coping, Nini ! You deserve all the chocolates of the earth ! Love.

[Carrie]

This is so lovely!

[Anne]

This is stunning!!! You never cease to amaze me. I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-stitch-a-fabric-postcard/2009/06/10/
--Anne

[Cheryl]

I put a link to your blog on my blog today because I love it so much! You ARE amazing!

[margie oomen]

thanks for sharing your amazing talents.
I just knew you would cope, chocolate or no chocolate.

[christy]

so dreamy sweet! i love the little windmill. :)

[Tracey]

That is the cutest damn thing I have ever seen! I absolutely love it!!

[Miss Paula]

I love this!! It is so cute!!

[Silvia]

Great idea!! This postcard is really nice, I'm sure they've loved it!

[Nicole]

Oooh, I wish I got mail like that! I especially like the flower fields. It looks very Dutch too, not only because of the windmill but because the landscape is so flat! That for me is so typical for the Dutch landscape.

[Gillian]

Your postcard is amazing - what a lovely "Thank You"! Gillian

[dottycookie]

What a lovely idea. I think I might do something similar for a couple of upcoming birthdays ...

[Lucy Locket-Pocket]

I love your postcard! I was thinking that organising a fabric postcard swap would be a good idea! Just need to finish all my (many) other swap gifts first! Lucy x

[Pam]

I didn't need another inspiration from you just now! I am knee deep in Hexies around here! You were right - once you start - you can't stop. Very relaxing.

And now this beautiful little card idea. O just love the idea. I usually send photo cards, but this would be a great change of pace. Thank you for the how-to. Excited to get started

[deb]

Adorable! This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing. :)

[Rachel]

AWW! I love this so, so much! Just darling! I'll be linking.

[Marisa]

So cute!! I love this project!

[Ruth]

what a stunning card, wonderful idea.

[naz]

its really beautiful i couldnt imagine that we can even stitch a post card?

[daby]

its a great idea

[cindy]

This is such a fabulous idea! I love it!

[direct marketing postcard]

I love the final product of that postcard. thanks for sharing the instructions, i like to try it too..

-Luke