Monday, February 6, 2012

a sneak peak and some more postcards

I had a few questions on my postcards from the last post wanting to know a few tips to help make the process easier etc. Well , this is what has helped me ,for example, in a postcard such as the selvage card instead of using a background fabric to sew these strips to I used a piece of iron on interfacing and sewed them to the non fusible side . Now your front is ready so lets concentrate on the backing , take your unbleached cotton and iron the timetex or similar product to that , I have tried several different types some stiffer than others and have even just used a couple of layers of interfacing so that part is up to you but personally I like them to have a little stiffness as it gives much better body . Once your back is ready simply iron the backing to the front then do either a satin stitch or a decorative stitch on your machine all the way around the outside edge of the card and you have finished !!! Now to back up a little , if you are using a solid front with some applique applied then you would iron on some lite heat and bond to the back then I just sewed through the paper backing and once the applique was done I removed the paper and ironed on to the backing as above , clear as mud huh :-) Seriously if you have any questions or perhaps suggestions I'd love to hear them. I did a tutorial on how I make postcards , in particular landscape postcards sometime ago which you can check out here http://sheilasquiltworld.blogspot.com/2011/08/postcard-tutorial-and-swap-sign-up.html  The same principles apply to any postcard and I would like to say this is just my way of making cards I am sure there are many others, possibly better ways of doing it .
 Here are two cards I made today .
Both obviously applique and in this case I did it as I mentioned by ironing on the heat and bond on the back of my front then applying the applique and once I sewed around the applique I removed the paper and applied the backing.
 I have also been working on a small project which I will just give a sneak peak as I am not quite finished plus it is a gift. I know I said I was going to work on my SAHRR which I did but then needed a little break , my brain was starting to hurt ;-) So these pretty spring like colors calmed me right down .
 Do you recognize the pattern? It was a lovely break to sew this up and now I must get it quilted . Enjoy your evening and thanks for stopping by .
 hugs Sheila

14 comments:

  1. thankyou so much Sheila for your hints and tips i feel more confident to try one now.xx

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  2. Thanks for your postcard suggestions. On my latest ones I did my quilting through the front and the timtex, then had to use a layer of fusible interfacing between the timtex and the backing so that the threads wouldn't show through as much. I think your way would work better. I'm going to try it next time.

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  3. Thanks for more tips on postcards. You are certainly a creative lady! And that sneak preview sure looks like the 12 Days of Christmas....perhaps 12 Days of Spring?
    Cheers!

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  4. I'll have to check out your tut. on postcards. I should be making more of them too.
    Sure do like that 30's quilt that you are working on.
    in stitches

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  5. Thanks for sharing that info. I have to make a postcard for a swap i'm in. Love the 2 you made today. Especially the cat one. :) Hugs,

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  6. Beautiful stitching as per usual. Love the cupcake postcard and your sneaky peak looks gorgeous.

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  7. One of these days I must do a few more postcards... love your sneaky peak project... such pretty fabrics...
    Hugz

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  8. -beautiful postcards and your quilting project looks great, lovely fabric choise.
    Liebe Grüße
    Bente

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  9. Your sneak peek looks great! Very bright and cheerful! :0)

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  10. Such PrEttY fabric..Oohh wonder what it is? Great postards too :)

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  11. You do the best post cards Sheila...those are adorable. And love the colours in your quilt...

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  12. I love your post cards and your quilt...

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  13. Thank you so much for the tips, I am going to print them off and have them beside me when I make a postcard!

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  14. Great timing! I was going to ask you how to make a postcard quilt so that I could make one. Thanks for taking the time to explain it to us!

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