These are Quilted Postcards. You basically make in mini quilt that is 4" by 6" just like a postcard. I came up with an idea of butterflies and sketched it out. I looked around my sewing room to find the perfect fabric to use. I took the fabric that I used for the backround and backed it with a piece of flannel and machine quilted it. I wanted it to look like the butterflies were in flight. The next step was to fuse the butterfly applique to some fusable webbing called Steam a Seam. At that point I ironed the applique to the backround and machine stitched the little bodies onto the applique. Then I ironed on another piece of Steam a Seam to the back of the mini quilt. For added firmness I placed an index card in the middle of the mini front and the fabric I used for the back. I ironed all of the layers together. At that point I finished the edges with a very tight zig zag stitch and used variegated thread. For the finishing touch I glued on some Swarovski crystals for the antenna. Here is a close up of one of the finished Quilted Postcards. I took them into the post office to mail them. Even the postal workers were impressed! I had to use a 42 cent stamp to mail them.
I swaped with 14 other people. I made several extras to mail to friends and family. It was a huge hit! Here are some of the others I have received
This one is from Sally and the first one that was mailed to me. Isn't it pretty? I have received almost all of the cards from the swap. I took a shot of what I have so far. A few of these are my test ones. Sally was kind enough to send me one of hers before I started this swap.
I have to share some interested facts on one of the fabrics I used.
This is a vintage Hoffman fabric from the early 1970's. I found it in a fabric store that has been around for over 40 years. I was lucky enough to get a tour of the shop's basement. It was loaded with all kinds of fabrics that were out of date. I saw this funky fabric and had to have it. Can you imagine all the cool hippies making clothes out of this? My friend and I bought the entire bolt.
This is a shot of the top of the bolt. Notice the price. Yup, $2.69! That's what I paid per yard! You can't go wrong for the 1970's price!
10 comments:
Wow, I'm impressed with the amount of work that goes into these pretty cards! Great job!
Thanks for showcasing my postcard, Barb. I love getting them and making them. Can't wait for the next one to start.
The quilted postcards are incredible. I LOVE THEM!
Those are so neat! When I first looked at them, I thought you meant they were supposed to resemble postcards. Then I read on and realized you actually mail them. That is so cool!
they are so beautiful thats some idea, I love yours the best
the bolt alone dates the fabric...since they are now hoffman international. a little info, this company was started by two surf dogs from dana point, walter and phillip hoffman. i have had the great pleasure of meeting flippy at his house on the north shore of oahu. to say this old dude is a chick magnet is well, figure it out...he owns one of the koolest fabric companies in the world. their quilt fabric division is just small part of the company. they make designer fabric for interior design, a clothing division and more. they were both competitive surfers...walter was into tandem surfing. another boyhood friend, hobbie alter made hobbie surfboards and the hobbie cat and for the life of me, i cannot recall the other guy and what he did, but all four guys became rich and famous. i have also had the distinct plesure to tour their fabric archieve...they have yardage of every fabric they have made...mind boggling and a mind numbing trip :-)
Those postcards are really cool.
How did they get the stamp to stick though?
Just a note...Doreen Speckmann's quilts will be on exhibit at Off Center Studios in Madison, WI opening on Friday, July 11 @ 5p.m. I am going and on Saturday will go on to Stevensville, Mi to pick up my gammill. Should be a pretty exciting weekend...wonder if i could torture Mark to set it up sunday...nah...will probably have to wait a week. If you can swing it try and go...should be an amazing show. Plus, her daughter Megan will be there, she is flying from San Francisco for the event.
I would have never thought you could make quilted post cards..how awesome are those. All are adorable. You could frame them.
Congrats on the great buy with 70s fabric.
The quilted postcards are a nifty idea! And what a bargain on the bolt of Hoffman!!!
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