In my previous post, I shared my current experiment with quilted postcards. I make a finished 4 x 6″ standard sized postcard. Here is the list of materials and the instructions which start after you have a finished 4 1/2 x 6 1/2″ postcard front.

Materials

• One (1) 4 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ pieced front
• One (1) 4 1/2 ” x 6 1/2″ backing fabric
• One (1) 4 x 6″ Fusible Fleece (like Pellon 987F) or
  Two (2) 4 x 6″ SF101 Pellon ShapeFlex
• Thread for piecing/quilting
• One (1) Adhesive Postcard back (purchased from Amazon.com)

Instructions

The postcards cannot be too thick otherwise you will not be able to use normal postcard postage so I use fusible fleece that is like a quilt sandwich or two pieces of Shape Flex interfacing (one on each side fused to the back and the top).

I have two ways of making my postcards. The first is not that different from a normal quilt, and can be seen in this image below. Take the postcard pieced top and baste to the fusible fleece, and then baste with a glue stick the bottom fabric to the fusible fleece. Quilt as desired, trim. Zig-zag or overlock the edge of the post card to finish.

The second method, I chose since I was using bias tape and wanted to encapsulate the bias tape edges within the edge of the postcard. Here are the step by step instructions for this finish.

1. Fuse the fusible fleece to the top of the pieced postcard top.
2. Quilt the top with the fleece as desired and add the bias tape to the front.
3. Place the top and back right sides together (RST). Stitch a 1/4″ seam around the postcard edge, leaving a two inch opening along one edge.
4. Cut the corners inside the seam line, removing the bulk in corners.
5. Turn the postcard inside out, using a chop stick or pencil end to push the corners out.
   
6. Press the postcard edges, to position the seams folds correctly. Top stitch the edge of the postcard.
7.  To finish the postcard, take one of the adhesive postcard backs and place it on the back side of the fabric.
   

The other size you can consider is a 5 x 7″ postcard and you will need to purchase the appropriate adhesive backs.

Let me know if you have any questions. If you make any postcards I would love to see them on Instagram – just tag me @ml_wilkie or use #quiltypostcards.