Friday, January 31, 2014

Friday Finish: Easter Postcard


I am not sure I would call this a finish, more like a failed experiment, lol. I wanted to try a postcard and decided to just go for it and see how it worked out. I made a mess, but I learned a lot, about what not to do.

I used Peltex for the base of the card, it is double sided fusible, so a nice product to use for postcards. A friend send me precut pieces, so I could use them for practice. I took scraps of fabric from my basket and just laid them down in a random pattern, then ironed them to the Peltex. I wanted to do machine stitching, so I realized if I wanted to stitch, I could not have the plastic back on it, so I put the backing on too, big mistake. If you are doing a lot of stitching, wait to put on the back side;)

It was not my best week to be doing fine work, my lyme is messing with my nerves again, so I don't have the control I need for this. I stitched all over the place, and my jerky motions made the stitches jump and as you can see, it is a mess. I will have to slow down, working too fast with free motion is another bad idea, on small pieces. I used a design from an old book I had, with country designs, perfect sizes for practicing.

It is a fun project to do and fun to experiment, well worth a try if  you have never made one. I will be doing more and getting used to stitching small areas and I think it would be fun to do some mixed art ones.

Things I did learn was, use a 90 sized needle if you are working on Peltex, otherwise your thread breaks. Variegated threads are fun to use if you don't want to change the threads, it gives you a variety of colors on one spool. For the appliques I used Pellon fusible.

I cannot believe I am showing you this, but some of us, learn better from our mistakes;)


For the back, I used a postcard print out and traced the lines on. You can find printables that you can use for the back. I used a Pitt artist pen to do the lines and word, it dries immediately and it waterproof.

This is why you want to wait to put the back on, not a pretty sight. Even though this one was a mess, it was fun and I can't wait to try some more.


14 comments:

Sandi said...

Wow an Easter card already, you are definite ahead of the curve. Great job for your first attempt.

Dorothy said...

If you zig zag stitch by machine around the edge - twice - it gives a lovely thick secure edge but do it after the back is on. I think it's great you showed yours and such a lot
of detail.

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

I'm sure you will have it mastered in no time and good for you for experimenting.

moosecraft said...

This is such a cute design and a great idea! I think you did just fine on your first try... anyone would love to receives this piece of Spring in the mail! Just have fun!

Raymond Homestead said...

That is so neat!

Sheila said...

I love to make fabric postcards and for your first time you did great . It isn't a problem to stitch over the pelted without the backing , I do it all the time. Cute card !

Karen said...

I can see the problem about the back but the rest is wonderful. Very prim in style.

Fiona said...

its a great design...and like all things there is improvement with practice....
Hugz

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

Debbie it is not bad.....free motion quilting is funny but, hey, this is how we learn. All else is perfect...fabric choices and design so you will get it next time. Great first attempt.

Julie Fukuda said...

It looks fine to me. Who looks at the back other tha the postman?

Lori said...

How can you learn (and help others) if you don't try it. I think it is so cute!

HomeSpunPrims said...

Debbie,
I applaud you for not giving up even when hour lyme's acts up. Good for you! I think you did a great job. Hugs, Lori

jennifer768 said...

Never made postcards but it seems like a fun project.I think you did a great job.Thanks so much for sharing.Hugs,Jen

Kathy H said...

Great postcard. I forgot and put the back on before I sewed the front. I added another back with some fusible and redid the trimming thread.