Frequently Asked Questions

 

QAre they really made of fabric?  And can you really mail them without an envelope?

AYes!  They are small pieces of quilted art.  Some are fairly stiff, while others are flexible.  They must be no larger than 4" x 6" and no thicker than 1/8" in order to be mailed.  The postage must be hand cancelled, and they require a 39-cent stamp instead of the regular postcard rate.

 

QIs the address side paper or fabric?

AIn most cases, the address side is fabric, usually fused to a non-woven stabilizer such as Decor Bond.  A few of the artists use heavy card stock (paper) for the address side.

 

QIf you use fabric on the address side, won't the stamps fall off?

AWe’ve found that if you use the self-stick stamps and rub them firmly onto the card before mailing, they stick just fine.

 

QWhat kind of pen do you use to write on the address side?

AThe best pen is one with pigment ink, such as a Pigma brand felt-tip or the permanent gel roller pens sold for scrapbooking.  Sharpies work as well, but after some period of time the ink will begin to spread, leaving an unattractive brown halo around the letters.

 

QHow do you make them?  Is there batting inside?

AConstruction techniques varied, but most of the cards were made this way:  Decorative fabric, thin cotton batting and muslin backing were sandwiched, quilted, and embellished, then trimmed to size.  A separate muslin, sometimes fused to stabilizer, was added to the back of the quilt to form the address side.  The edges were bound with fabric, zigzag, satin stitch or decorative stitch.

 

QWhat about embellishments?  Can I use anything on them?

AWe stuck to flat embellishments.  Sequins, stitching, couched yarn, very small seed beads, and even feathers went through the mail with no problems.

 

QHow do I join the next swap, or start my own?

A   Click here to email Franki Kohler, our group’s organizer.