Stitch Up Some Cards

I love fabric but I also love paper, not a big leap really lots of colors, textures, patterns and endless ways to create with it. I have been stitching up some cards for an off line event and thought it would be fun to show them here and a quick tutorial on how I made them.

Materials:
Scrapbook paper, little pieces are ok
Card stock, for mounting and for card itself
Envelope to go with your card stock
Scissors (for paper only)
Adhesive of your choice, glue dots, double stick tape, glue stickThread colors to match and contrast with papers
Sewing machine
Mylar – used for making quilting templates (optional)
Embellishments (optional) such as buttons, ribbons, brads


I can barely draw so for me it is simple shapes I can sort of do freehand, like birds, mushrooms, trees, owls, simple and bigger shapes so I can use paper to do all the work.

First I drew images, since I can usually only get one good image then use a copier to enlarge or reduce to desired size. If it is an image I will be using a lot I will make it again out of quilter’s template Mylar, this way it can be trace it over and over and have the same size and shape repeatedly.

Trace your shapes onto the back of the scrapbook paper. Doing it this way when you trim your shape the pencil tracings will not show in the finish product in case you don’t get it all cut off when trimming. Remember if you are tracing on the back to flip your template if it is directional.


I used a pre-packaged card and envelope set, the cards measured 4.25 x 5.5, I cut my card stock to ½ smaller then the cards to 4 x 5.25, this way about .25 of an inch showing on all 4 sides.

Mount images to card stock, then off to the sewing machine. I do use my machine, guessing this might not be recommended, I service my machine so often I don’t really worry too much about sewing the occasional paper item. If you have a back up machine, it may be best to use it for this project. Choose matching or contrasting thread depending on project or the threads. Stitch around image(s) usually 2 times all the way around 8-10 stitches per inch. Zig zag stitch manually cranking to add buttons, going back and forth 4-5 times to secure to card stock.

Once image is stitched, embellish if desired and trim with decorative edge scissors. Mount this onto finished card, layering card stock onto your card will not show the stitching on the inside of
the card.

The possibilities really are endless, I made a few Christmas Trees ones as well and embellished with more buttons. I originally saw these as little baby buggies, with buttons for the wheels, with all the papers available you can whip up a bunch in just an evening.

All that is left is to add your personal message and give it to the lucky recipient.