Postcard Process
Soon I’ll have a new hand-stitched postcard for you, but first I thought I’d share a bit about my process. I’ve talked through this with collectors in person, but I’ve never documented it. Here’s a first stab at that…
Video: These are mock-ups of postcards I’ve stitched in the past. I almost always make a copy of a postcard—take a photo of it and print it on my photo printer—and then I test designs and color schemes on that copy. Since each postcard, particularly the ones that were written and posted, is unique, I want to be confident in my design before I proceed. I used some of the designs pictured here on the actual antique postcards, but others I decided didn’t work. Notice the two mock-ups at the end of the video. The rest of this post concerns that postcard, and I’m using neither of those designs. I didn’t think the mock-ups worked!
Postcard design process.
Photo 1: I start with plain vellum and a colored pencil. I lay the vellum over the postcard, and I sketch ideas. Sometimes this takes a couple iterations, and other times it takes multiple sessions stretched out over months. This is my third attempt at a design for this particular postcard—I first sketched designs on vellum last summer! I progress from plain vellum to gridded vellum, using the grid to get precise about the number of squares each shape will encompass. At this stage I also consider where/if I want shapes to line up or not along implied lines of stitches. Usually I try to stagger shapes, as it leads to a more pleasing design.
Transferring design to postcard.
Photo 2: Once I’ve completed the design, I tape the postcard to a craft mat, align the grid design with the postcard, and tape it to the mat as well. Then I start poking holes in the card. I use a thimble for this now, as when I first started making postcards I pushed a needle clear through a fingernail. Ouch!
Postcard with design punched into it.
Photo 3: The postcard with the design transferred to it.
Designing a color palette.
Photo 4: Now it’s time to choose a thread palette. I have a large collection of cotton embroidery thread, and I usually lay out several sets of skeins atop a postcard before I narrow the options. Here’s I’m looking for 4-5 shades of a single hue. I want a gradation of shades across each frame.
Stitching in progress. Two “frames” completed and three to go.
Photo 5: Then it’s time to stitch. My favorite part! Although I also love the design stages.
I’m hoping to finish and share this postcard in the next day or two. Stay tuned to my Instagram and my shop.