How to sew on cards tutorial

I have never tried to sew on cards before.  I've seen beautiful hand stitching on paper, and have always wanted to try it.  However, when I heard about using a sewing machine to stitch on a card....I knew that was what I was looking for.  Check out these cards I made yesterday...

I was a little late with the Mother's Day's Cards, so I really needed to finish these so I can get them in the mail!

All you need to make these cards are:
*Scrapbook Paper
*Card Stock
*Thread to match your paper (or white is always good)
*Sewing Machine
*Needle (I just used a Universal Regular Pint Needle, Size 11)
*Printer
*Glue or Glue Dots
*Scissors/Paper Cutter
*Colored Pencils

Start by grabbing all your supplies.  Then spend some time cutting out your scrapbook paper.

 My mother-in-law bought me this awesome paper slicer years and years ago.  I have no idea where she got it or the name brand.  It also has a little light underneath.  It came with different blades too.  Here I'm using a zig-zag blade.

 Once everything is sliced, it's time to glue everything in place.

Now for the fun part~sewing!  For the cards shown in this tutorial, I used a zig-zag stitch and set the length and width to what my machine suggested.

I usually start from the outside and work my way in.  It really does not matter.  On this card, I will sew all the way around the outside first.  Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end to hold it in place.
When you finish with the outside square, cut the strings on the front and back as close as you can to the card.. 

 You will now start sewing the inner square, just like the outer.  Again, backstitich at the beginning and end.  Then,  go all the way around until you reach your starting point.

 Cut the strings on front and back.  You are now finished sewing!

Your card should now look like this.

This is where you would now go to your computer and compose whatever you want to say on your card.  Here I used the Word program on my computer to print out the words, "Thank You!".  I also chose to add a clip art picture of a flower I found for free on the web.

 I like to use these double-sided peel off sticky pads to adhere my words of choice.  I do not know what they are called, but they come in all different sizes and can be found at your local craft store in the scrapbooking section. These give the 'Thank You' a 3D appearance.

I like using colored pencils on my cards.  It makes me feel artistic! :)  I know, I'm just coloring.

Now for the inside of your card.  Some of you may not like being able to see the stitching on the back of the front cover.  I actually kind of like it.  As long as your stitching is neat, I think it's fine.

If you are using a brown card like this one, you will have to insert a nice square section for people to write their note on.

Here I just chose the same pattern from the front of the card, as a background, and then used a cream card stock on top.

You are finished!!  Now you have a nice hand-made card to give to a loved one.  So much better than a $5.00 card from your local box store!

I also made this card today.  To make the flower below, I did free motion stitching,  After stitching, i noticed that the back actually looks neater than the front, so that is what you see below.  I used a pink thread in the needle and white thread in the bobbin.  (Just b/c I was to lazy to change out the bobbin.  I had never done this before, so I was thrilled to get such good results on my first try.  I then used a colored pencil to fill in the flower. 

I think the possibilities are endless with stitching on paper.  I want to try this out with my pressed flower cards and with my framed pressed flower art.

I'll try to do a write-up on free motion stitching.  I also used some free motion on this bag I made. I am no expert, but it is so much fun!  Everyone needs to try it. 

Thanks for visiting!  If you have any question please leave me a comment below.  I'd love to know if any of you have tried this before.  If you want to follow my blog, just click on the tab to your right.  You will receive updates anytime I make something new. 

If you liked this post, you might also like, http://ginascraftcorner.blogspot.com/2013/05/more-stitching-on-cards.html.

Now go find a corner and start crafting!

Grace and Peace,
~Gina~

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