I have recently been asked by a few people how to attach fabric to a stiff backing for creating Artist Trading Cards (ATC’s). I have used a variety of ways to accomplish this, and thought I’d share them along with a tutorial for a more involved and finished looking style.
Let’s look at a few ideas first. Often we want to place fabric on a cardboard or card stock background without adhesive showing. I address this with one of two choices: hide the adhesive or don’t use it. The two examples shown below have fabric attached with adhesive.
On the first one I glued the fabric (the green) to a card stock mat (white). This hides any adhesive that might have bled through the fabric. On the second example I used a piece of card stock slightly smaller than my finished card size (2.5″X3.5″), wrapped the fabric around it and glued it all sandwiched together. This way was not as neat and tidy as I would have liked it. So…
Attaching Fabric to an ATC (Without Adhesive)
In the following images you can see how I create these fun pieces of art using fabric and finishing with a card stock backing without adhesive.
First, I cut my fabric at least 1/4″ larger on all sides than the desired finished measurements. (This example was cut a little close. I would have liked having just a bit more purchase when completing.)
Complete your desired sewing, painting, etc. Also, I like to pad mine with a bit of felt or thin batting. Cut this slightly smaller than the desired finished size.
Fold a corner of your fabric over your batting and sew a knotted thread into the corner.
This is the tricky part. Holding your fabric, batting and card stock sew through all three layers using a blanket stitch.
Continue sewing with a blanket stitch around the entire piece, tie off end and clip thread. (Wow, I know that step sounds a lot faster than it is. This will take a little time.) Enjoy your finished ATC or share it with a friend!
Leave me a comment to let me know if this helped you out or if you have any ideas or suggestions to share. Thanks!
thanks for the great tutorial! i’ll have to try to make a fabric ATC. i’ve only done paper ATCs. maybe i’ll make a few for my Swap-bot partners too!