After Christmas and Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day is the biggest card-giving day of the year. If you’re anything like me, you’re pressed for time to search for the right card. Furthermore, you’re annoyed at the expense of buying cards that don’t send the right message.

I have a solution for saying what I want, spending time where I want (my sewing room, not the card shops,) and saving a bit of money. That is, I use my fabric scraps to make paper-pieced greeting cards.

Once I have made a small pieced block, I mount it in a small mat, a frame or a photo card holder. I generally prefer to use up more scraps. I do this by adding a backing and, sometimes batting, using a pillow method. In addition, I can also layer and bind like it’s a small quilt.

I choose a backing without much pattern. This way I can write my own sentiment on the back with a permanent marking pen.

Instructions

If you’re new to paper-piecing, you’ll find instructions in the app. Log on and go to the Community section. You can find the general instructions in the Tips, References & Tools Library.

You’ll find paper-pieced patterns for your cards in a variety of sizes in the Gallery Library.

These handmade cards add a little extra at those birthdays and retirements where “no gifts” are requested.

It’s great to tell Mom you love her on Mother’s Day. In conclusion, make a handmade quilted card with a message that truly comes from the heart!

Happy Mother’s Day to our mothers, Lois Kujak and Susan Winger, and all the mothers out there!

Keta and Lisa