So I’m in the planning phase of my daughter, Matilda Jane’s, 1st birthday party. Rather than doing one gigantic blog post after the party, I thought I would just share things with you as I go. Luckily I got her invitations in the mail last week, so I can check that “to do” off of my list!
The theme for Matilda’s birthday is a Summer Garden Party and is inspired by the fabric I used to make her birthday outfit. So I’ve already shared her birthday dress with you…….remember this………
I really feel like the invitations set the tone for the party before it even starts. For my daughter, Savannah’s 2nd birthday the invitations were more casual and fun since it was a huge Elmo Dance Party. But for Matilda’s birthday we are doing something more intimate outside in The Cottage Garden (our yard), so I wanted a little more class and elegance with the invitations. I am a HUGE fan of sewing on paper – I think it is so different and unique and super-easy to do!
I took blank, cream colored, folded note cards and used the two fabrics from her birthday dress for the invites. I used the floral fabric on the front and the polka dot on the interior.
I applied single-sided fusible interfacing to the back-sides of both fabrics. I find this helps the fabric to lie very flat when stitching it to paper. I placed a little piece of double-sided tape to the fabric to hold it in place while sewing.
I used a zig-zag stitch in coordinating blue thread to sew the two fabrics to the card.
For the inside portion of the card, I simply printed the party information onto paper and cut it to size. I used a straight-stitch to attach the paper to the card (again, I used a little tape to hold it in place).
I used InDesign software to layer the digital images of the fabrics and place the text on top. I’m sure you could use something like photoshop or maybe even Word to achieve the same effect.
Don’t you just love with something turns out how you envisioned it? I love these little invitations – they are so sweet – just like my sweet Matilda Jane!
Cottage Mama’s Note: The fabric I used is from designer Heather Bailey’s, “Nicey Jane” fabric line.
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
I love the invitations. The party is going to be adorable. Now you’ve got me wondering what to do for my son. You never can start too early. He’s 6 months, but was born 2 days before Christmas, so we have to figure out a way to get people to not think Christmas!
But, you’ve started me to thinking anyway :0)
This idea is so cute! I love it :]
Oh these are so neat! I’m starting to plan my dd’s 6th birthday and I’m having fun with all the projects! It’s nice she’s old enough to take part too
I’m having a giveaway on my blog, stop on by 🙂
Your daughters’ dress and bonnet are adorable, and the invitations such a neat idea! I see great love imbued in all of it. Your daughters are blessed! Blessings to you, Kathi
Sweet indeed! I haven’t tried sewing on cards–I should give it a whirl sometime.
Gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the rest!
Wow!!!!!!!!! These are so gorgeous. I wish we could come 🙁 I love my card you sent me, I want to frame it it’s so pretty!
Hi Lindsay!
Oh wow, am I ever so glad that I found your blog! I think I found you through another blogger’s link. I’m sorry I can’t remember her name now, but she did a wreath like yours (the little rag-knot one).
I think you have the cutest ideas on your blog. Can’t wait to read more and get “to know you a little” better through reading more posts!
Anyway, just wanted to say “hi” and let you know I’m a happy new follower. Blessings to you!
Love,
Laura
Beautiful blog and awesome project! That fabric is delicious and your cards are beautiful!
I hopped over here from Trendy Treehouse and I’m a new follower.
Sooooo cute!!!
These are lovely. What a wonderful way to tie everything together. That little girl is so sweet too.
Great job on everything and Hi from New Friend Friday!
These look great!!! I absolutely adore the fabric and your daughter’s dress! I just did fabric backed invitations for my wedding, too!
Oh my. Yes, I would say we have very similar taste!! I LOVE Heather Bailey, I love the dress and bonnet, I love the fabric invitations. So glad to have found you, too!
I love the invitations and her birthday dress. It so makes me want to sew, but I’m still trying to figure out my new machine so I haven’t actually made anything yet, but this just might be my motivation.
By the way, I’m a new follower from New Friend Friday at The Girl Creative.
that wonderful idea!
I am in love with the items in this post. I have been trying to make business cards with fabric. It has come out too bulky, but I think I could just sew one simple layer of fabric. The invites are so amazing. The dress you made is stunning. I love it so much. You must have the best dressed girls for miles!
thanks for posting this. You have solved my dilemma for my baby girl’s first birthday invites. I just started sewing and wanted to use fabric but wasn’t sure how.
🙂
What a gorgeous idea! You got me thinking about making Christmas cards that way now… thanks 🙂
Such a cute idea. I might be making fabric invitations soon! Thanks for the idea 🙂
So you use a sewing machine to sew on the fabric to the card?
hi… i’m from brazil and i loved all ideas you have. my daghter will have 1st birthday in july… so i will do inspired in your party. congratulation! you are so amazing