Tool Time with Island Batik

This month "Island Batik" has challenged their ambassadors to use a new tool.

I love it when we are challenged with something new.

It brings out the explorer, in all of us!

:-)

My new tool is the "Prairie Pointer" from Susan Cleveland.

I went to a taping of the "Quilt Show" with Alex Anderson
 and Ricky Tims a year ago.

Susan was one of the quilters, they were taping that day. Besides being 

completely inspired by her, we were treated to the goodies above.

Now, was the perfect time to put them both to some good use!

I started out with this gorgeous strip set.

The fan blades in this project are small, and I was excited

 to actually be able to use strips sets for the Dresden fan blades.

Chain piecing the fan blades created this fun wreath of color.
Oh yes, it melts my heart!

This tool works great on turning the fan blades, as well as Prairie Points.
It's metal, so it conducts heat beautifully,
and the measurements keep your points perfectly centered.

If you look closely, these Dresdens are just a bit different than the
 traditional ones we usually see.
 Both ends are pointed so there is no need to applique circles to them.
This method allows for partial Dresdens, that give you tons of options for playing!

Another tool you might say, is that she has you starch white fabric til it's stiff

 and draw a template onto it. You piece it right to the template and leave it in when
stitching it down to your background fabrics.
 That controls shadowing and allows for perfectly flat piecing.
After seeing my wreath of many colors,
I decided to add a border of "Prairie Points" to my project.
While I mixed up the colors in the Dresdens,
I kept the "Prairie Points" in order as I added them.
The most fun part was making 2 toned "Prairie Points" with the leftover fabrics...
...yes, that was a new technique to me also.
I took advantage of playing with a little bead work, but...

...the proof is in the pudding as they say.
These points come out perfect every time.
Thanks Susan Cleveland for a great addition to the "tool" shed!
:-)
I hope you have been enjoying the "A Piece Of" blog hop.
My fellow ambassadors have done some amazing things with the new lines
of fabrics arriving in your quilt shops.

We continue on to week number 2 on Monday, with 4 more days of inspiration.

The give away is, this set of fabulous "Sand Bar" precuts.

You won't want to miss out, on that chance to win!

The complete schedule is posted

HERE

Thanks for visiting my "Tool Time" project this month.

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin!