Prairie Points For You

I don't think I have shared this on the blog previously, so here's a little surprise!

About 4 years ago, I was inspired to try filming a little video and create a YouTube channel for myself.  So I came up with an idea and one night my videographer (aka Husband Bob) worked out a little video for me.  I had been using a tool called the Prairie Pointer to make a bunch of prairie points to be used in a pattern called the Prairie Point Pillow.  Say that sentence 10 times fast!  Anyway, I added in a demo of inserting the pillow form.  Now, you might not think that this task is something that requires a demonstration.  After all, we do it all the time, right?  But I really like to make the back side overlap deep enough to eliminate any chance of it gaping open and naked pillow showing.  This has caused me some trouble with getting that pillowform inserted without straining the seamline stitches to the point of tearing.  Then, I had a lightbulb moment!  I was visiting with Terry Atkinson, well known local pattern designer, about the pillow patterns she was showing.  I got really brave, not wanting to show my ignorance, and asked her just how she managed to get such a nice back side overlap without any rippage.  She promptly showed me how to do it, and that's what became my lightbulb moment, and that's what I show on this video.  Check it out!

A Little Tap Dance!

 Are you looking for a new outlet for your creative genius?  Here's a way to combine your fabric designs with motifs and designs from any kind of print source that you can print or copy.  You can actually create your own custom fabrics!

This product is called Transfer Artist Paper (TAP) and is an update on the old fusible transfers that I used about 10 years ago.  This new product gives a much better result, not the stiff and glossy look of the photos that I put on fabric back in the day.

Barb made this great tote bag with the TAP and a printed design onto a solid linen-like fabric.  She even personalized it with her own name printed into the design!  The bag pattern is the Alice Book Bag by Betz White.

To help you understand some of the many ways that you could make use of TAP, here is a short video demonstration:

Prairie Point Pizazz

I have worked up a little demo to show you 2 new techniques that might be useful for some of your projects. First, an easier way to insert a pillow into a pillow cover that has an overlapping back. Then, a tool that helps make crisp little prairie points.



The product info:
the pillow pattern that started this is 'Pillow Trio' by Atkinson Designs
the pillow that I made is Prairie Point Pillow by Seams & Dreams
the pressing tool is the Prairie Pointer by Susan Cleveland at Pieces Be With You
Mary Ellen's Best Press is available in several scents and sizes. We use it for all our sewing projects.