k3n

I posted these just now in Pictures and a few ppl asked for a tute. They're not that hard to make - here's some written instructions and a couple of photos which should be enough to make them. :-D

Instructions for fabric bowls

MATERIALS

2 x FQs in coordinating fabrics
A square of wadding the size of your bowl (I used poly as it quilts up stiffer) (12 ½” for eg)
4 x beads or buttons to embellish (optional)
Piecing and quilting thread to match fabric

METHOD
1. Make two 9 patches, reversing the fabric placement in each, to the desired size. I made some @ 12 ½” unfinished so cut the patches at 4 ½” square.
2. Sandwich the wadding square between the two 9 patches, lining up carefully and pin around the edges in the seam allowance.
3. Quilt as desired but fairly closely – you want the piece to be quite firm. I did a close meander.
4. Trim the piece square if necessary and bind the edges in your usual way.
5. Pinch a pleat from the edge of the centre square to the outside centre edge on each of the four sides to make the bowl the desired depth. My pleat was an inch wide at the outside but experiment with pinning until you get the desired effect. (see photo) Sew this pleat in place on the machine so that the pleat falls on the outside of the bowl, backstitch at each end to secure.
6. Fold out the points at each corner and hand stitch in place, embellishing with a bead or button if desired.
7. Fill with sweeties or nuts or make larger ones as bread baskets!

cjk

Thanks for the tute. One question. Did you put interfacing to make it stiffer?

k3n

Nope but I guess you could. I used a good quality poly wadding (Quilter's Dream, select weight), which is thinnish but when closely quilted goes quite firm. :-D

cjk

Ok, thanks. :)

ckcowl

i make my bowls much stiffer...i use timtex in them...it is the same interfacing thats used in the brim of baseball caps, washable and holds its shape. there are other stiff interfacings to try too...or batting...it all works :)

Maggiemay

Thanks for posting that. Those are really cute & would make great gifts. Great stash user too!

k3n

I think that the close meander I did in the quilting makes them stiff enough without using timtex or interfacing but maybe that's an idea instead of such close quilting. How does the timtex react to the curve of the bottom of the bowl though? I purposely quilted this area a little more lightly to make it more flexible then quilted the actual base of the bowl heaviest of all. I think this gives a really nice shape. I've only used timtex to make postcards but it's very stiff, I found.

candi

Thanks. A good way to practice FMQ too. LOL. I am going to try to make one before Christmas.

Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

fabricfairy

How good are these so clever , have a guess what I am making tomorrow. I teach a craft class at our church
and I am always looking for things like this , Thankyou so much. Cathy

chamby

So what exactly do you use the fabric bowls for??