What confused me is that how the ruler is laid on the fabric it looks like a dart. I simply drew a sq and used an arrow 1" pointing across the top and an arrow 2 1/4" pointing down. I think I may have my Christmas presents worked out - lol. Now off to find some cool bowls.

bowl holders
 

I hadn't heard that you are to use cotton batting WITH NO SCRIM. Guess my Warm and Natural is out then.
Have any of you successfully and safely used the W&N???

I have used W & N and it works just fine.

A sewing buddy made these and found some scorched and she believes it was the sizing on the fabric so she washes everything before making them now. Just make sure to use cotton fabric, cotton batting and cotton thread. This person also found when she made the darts shorter the bowl holders could hold plates, etc.

You Tube says this video doesn't exist lol

Most battings are fine in the microwave. It's the silver stuff that is metal in the Insul Bright that will make the potholder catch fire. Don't put that stuff in the microwave.
Insul Bright is made for potholders to keep the heat from your hands, not to be put into the microwave.

There is a tutorial on this board, which got me started. http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...s-t144848.html

I make them to sell for fundraisers (Project Linus mostly, and a couple other nonprofits) and expect to hit 400 made by the end of this season (before Thanksgiving)-- that is if I can get my machine fixed quickly, it's suddenly going from stop to fast only--and I've mostly used Warm and Natural in them, or Warm and White, which seems a bit stiffer so is easier to work with. The Warm Tater no-scrim batting is way too expensive for me, and the scrim has presented no problems in the three years I've been making these!

Tips I'll pass on:
1)I cut the batting 3/4" - 1" smaller than the outside fabrics--I mostly use 9 1/2" fabric, 8 1/2" batting, which fits all my single-serving bowls, and also my larger serving bowls;
2) use a little school glue to attach batting to fabric and let dry; so much faster/easier to quilt than pin basted;
3) I like to glue a 4" square of flannel on the center of the batting of just one side for extra bottom-of-the-bowl padding;
4) the darts don't have to be wide or deep to be effective--I use 3/4-1" by 2-2 1/4";
5) I no longer mark the darts, but instead after quilting fold at center, RS tog, insert a long smooth item inside the fold to help make an even crease and push the fabric into the crease, and measure 3/8" in from the fold and 2" or so down the crease, stitch;
6) Using my walking foot I sew a generous 1/4" or even 3/8" seam around the outside, leaving about 2 1/2" opening for turning--I found it stitches straighter and turns more evenly with the wider seam allowance and no batting in the actual seam;
7) Using my walking foot I top-stitch around the finished and turned edge at least 1/4" in to assure the batting is well attached and the bowl keeps its shape.

If u get the zap-it batting you will have no problems in the mw I use mine all the time and love it!

I make these and sell them and directions say to wash your bag before use if u do this u will have no problems.