tate_elliott

Let me say that I don't know if I came up with this myself or if it is a dim memory from somewhere else. I've made several clothesline-wrapped bowls and baskets and have never liked the "taper the end" way of finishing a bowl.

I recently decided to make a new bowl and had an idea. I usually put an accent stripe in my bowls. I decided to taper the bowl off before the stripe and put the stripe on differently. After tapering off the main fabric, I took a length of rope slightly larger than the circumference of the bowl and started wrapping it with the blue fabric. But I didn't start sewing it to the bowl at the beginning - I started about three inches from the beginning of the rope. I continued as normal until I got back to the beginning of the blue stripe. I then cut the rope to butt right up against the beginning of the blue stripe and continued to wrap twice over the beginning of the stripe. That's why I didn't sew the beginning down - it allowed me room to wrap it to disguise where the row started/stopped. Then I finished sewing the stripe down. Then I did the same technique again with the main fabric. Now the tapered end is hidden two rows down and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

Another way of describing this is that I ended the bowl as usual, and then sewed a "ring" with no beginning or end on top of it. In fact, I had considered making the ring separately and then sewing in place. But I was concerned that it would be too big or small and not look right.

I know it's hard to tell from a photo, but take a look and tell me what you think. And if anyone knows of this being thought of before, please tell me where you saw it, so I can look it up.

Tate

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rootyr

Awesome! Great idea!

DianneK

I love making those things, and hate the taper!!

angiecub

I too hate the end on the top of these bowls, but I don't understand how you did this and can't see in the picture. Can you explain or show a closer pic? thanks!

Babs194068

Great idea!

mrsmail

Great idea!

DJ

I will definitely be trying this technique and sharing it with a friend. It's similar to how I was taught to end piping when I was upholstering chair cushions. Didn't think to apply it to the bowls. TFS

tate_elliott

Here's another photo. I just wrapped some rope and pinned it to the basket to illustrate the idea. I took a piece of rope a little bigger than the basket was around and started wrapping it. You'll notice that you don't have to completely cover the beginning A, because you'll cover it when you finish. Once you've wrapped several inches, you start to stitch it to the basket, - not at the beginning, but at B. Then you wrap and stitch around as normal until you get to C. Then you cut the end of the rope off so it will butt right up against A and continue to wrap the rope past A. You may want to glue or sew the ends of the rope together, but I didn't. It's a little difficult putting the fabric through the gap under the rope at A smoothly, but not too difficult. If you want a clean finish, you'll need to fold the raw end of the fabric over before sewing it down. I use a dab of glue stick. Then just finish sewing on to where you started sewing at B.

I hope this helps you picture what I did.

Tate

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blueangel

Good idea.

sewbeadit

That is a wonderful idea, I have never heard of it before. Great tip, thanks. It looks so good without the taper.