I'm planning on making some fabric bowls for a swap over on sewingmamas.com, but did a couple practice ones first today. The first was a bit wonky as I didn't know quite what I was doing. It's destined for my youngest. Then the 2nd my DD picked the fabrics for - it turned out much better due to practice, too. :)
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=59772&stc=1&d=1156037580http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=59773&stc=1&d=1156037707

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=59774&stc=1&d=1156037817http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=59775&stc=1&d=1156037852

Looks great! You can really see the improvements in the second one. I've wanted to try these, but I'm afraid they're too hard--what did you think?

I would love to get one in the swap!

:)

Jeni

Those are really cute!

not in this forum at all...but saw the title and had to ask...

mil gave me some of these, but i'm not sure what to use them for. ideas?

Those definitely look neat! I too have wondered what people use these for. I can see if they were in a fabric that coordinates with the decor that they might be an interesting place to put coasters in or the tv remotes. Other ideas?

Those are beautiful :)

Looks great! You can really see the improvements in the second one. I've wanted to try these, but I'm afraid they're too hard--what did you think?

Jeni,

the first one was hard because I had no idea how to join the sides - I started overlapping them and then half-way through realized that the exterior of the bowl looked horrible - you can see where I had to cut off the excess. Also, the cloth was cut larger than the stiff interfacing, so that caused problems when I did the outer stitching - you can see one area that's especially wonky. Also, the second one I misjudged the amount of thread needed, and I had to switch thread colors after sewing the inner square.

I did like the interfacing I used with the first one (Dritz InnerFuse medium) because it was fusible and I could just iron the fabric right on - no issues with fabric falling off the interface during construction, which frankly I had happen with the 2nd (used Timtex which is not fusible, and a basting spray) - I think because the timtex isn't cotton the adhesive didn't work so well and I had it all falling apart as I was sewing, and had to be careful smoothing it as I sewed. I'm going to try using an iron-on adhesive "HeatnBond UltraHold" for my next Timtex one, but I'm apprehensive about that because the directions say "don't sew - machine stitching is not recommended". Both the Timtex and the InnerFuse are of similar weights. I wish the Timtex was fusible, because its dimensions are better for the larger bowls - I can get two 10.5" or even 11" squares out of one piece, but can only get a 9" square out of the InnerFuse (which is what caused my 9.5" cloth square to be bigger, and thus caused problems as detailed above).

as to what to use them for... these are intended for the kids swap, so I was mainly thinking that kids can put their pieces of lego, marbles, small figurines, dice, any other little things that seem to clutter their floors/desks. My DH wants one now and thinks I should make a bunch of smaller ones for holiday gifts for our relatives - he thinks they'd be a great place to put keys so the keys don't scratch whatever surface he usually puts them on (ie a table). They'd also be good for putting coins into.

The ones I made started with a 9.5" and 10.5" square respectively, using I think 3" and 3.5" squares for the smaller pieces. In future I'll use a max of 9" for the Innerfuse ones.

Neat Margaret, I love seeing learning in progress that isn't mine! ;) Goodness knows I am on a learning curve most of the time. :lol:

I love the fabrics too, very cool with the contrasting bottom.

Your bowls look so cute! I have the hardest time wrapping my head around the construction of those, LOL. Yours look great! :D

Beautiful bowls ! :) I wish I know how to sew more than straight hems !

Leng