Barbie Fabric Bowls or Bags

Thursday, August 13

Barbie Fabric Bowls?? Well, they started off as round bowls. But along the way to the finish line they turned into handbags. Purses. I am thinking slumber bag for the larger one and going to grandma’s for the smaller one.

I would carry the larger one even knowing it was made from Barbie fabric. It’s not that obvious. Bet you wouldn’t have guessed it, if I hadn’t told you, huh?

I have a bit of hand sewing left to do on the smaller bag. Dreading it. I can’t use a thimble, my fingers won’t hold onto one. So, I have to tape my fingers to reduce pricks and that slows me down.

The larger one was a challenge. I wanted to put grommets on the sides so I could string the straps through but neither me nor hubby could get the darn thing to work. The two parts would NOT mash together and hubby is pretty strong!! I am returning it for a refund. I ended up using silver split rings. Looks ok to me. I reinforced the area so it is strong enough to hold the usual weight of a ladies purse. Strap can be carried doubled or long.

The smaller bag has two 4″ Marbella rings for handles.

It also has a pocket inside.

It doubles as a bowl to hold all those little girl things. Just fold the top down. Oh yeah, the larger bag also doubles as a tall bowl to hold all those big girl thingys. 😀

There’s lots more Barbie fabric left. About 6 yards. Maybe I’ll make more bowls. I have an idea for a placemat and coasters. Doll size. For playing house. Or a border for a picture frame.

Lot of ideas. Just need to sit, sew and create.

Fiesta Bowl Time

Saturday, August 8

Whew!! Done!! This set took longer than the other fabric bowls due to the hand sewing needed to finish off the ends. Coil ends on the two bowls. And fabric “blending” on the coasters.

I think these fabrics work well together.

The pictures hardly do this set justice. I did my best to capture what my eyes see.

And this is what I see…..

Larger bowl, smaller bowl (coaster caddy) and 8 coasters. Colors are red, purple and green. Starting at the top of each bowl… Red fabric has tiny white hearts. Purple floral with red, green and white.  Bottom fabric is an avocado print.

Again, I put my own spin on making these fabric bowls. I have a hard time “following”. I have to be out front leading the band.

At first I planned to use larger rings for handles (see photo below) but didn’t have enough of the purple and red floral fabric to make a huge bowl like I wanted.  (And I ended up not using the solids and lavender tiny print.)

So… going smaller meant different rings. I like how these little 2″ round Marbella rings look. I may make another set like this in a different color combination.

Here are more photos…

Figuring out how to wrap the rings.

Bottoms Up!!

Let’s peek inside.

And one last photo.

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Go here for instructions to make your own bowl.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl

10 Tips For Making A Fabric Bowl

Sunday, August 2

OK, so I am not an expert in making these fabric bowls. Yet. But I have made five of them and think I have learned something from each one.

Tip 1. Take the time to cut fabric on the bias. Sure it will take a bit longer but the finished look will be cleaner. You can thank me later. 😀

Tip 2. Cut strips 1 1/4″ to 1 1/2″ wide. Saves on wrapping time. You can cover more of the cord with wider strips and not worry about them slipping off and uncovering the cord as you work.

Tip 3. Don’t waste any fabric. Sew smaller strips together before wrapping.

Tip 4. To save on wrapping “preparation” time, you can sew longer strips together. Wrap them around your hand to create a nice circle and secure with a paper clip or binding clip, as I have done. Unwrap when needed.

Tip 5. Use a binding clip to hold fabric in place every 6 inches. Even if it looks tightly wound around the cord.

Tip 6. For a different look, mix or match up the strips. Sew several rounds with the same fabric/color. Then change up and sew several rounds with a different fabric/color.

Or sew every other strip with a different color/pattern. Change up to see how you like the outcome.

Tip 7. Be creative when ending the coil and work it into the design so it doesn’t stand out. (Here I used a crochet flower and a button to hide the ending.)

Tip 8. Not sure how much a clothes line costs but I have to think I am saving money by using 8mm (thick) macrame cord. I bought 100 yards on sale for $5 and this is how much is left after making 3 bowls. (Photo showing a full roll and the left over roll.)

Tip 9. Wind 2 or 3 full bobbins before beginning to sew. You will use two for sure. It takes a lot of thread.

Tip 10. Experiment with your sewing machine’s zig zag stitch before beginning your fabric bowl. Length and width. Make a note of which setting you like best. So your stitches will be consistent. I am not positive but I believe I am saving a bit of thread by spacing the stitches farther apart. Plus I like the look rather than smaller tighter stitches.

So… those are my 10. As you make your fabric bowl, please do come back and share yours with us.

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Go here for instructions to make a fabric bowl.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl

Fabric Bowl #5: The Rose Bowl

From this.

To this.

And finished!!

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Go here to make your own fabric bowl.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl

Fabric Bowl #4: Using Rings For Handles

Friday, July 31

How about these Marbella D rings for handles? They can be arranged up.

Down.

Or straight out.

I have sad news to report. I am now out of burnt orange fabric. 😀

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Go here for instructions to make your own fabric bowl.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl

Cut and Waiting Its Turn/Bobbin Winder Broken

Tuesday, July 28

Today was all about organizing fabric and putting them in piles. Prints and patterns I wouldn’t normally mix. Thinking outside the box here. Getting my creative juices flowing.

I cut some strips. Used scissors. So glad these don’t have to be perfect.

These are waiting to be cut.

I am so excited. I love making these fabric bowls. I am trying to make them different. Changing up how I end the coil. What I do for the handle or IF basket will have a handle.

I wish my sewing machine was loving me sewing on it. It’s only a couple years old. I bet I haven’t used it more than 100 times and the bobbin winder called in sick. I can’t get it to move. I guess it is stuck on “leave me be”. I cleaned the bobbin case. Now, how could the two be related? One is inside the machine and the other is up on top of the machine. When one is moving, the other is not. But HEY!! What do I know!! I cleaned it anyway.

Still didn’t work. I don’t know what else to do. I went through my manual. They is nothing on bobbin winder won’t move. Will be calling the repair shop tomorrow. I hope they can fix it on the spot. Don’t want to leave it. Just when the urge to sew is so strong.

Oh well… I have plenty of fabric to cut up.

Psst.. You are probably wondering why those yellow and red rings are sitting on top of the fabric. You will have to wait for my post on Fabric Bowl #4. 😀

Fabric Bowl #3, More Fall Leaves

Monday, July 27

I really LOVE the fabric in the middle. I hope I can find more.

It has a wine background with tan, cream and reddish orange leaves. I want to make a flat mat and some coasters with this same pattern as the bowl but I am all out of it.

This is my 3rd fabric bowl and they are getting easier to make. I shaved off an hour making this one. I tried to follow the same design as the 2nd one.

But I did make this one a bit taller AND notice the handles. Completely different from the others. I made the handle from four rounds of coils and then I hand sewed them to the sides. The buttons cover the beginning and ending of the coil.

I REALLY like how this came out. It has a cleaner look. I cut the strips on the bias for this one and #2. I am still using macrame cord instead of clothes line. 8mm cord. I have enough left of this roll for 2 more baskets.

It takes LOTS of thread. I start off with two full bobbins wound from one spool and a 2nd spool in the machine. I end up running out of bobbin thread right about near the end. If you make one of these bowls, make sure you have plenty of thread.

It is sooooo much prettier than these pictures show.

Measures 11 1/2″ diameter and 5″ height.

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Go here for instructions to make your own fabric bowl.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl

Fabric Bowl #2, Fall Leaves

Wednesday, July 22

If someone had told me I would be glued to a sewing machine for four hours and enjoying it, I would have told them “no way, not gonna happen”.

BUT… WAY, it did happen!! Well, off and on, between cutting fabric strips, wrapping the cord, sewing, stopping, wrapping, sewing, stopping…

This fabric bowl took me about 5 hours to make. The bowl posted on Craft Stylish took 4 hours. So I guess that makes me a slow sewer. I am OK with that. Especially when they come out LIKE THIS!!

I selected the fabric to make my 2nd bowl sometime last week.

I added some fat quarters, ended up using just one. Thread I already had. And I used 8mm macrame cord instead of clothes line. It is working out really well.

Here’s my sewing machine in action. I have a Janome Memory Craft 10001. I am actually loving it!! It does all sorts of neat tricks at the touch of a finger. I kept altering the width and length of the zig zag stitch. Cool!!

And I put all those years in the corporate world to good use. 40 years of organizational skills learned. I created a “strip organizer”. 😀

These are pictures taken as I was almost finished.

The STUMPER in making this bowl is what to do with the cord end when finished. ???

I think I solved it. By twirling it around and adding a crochet flower and a button to somewhat cover it. Looks good to me.

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Go here for instructions to make your own. I altered it a bit.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl

1st Fabric Bowl Completed

Thursday, July 16

Done!! Not all giddy and chest thumping but OK, I’ll raise my hand and claim it’s mine. After all, it is my first one. It could stand a bit (HUGE bit) of improvement. I am already thinking of what NOT TO DO for the second one.

Don’t compare mine with the one at Craft Stylish. Night and Day. Mine being Night. It is larger, taller, the handles can barely be seen, one side is lopsided. But I like my Night. It is colorful and the colors are well blended. I think.

I used my new pinking shears. Big mistake!! What a mess. What was I thinking?? Unraveling edges everywhere. When I ran out of cut fabric strips, I abandoned the shears. Put them back on the shelf. I am not sold on cutting strips selvage to selvage. I think cutting on the bias might give them a cleaner look.

I didn’t time myself but once I got going, I kept at it for several hours. I am wondering if sewing would go faster if I sew the strips together before wrapping. If you make one, using the metal clips to hold fabric in place around the clothes line was a great tip. (I used thick macrame cord instead of clothes line.)

OK. Here it is. Ready for your critique. Be kind!!

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Go here for instructions to make your own bowl.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl

Making a Fabric Bowl

Monday, July 13

This is what I am working on today. Saw this fabric bowl on-line at Craft Stylish and loved it.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl

Here’s the fabric I am using. I probably should have selected more prints, patterns. But I like these together. We’ll see…

Instructions call for 50 feet of cotton clothesline. I checked several dollar stores but they were sold out. So… next best thing? Use some macrame cord instead. It is about the same diameter and soft enough to sew through. There’s plenty of it. 60 yards. Plus I don’t like the feel of this cord anyway. Too hard on my hands. I am happy to finally use it for something.

I hope it works. Wish me luck!!