The thicker the tweed, the better the bowl will hold its shape. To make bowls in a variety of sizes (ours are 5 to 14 inches long), reduce or enlarge the template. The bowls can be spot-cleaned as needed.
1. Download the oak-leaf bowl template, resizing as desired, and print onto card stock. Cut out template.
2. Cut 3 equal rectangles large enough to accommodate template: 1 from wool tweed, 1 from fusible webbing, and 1 from felt. Stack layers, with webbing in middle. Iron, following webbing manufacturer's instructions.
3. Lay template on felt side of fused fabric; trace with a disappearing-ink pen. Cut out leaf.
4. Using a sewing machine, create darts by sewing closed each of the 5 V-shaped notches, using a zigzag stitch and working from inside of notch to edge of leaf (do not overlap fabric; instead, align edges and stitch). Trim any threads or frayed edges.
I tried four times to get the complete instructions - no luck! I'll move on -- there are too many projects out their to be discovered to waste my time here!
I think the sugar solution was part of the instructions back in 2008 from the looks of the older postings. If you watch the video, it is very simple. @Lakelady10 do you have Adobe Reader installed on your computer? That is the format the templates are filed in, so that maybe part of the uploading problem...good luck!
I think Stiffy would probably work well, too, if it's still on the market. I've never really had any success with the sugar solution mess...probably best that none of us can get that part to load!! :))
Apparently I still do not have all of the instructions, as I have NOTHING about a sugar solution. Sheesh!! What is the problem here?????
I had to exit and reload this item several times before I could get all of the instructions and the template. I don't know what the problem is, but it happens frequently with this site. It is VERY frustrating.
Did no one locate the full instructions? How frustrating.
Instead of a sugar solution, how about a starch solution for stiffening larger projects?
where do I find part two I can not find it.
I made this and it is a very simple project. The fabric I used was not wool, but a thinner fabric with a tweed sort of pattern. My bowl is very sturdy and is about 6 inches long. You can see it on my blog http://blog.marthaandme.net
How do we see part 2 of sewing the bowl?
OK, I figured it out. :) A little slow today.
I don't understand Step #4. Are you merely making a dart on the BACK side of the leaf to shape it? If so, why the zigzag stitch???
Try www.pacificfabrics.com for wool. I know they have some plaids and that would look cool, too.
Go to thrift stores for old tweed suits, and skirts to cut up for material. Vintage shops would probably have them, too, but you will pay a 'pretty penny' there !!
I have been all over the fabric district in downtown LA and cannot find a scrap of wool tweed! Does anyone know where I can find it?
Pehaps you could use a liquid fabic stiffener for the larger sizes. My mother used a sugar solution to get her antique doilies to stifen up and she would dry them over inverted bowls. I think you could do the same with this pattern and see how large you can go. Hit the remnent rack for cheap fabric to practice.
I think you should use a heavier stabilizer in between the fusible web. Upper fabric-fusible web- heavy duty stabilizer-fusible web-bottom fabric.
I think it would be nice in leather!
I wonder how big you could go and it remain stable. I would love to make one up for a friend to put her balls of yarn in. It would make a great decoration even then.
Maybe spraying with scotch-grade after it's done would help protect it from staining [ I wouldn't use it for food ]
Great Fall homey idea beekats