Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Use It Up with Island Batik Ambassador Alumni

The current and past Island Batik Ambassadors have remained friends, and have a private group on Facebook.  I'm still current, and have lots of stash left, but feel really bad for those who are close to the end of their fabric supply, provided to the Ambassadors by Island Batik.  I hope they're not jealous of me, lol. I have a tote-full left, and have 3 patterns to make for Fall Market, too. 

Anyway, Patti Bochey suggested this fun hop, sharing scrap projects, and I jumped in!  Then I had a time crunch (caring for Mom, and other issues).  I had made 2 clothesline baskets for the Island Batik March New Technique challenge, and had a bit of the clothesline left.  I grabbed some 2 1/2" strips left from the Zen collection (I designed a pattern for it, and had a few scraps left from making the cover quilt).  I do love this line.  The blues are so pretty.  So, I grabbed some strips, some other scraps, and the rest of the clothesline, along with a small spool of light blue Aurifil 40wt Mako cotton thread.  

 
I cut the fabric scraps into 3/4" strips, and grabbed a Lapel Stick washable glue stick, to join the ends as I wrapped the clothesline.  Wrap, glue on new strip, wrap.  I should have grabbed a few Clover Wonderclips, too, as I was wrapping while watching TV with Mom.  I decided to start with the darker strips, then add the aqua, light blue, and end with more darker blues.  
 Change the needle to a 14 Jeans needle, put a different foot on the machine, thread with Aurifil 40wt, and start sewing the rope together, and form a circle.  Actually sewing and forming the basket is fun, and doesn't take much time. 
 I wasn't sure how big I was going to get with this one, since I didn't have a lot of the clothesline left, so when I got to the aqua color strip, I started curving toward the side, forming the basket.  It's about 4 1/2" this time (last time was closer to 6").  Just keep zigzagging the coil together.  

Yes, these can get addicting.  It's a fun way to use scraps, and come up with something different and useful.  This bowl ended up about 8 1/2" wide at the top, and about 3 3/4" high.  It's so pretty!  I do plan to purchase more of the rope.  I got 3 good size baskets out of 100 feet.  I think these would make some great gifts, and it's a good way to use scraps of any type of fabric.  

Oh, yeah, this was a new spool of Aurifil 40wt when this bowl was started.  I wound 2 bobbins, and used one and half the second, and have this much left on the spool.  When I order the clothesline, I need to order more 40wt thread, too.  Big spools. Yup, addicting. 

Check with the other Alumni to see what they did to use up their scraps.  

Monday, April 16, 2018


Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Mary Macks Blog (Thanks for visiting!)


Wednesday, April 18, 2018


Thursday, April 19, 2018 


Friday, April 20, 2018

Saturday, April 21, 2018 



Sunday, April 22, 2018 

Leave a comment and I'll pick someone for some Island Batik fabric.  It's so hard to choose, so you'll just have to be surprised.  Have you tried making a clothesline bowl?  What size do you think would be practical for you? Also, please follow my blog! Thanks for visiting.

25 comments:

Turid said...

Such a lovely bowl. I've looked at these bowls for a while, and have to try them some day.

Lemon Tree Snippets said...

I love this! What a terrific way to use up those small scraps. These make such lovely gifts too.

Sandi1100 said...

Your bowl is lovely! We had a class in my quilt guild on making bowls but I missed the class. I may have to try it.

Kathy E. said...

Such a cool bowl made with batiks! It will be so useful for so many things! I did make a clothesline bowl back in college when I took a weaving class...waaaay back in the 80's. But instead of fabric, we would the clothesline with yarn. I still have that crazy bowl somewhere in storage. I need to try out your idea!

Sharon Aurora said...

Great way to use up the strips.

Marian said...

Oh My Goodness Maryellen, these are awesome. I have some questions tho as I'd love to try this myself. What stitch on your machine do you use? Is that a wide zigzag? Is there a pattern? A video on the walk thru? I to think this would be a fun project when I'm even just downstairs waiting for a cake to bake... or spending time with the hubby. :) Love Love Love these bowls.

@lutzcats said...

Wow...that's just beautiful!

Sewgirl said...

Wow! That bowl is just gorgeous!! I keep wanting to make one and get distracted with so many other things. Thanks for reigniting the motivation to make one again!!

Angie said...

What a cool bowl. I'd like to make a small one. Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

It's a lovely blue basket. I used to make these with my sister, but we never sewed anything with a needle, just wrapped by hand and it stayed together as we wrapped the next cord (a 3/4-inch cord, not a clothesline) every few wraps. They are addictive!

Beth said...

Every time I see these bowls, I think of several dozens uses for them, from holding keys to corralling jelly rolls. I love them! But I know that if I started to make them, I'm about as likely to gather all the supplies and then get tired and not ever actually begin making them or start making them and get side-tracked and fall even further behind on my quilt-making. So I'd best leave it to the very efficient, extra-organized, or super-energetic, none of which are me. :)

JANET said...

Love your bowl!! I'm going to have to try to make one, now.

Lori Smanski said...

wow your bowl is wonderful. making one is on my to do list. life has stepped in right now. i would love to make a medium sized bowl to start with. I follow you on email and FB

Lisa England said...

What a fabulous bowl! I have never made one, but this post makes me interested in giving it a try. I might like small bowls, because small is always cute, right?

Jayne said...

I've never tried this but it looks really interesting

OhioLori said...

LOVE your Bowl!! what a great idea for scraps..& clothesline! :) I haven't made before..but on my "Gotta Make!" list now for sure! Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too :)

Kathy Kinsella said...

Very cute bowl ... i keep meaning to try to make one!

MonkeyMuffin said...

So pretty and so useful! (my two favorite things) You may have inspired me to try my hand at a bowl. How do you keep the curved sides even?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful bowl! I haven't made one yet, but making one is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

Donna Croff said...

Love the fabric bowl. Blue is my favorite color. I've been tempted to try one; I think you may have convinced me to try. Thank you!

Pamela said...

Love your bowls, I really need to try making these someday!

Quilting Tangent said...

Pretty bowl! 24Tangent@gmail.com

Robin said...

Love the bowl, especially the color. My favorite color! no less.

Kelly Dee said...

Your bowl turned out very pretty!

Anonymous said...

I love your bowl! I haven't tried to make one yet! I think I should definitely try to make one soon!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com