Exquisite Eco Printed Bowls

It’s happened again… Creative ideas have collided and have become even better! I bet you can’t stop looking at them either! How amazing it is to have ‘Mother Nature’ join in these exquisite Eco Printed Bowls!

My Stock Pile of Eco Prints:

When I got organized I realized I had quite the inventory of Eco prints! I guess it happens when you get excited and keep printing & printing… and then there’s a whole collection! Many of these are actually the ‘iron blankets‘ from other prints and scarves. I especially like the neutrality of them mostly in the cream and grey tones. The prints are on cotton sheets with so much details and definition but that pairs well with the cotton rope. Often one section is better than others and this makes it perfect since you can then pick the area you like.

Since discovering how easy it is to make bowls I am combining other design elements into them. These bowls have a substantial centre made of eco printed fabric and FME (free motion embroidery) There is no rule of shape here either but I do like the simplicity of round shapes and how easy it is to find something to use as a template (plate, bucket, bowl)

One of my favourite ways to plan on fabric is with the erasable gel pens! They are heat sensitive so you can draw on the fabric and then at the end apply some heat in any form like and iron and it disappears. It choose the perfect area I like and then leave extra area until the next steps.

Let the machine help you:

The concept to having a good structure is having some layer(s). I like to use what I have like some industrial felt or wool coating; whatever will be thick enough to stiffen. It will gain even more stiffness once it is Free-motion Embroidered as well.

If you are scared to try it, let me say it’s not difficult at all. (I may need to make a general post ) It’s my form fun of racing… but not on a road. Check how your machine can add a free motion/darning foot and you’re pretty well ready. Before you know it you’ll be making your machine hum! Don’t get obsessed at being perfect… really, just follow the leaf veins or ones you imagine are there.

Look closely, it’s not that perfect! ‘But I love the charm it has and the texture that it makes! I’m hooked on FMW right now! (just wait and see). To finish the ‘shape’ I stitch a straight line very close to the edge and then cut very close to it. It allows the edges to be stabilized.

To further make sure the edges stay and do not fray the outer edge is satin stitched (very close zigzag) all around. It is now ready to be attached to the whatever the bowl will be…

Let the rope begin:

The end of the rope needs to be tapered to attach nicely in my opinion, so the end is cut on an angle.

To finish it off some white thread is wrapped tightly to a tapered point.

The proportion of the bottom of the bowl to the sides is your option. It can be a tray or plate as well, why not treat it as art and hang on the wall. It like to start at what I think the bottom of the image is and then follow round as usual with the bowl making.

As with the fabric bowls I think the subtle additions of some other strips accents the print nicely.

Again, I use up some of the iron blankets and cut them with the rotary cutter. Cutting on the bias (45º diagonal) will make sure that the fry does not happen. If the strips are thinner they allow more space between the wrap.

Handles of all kinds and shapes:

I was thinking… hmmm I would like to use some large beads in the handles. I was about to go out and look but thought it could have been quite a hunt. Thinking outside the box I also considered using something else like rolled industrial felt. Then I saw my roll of vinyl floor! I love how it cuts so easily with a knife and straight edge. It is the perfect aged wood-look!

I tried a glue gun but it didn’t hold that well so I used E6000 successfully.

The handles are easy to plan, with stopping the rope and then estimating how much you need to tie knots and thread on the beads. Handles can also be made with simple spaces left and rounding a couple more times.

The accent striping is random but that’s my choice. I hope you explore what speaks to you personally.

Each one is like a piece of art to me… no two can ever be the same. It’s impossible to pick a favourite.

As usual, I kept making a few more eco printed bowls since I’d see another great part of a print.

The other side:

I use a solid cotton on the bottom in a shade that will not be too sensitive to any stains. Technically these are made of washable materials so they should be able to endure wash as long as they don’t get thrown in a machine or dryer.

The first time an empty bowl is beautiful!

Handles built into the sides so easily.

Modern? Rustic? What’s your vibe? Do you chase the trend? What if you translate it to your own personal interpretation?

Hang them on the walls since they are actually art. A little hand sewn loop will be enough to hook a picture hanger.

…or maybe it’s to keep those birds from getting into mischief! Somehow they just looked so perfect in a bowl.

Have I made my point?! Tell me; how do you like these? I may have a few to offer if there’s some interest… or just need to keep them all to myself!