There are new books published every month from C&T Publishing (one of my affiliates), and one recently got my attention as something different. The illustrations on the cover attracted me, and I thought this would be a great way to use some of my collection of Japanese prints. So, during my last virtual retreat last Friday, I made one. As usual, the first one took quite a while, as I worked out my mistakes, and figured out the instructions. But the end result was nice, and I’ll be making another one soon.
I used the book Modern Fabric Art Bowls from C&T Publishing. It is available for those who like real books in their hands, as well as ebooks for those wishing to save space. The instructions are split between chapters, so you make the outside, then go to a different chapter for the inside, then a third to see how to finish it.
There are also several different ways of making this same pattern, and each has its own set of instructions. I chose the method that uses a single piece of fabric for the outside and inside. The instructions called for heavy weight, double sided fusible stabilizer, and the pattern is drawn on it, then the corners are cut using a template.
Start with fusing the heavy interfacing to the outside fabric. Use a teflon press sheet underneath to keep the other side from fusing to your ironing board. I think you could also use freezer paper under it to do the same.
Then, folding the piece in half, sew the first two seams. You are essentially making darts in the fabric.
Ah, well, this shouldn’t happen. I didn’t get my template cut evenly, so my stitching line went off track.
Using an edge joining foot, or a fagoting foot with a center bar to put the edge of the interfacing against, helped keep the lines straight. The heavy interfacing rode along the bar on the left side of the foot, keeping the stitching just off the edge.
Now the seam is right next to the interfacing, keeping the bulk out of the seam.
Trim the seam to 1/4-inch.
Then, follow the instructions to make the slightly smaller inside. The participants on the virtual retreat talked me into doing a contrasting inside, lighter in color to show off whatever I decide to put in it.
Those were fused, then the excess was cut off the edge at the same length as the interfacing.
Finish using the standard quilt binding technique like I did, or the alternate fold over method given in the book.
My second tip, using clips for turning the binding to the outside is much easier than pins.
I completed the bowl by hand.
So, here it is, holding the stones I got on our Gem Mine Drive with our MINI car club a couple of years ago.
But, the problem with doing that is you cannot see the beautiful fabric on the outside. So, I put the rocks back in their previous container, and placed the bowl on a higher shelf to see the outside better. The next one I make will have a prettier inside, more like the book shows.
Several more C&T Books have also caught my eye recently. Here are some quick reviews of a few more.
One Block Wonder Panel Quilts – This book builds on the very different and interesting idea of using multiple copies of the same panel, cutting part of it into one block wonder hexagons and combining those with panel elements to create a quilt. Using the methods described, you could make several quits from the same set of panels. There is a lot of advice on design and using coordinate prints for even more effects.
Create Landscape Quilts – A new and different way of creating collage quilts with realistic people. The technique uses tulle, and is well explained with illustrations of the author’s work. The advice on construction is easy to understand for both beginner and more advanced quilt artists. If you’ve ever wanted to do a quilt from a photograph, this book will step you through that process.
Gemstone Quilts – For the advanced quilter ready for a new challenge, this book breaks down how to make quilts that appear to be faceted gems. You’ll learn a lot about light and shadow, how to break down a photo of a gem into its component triangles and squares, advice on sewing y-seams, and more. There is also a great deal of information on gemstones as well, worked into the book’s lessons. It finishes with a sample project, but this book is not a project book. It teaches the quilter how to do this technique using their own inspirations.
I just got two new books on wool applique too, and I’ll get to those soon. Have you found a new book that inspires you?
Sharing – Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday
From My Carolina Home 
Looks like your bowl project was a success!
Just lovely fabric choice for your bowl! I recently got a Kim Diehl book where she combines patchwork and applique…could not resist. Will enjoy seeing what you do with wool applique too!
That looks like a fun project to try, and it turned out nicely! You always learn something whenever you try something new. I have several books on my shelf that I haven’t opened in a long time – I really should see what’s hidden inside them!
I just picked up my copy of Gemstone Quilts yesterday – lots more info in the book than I expected. Love the bowls. Very sophisticated. I have some of the heavy stabilizer left from making doll clothes hangers! Also went back to see your trip to Diamond back and the mine – Oh my! Beautiful. Thanks!
Your bowl looks lovely but I suppose if you want to enjoy the outer fabric you will have to use it on the inside as well. But your contrasting fabric is lovely too and the stones looked really good sitting on it.
Oh the dilemma. 🙂 You have to have just the perfect place to sit the bowl to be able to enjoy both the inner and outer at the same time! :))
Your bowl is very nice, Carole! I love that fabric you used!
Thank you so much for this book review. I just ordered the same book and am expecting it in about a week. I also was drawn to the gemstone quilt book and may be adding it to my library.
Ha! At my last physically attended retreat, I picked up a template from the ‘free to a new home’ table. It looks suspiciously like your interfacing. Said template has languished in a drawer for almost 2 years. Thank you for documenting your journey and the book info. This looks like a fun Sunday Afternoon Madness project!
Beautiful job on the bowl. Good tip to put your focus fabric on the inside so you can see it.
I love that fabric. Is that an Asian print?
What a cool concept! It turned out great!
Lovely bowl and great instructions!
Very pretty bowl. Any chance you can push the bottom up and make it reversible? Then your “pretty” fabric would be the inside.
What an interesting project! I think I have some similar Japanese prints in my stash that I haven’t been able to cut up yet. The bowl is a terrific way to showcase the print fabric. Thanks for linking up with TGIFF!
I love this, Carole!