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This is the method that I used to create my bowls.  They were stitched out on a Janome Memorycraft 300e. Please read through the instructions before commencing.

Firstly thread your machine up with embroidery thread, using the same colour top and bottom.  Use a form of water soluble film or stabiliser for your hoop. I think that it is a matter of experimentation as to whether you use the film or the opaque water soluble stabiliser and how many layers you use. You will soon find out what works for you/your machine. 

Once your machine is threaded up then you can commence stitching.  For pieces that use more than one colour, it is a matter of choice whether you change the bobbin thread or not to the new colour but I would recommend that you do as with bowls, both sides are likely to be visible.

Stitch out the required number of pieces, cut or tear them out of the water soluble backing, trim threads as appropriate.

Once you have all the pieces stitched out, the way I go about the next step is to put them into water to dissolve the backing. For a stiffer effect, do not soak for long. 

And then leave them to dry on a towel.

What I personally then do is steam press them into shape on the reverse.

However, most people prefer to stitch the pieces together before removing the water soluble film and some people would prefer not to press their work.  It is purely a matter of choice.  In fact, since writing these instructions back in 2004, I have changed my method and stitch out all the pieces and sew the bowl together before washing out the stabiliser, but I’ve just not had the time to re-do all the photos for the instructions.  

Once all the pieces are dry, stitch them together.

The way I went about it was to stitch the side panels together first.

I used a zigzag stitch and make sure the edges met but didn’t overlap.

Stitch the 6 panels together but leave the last seam.

Then take the base and stitch the base carefully to the side pieces.

And then finally stitch the remaining side seam.

You then have a finished bowl.

If the bowl seems a little soft/floppy, you can apply some spray starch.  I think my bowl could probably do with some but at the time of taking the photograph I didn’t have any. 

This design and these instructions are copyright Sue Gardner 2004.