This Fabric Trick or Treat Bowl is fun to make from clothesline and fabric strips. I joined the coils with a simple zigzag stitch on my sewing machine. My open toe appliqué foot (Bernina #20) allowed great visibility for joining the coils. This bowl measures about 12 inches across and 5 inches high – big enough for a Costco-sized bag of candy! I used 1/2 yard each of three different cotton prints. One became the base of the bowl, and then the other two formed the sides. Stitch with your choice of matching or contrasting thread. You can see in the picture (below), I sewed with black thread on the grey coils; you can see how the stitches join the fabric-wrapped clothesline.
To start, tear fabric strips about 1-inch wide. The torn edges add textural interest to the project. (Side note: this project is a great use for “ugly” fabric. The print is obscured when you wrap so all you see is color.) Wrap the first fabric strip around about 12 inches of the clothesline, securing each end with a binder clip. Curl the end like a snail to start the bottom of the bowl.
When you have a circle about 3/4-inch wide, sew an X across the disk to secure the center of your bowl’s base. Then stitch with a wide zig zag stitch to join the fabric-covered clothesline round and round. Make sure you sew with the growing circle to the left of your needle. Your bowl will need room to grow!
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Stitch round and round until the base of your fabric bowl is the size you’d like. As you near the end of each fabric strip, add another and continue to wrap and stitch. I changed the fabric when I was ready to make the sides of the bowl, but you can change it up wherever you like or use one fabric for the project.
To start the curve that begins to form the sides, use your left hand to tip the base until it rests on the side of your sewing machine’s frame. Then keep wrapping and stitching! It may feel awkward at first. It’s okay to adjust your hands as you go – just be sure to use your needle-down function if your machine has it!
When your bowl is the size you want, cut the clothesline and wrap the end, leaving a 2-inch fabric tail. Stitch to the end of the cord, then twist the fabric end and stitch it down.
This technique can make any size bowl or container. Here is the finished fabric trick or treat bowl filled with candy and waiting for the trick or treaters!
Check out all of our Halloween DIY ideas on Create Whimsy!
