I’ve been bowling again and having so much fun! I’ve always wanted to try “thread painting” a clothesline bowl, so I did! I made two and I’m really pleased with the way they turned out. (Click each image to see it larger.)
I hate to tell you that you don’t need my PowerWraper, or my hand-dyed clothesline to make this bowl. All you need is cotton clothesline and a boatload of thread.
Here are just some of the bobbins I emptied making two “thread painted” bowls.
I started with a 100-foot length of clothesline and a 3,000-yard spool of variegated cotton thread (30 weight) which I used as the “top” thread for the entire project.
I zigzagged the clothesline from one end to the other three times emptying a dozen or more bobbins with leftover thread on them from all sorts of projects. Some had just a few yards, others were full. I reloaded about 10 more spools from spools of thread that were at least three-quarters gone. I couldn’t believe how much thread that clothesline ate!
Then, I cut the line in half and make two medium-sized bowls. They measures about 8″ in diameter and roughly 3.5″ tall. Here’s the second one.
When I coiled and zigzagged the bowls together I kept the bobbin thread somewhat consistent. I used a variegated blue for the bowl first bowl pictured which gave me a lighter inside and a darker outside. I’m loving the two-toned bowl idea, something else I’ve been wanting to experiment with more.
I also used the same blue bobbin for the sides of the second bowl. I used a variegated orange/pink/green thread in the bobbin for the bottom of the bowl. It kind of reminds me of my Revere-ware copper bottom pots in the kitchen. You know, the ones I never use.
And, because I’m really hoping the weather warms up (and dries out) so I can dye the first batch of clothesline of the season (and the underpants) I started prepping the rope. It won’t be long now!
Meanwhile, I’ll be teaching the Fabric BOWLing workshop for the Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club in Sequim, Washington on April 25th. There are still a few spaces left. Check AmiSimms.com for more details.
Through The Eyes Of A Quilter 
They look as good online as in person. I can’t wait to try this. I was amazed at how fast you did this.
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What did it take? 90 minutes?
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Wow, those are gorgeous! What a beautiful way to use up old thread. Thanks for the inspiration, Ami!
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You’re welcome!!
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They are beautiful bowls. I just don’t have the patience/thread to devote to such a project.
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Way less investment than a quilt…..I’m just saying…..
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wow Ami it is so lovely!!
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Thanks, Ann!
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I am so bummed — I lived in Seattle area for 5.5 years and you never came — now that I’m back in Nebraska, you are in Sequim — hope the lavender plants are blooming and you enjoy!
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The lilacs are blooming for sure. Check out my video:
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And I think I’ll be in Nebraska this year!
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Ami, you never cease to amaze me! I just finished my first “bowl” using your PowerWrapper ~fantastic tool! ~ and now I’ll HAVE to make one with variegated thread :)
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First you gotta send me a picture of you’d bowl so I can brag on you a little! :).
Amisimms at AOL.
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I’m intrigued! I’ve been making the fabric strip coiled clothesline bowls but this is the first I’ve seen this technique. Your bowls are beautiful, I love your finish scrolling, and it looks like they are nice and firm (ridgid). Many of the fabric strip bowls I’ve seen tend to droop. I twist mine tightly when I wrap the fabric. Does the 3x zig zag compensate enough or do you have some other hint or secret for achieving a tight firm bowl? I’m going to have to give this a try!!
Almost giddy thinking about using up all those bits of bobbin thread
: > )
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The tighter the zigzag when you coil and stitch, the more rigid the bowl.
It’s was way fun, just wind a boatload of bobbins!
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I LOVE your bowls! I’ve tried my hand at this with fabric strips (Like Chris W. above) I agree about the beautiful scrolled detail…gorgeous. What stymies me is the stiffness of the new clothesline…tough on needles. I think I need to soak or weather the line before I use it. I’ve also used old clothesline…recycled it so to speak. I wish you were local..I’d take a class in a heartbeat!
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Diana,
Check the clothesline I offer on my website: http://www.amisimms.com
It’s 100% cotton. Not sure what you are using, but a 90 needle is essential.
As for not being local: have quilts, will travel. Check my teaching schedule at amisimms.com
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When you zig-zag onto the rope, does it go over the edges or stay “within” the rope?
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The zigzag has to hit BOTH pieces of clothesline otherwise you can’t get them to stay together. I have a tutorial here on my crocheted rims that will also show you how to sew the clothesline.
https://amisimms.com/botu.html
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I have a quick question. When you first zig zag on the clothsline, does the needle pierce the rope? Or does it straddle It? I know when you make the bowl that the needle goes from one rope to the one beside it, but I am confused as to how you first put the thread on to the rope. Looks like a fun way to make a bowl and would be faster than wrapping. Fran D.
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My machine pierces the clothesline, but I’m sure there are machines that have a wide enough zigzag that the needle would not pierce the clothesline. I think either way would be acceptable.
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Love this idea.
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Where can I buy your PowerWrapper?
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Sorry, they are no longer being manufactured.
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