Choose a form that's the size and shape of your desired bowl.
Turn the bowl or vase upside down, and measure from one rim, over the bottom, to the opposite rim. If the resulting measurement is smaller than the fabric-sandwich diameter, the bowl edges will flare outward when the fabric hits the work surface. If the form is the same size or larger than the fabric sandwich, the sides won't flare.
Another option is to hold the form off the work surface to shape and mold the bowl edges.
Also consider the size of the mold's bottom. A wide bottom will shorten the fabric bowl's sides; a narrow bottom lengthens them.
Vary the bowl shapes by selecting different molds. Dollar stores often have plastic containers, bowls and jars with rounded or flaring sides.
Foam Facts
Before working on an actual bowl, test-sew a foam scrap to see how it feels.
If it's difficult to move the foam through the machine, try a walking or Teflon foot, reduce the presser-foot pressure, or gently pull the foam-and-fabric sandwich behind the presser foot to help it feed evenly.
The two foams react differently when heated, so you have more design choices. Softsculpt becomes a bit thinner but maintains its overall size, while craft foam thins and definitely shrinks.
If the fabric isn't secured at the foam edges, it may hang loose after heating.
Use the foam's shrinkage to create wonderful textured effects. Space the stitching farther apart to create billowed or puffed fabric after heating.
Stitched parallel lines or echo quilting will produce raised fabric channels. This enables you to create 3-D effects on your bowls.
Craft-foam sheets are available at any large craft store, such as JoAnn, Michaels or AC Moore.
Fabulous Fibers carries fibers to use for embellishment. Call (724) 355-5050 or visit www.fabulousfibers.com for local retailer information, or to purchase online.
Debra Gash lives in Rochester Hills, MI, with her husband, son, daughter and pets. She creates artwork on her sewing machine because she doesn't care to follow instructions. Contact Debra at dgash@bucksbaum-gash.com.
The two foams react differently when heated, so you have more design choices. Softsculpt becomes a bit thinner but maintains its overall size, while craft foam thins and definitely shrinks.
