Clothesline Hotpads
I made what I think is the last of these for now.
I’ve had a few comments from readers interested in making one. The book is called It’s a Wrap: Sewing Fabric Purses, Baskets and Bowls by Susan Breier. The author calls what I am making “plates”. I didn’t buy the book. A friend let me look at hers at retreat a few weeks ago.
If you don’t want to buy the book either, check out this online tutorial to make a bowl. To make the hotpads, just continue around flat instead of turning up the sides.
In making three of these I learned a few things not mentioned in the tutorial.
Batik strips do not work as well as other fabrics. The tight weave makes it harder to get a tight wrap.
If you have problems with the bobbin thread breaking, loosen the top tension one number.
I bought my clothesline at The Dollar Store. Some quilt shops sell it for about twice as much. Friends told me Walmart doesn’t carry it, but I never looked for myself.
One hank of clothesline made three hotpads with some left over. Mine measure 9.5, 9 and 7.5 inches across.
Prints create a more interesting look. I liked the stripes I used in the blue one and the green/white floral I used in the green one. I also preferred a monochromatic color scheme.
The first one took me a couple hours to sew, plus the time to cut strips. The last one took a little over one hour, including the time to cut the strips.
I have some ideas for adapting this technique to fit a project I set aside months ago. More on that later.
Thanks, Donna! Would you believe I think I have that book and only read as
far as the beginning "how to" and put it on the shelf. It looked too time
consuming, so I appreciate your mention of how long these took. I used to
make very similar bowls by hand before rotary cutters by ripping strips and
winding around the softer home dec piping. Now THAT was time consuming!!