It's a Wrap: Sewing Fabric Purses, Baskets, and Bowls

This is the first time I've reviewed a craft book, though I have a history of buying many and never really using them. I had to write to add my recommendation for this book to those others have written. The directions in this book are so clear and the project pictures so inspirational that I immediately went to work to make my first bowl. That was followed in the same day by another. I had a full box of fabric I considered "too ugly" to use for any quilts, but I dug into it and found it had new life as bowl material. In fact, the ugliest fabric I used looked fantastic when cut into strips and wrapped around the clothesline into the bowl's "coils." (Note: finding the clothesline in a local store is the hardest part of making these bowls. Be sure to do some comparison shopping before purchasing your clothesline. I found mine at Wal-Mart for less than a quarter of the price it was at the hardware store). You do not need a fancy sewing machine to make these bowls. Any machine that does a zig-zag stitch will work. I decided to use my Bernina's walking foot after some experimentation, but it certainly isn't necessary to be successful. I am already thinking about my next bowls and the great gifts they will make for birthdays and Christmas. The possibilities for embellishment are endless. I am already imagining how I can twist funky yarns or metallic floss around with the fabric to create a whole new surface texture. Also, don't feel like you are limited to using 100 percent cotton on these bowls. On my second bowl I used a metallic-looking lame and some thin velvet strips and they were gorgeous. I plan to do some beading to really make this bowl zing. You are only limited by your imagination in making these bowls your own individual creations. I don't consider myself an "artist." I usually need clear instructions to get a project going. But on these bowls I really felt like I created something special right from the get-go. I recommend this book and the bowls very highly.

I bought this book after seeing a demo in a craft group. I am totally in love with the projects in this book. It is a very simple technique with awesome results. If you can put a machine on zigzag stitch then you can make these. Cord, wrap with cloth strips, sew. That easy. A little bit of shaping and holding at an angle can change a flat piece quickly into a bowl or bag. So fun.Takes no time at all to make small projects like coasters to small candy dishes on up to baskets and bags. Great way to use up scraps of fabric too.

I needed this book for an upcoming class I am taking. I am still reading through it, but absolutely love what I have seen so far. Love all the different bowls, shapes of bowls that can be made. Thank you! Now I feel like I will have a little more understanding about the hows and whys when I take my class....

Step by step instructions are clear and complete. I've made two projects and I've had ok results. Following the instructions is easy, but there is definitely some practice needed before you have a good looking product like they show you in the book. The projects also take a lot of time. Between cutting the strips, wrapping the cord, and sewing the project, I was surprised at how much time is invested.

I took a one-day class in making rope baskets by sewing machine and was so excited at the versatility of this craft that I wanted to learn more. This book has great ideas.

If you are someone that enjoys the visual beauty of these creations along with easy to follow instructions, this book is for you. Authors make a mistake of not providing a lot of photos. This book is filled with gorgeous photos. So glad I purchased it.

Great book with clear and easy to understand directions to construct a rope bowl.

This book explains the steps to take in making fabric wrapped baskets from clothesline as the base upon which to build on. Weather you make a purse, a vessel or a basket by following the instructions you will be successful! This book is well written! Arrived in a timely manner. Very helpful in creating the item👍

Dieses Buch enthält ausführlich bebilderte Beschreibungen für das Umwickeln von Wäscheleine mit Stoffstreifen und anschließendes Zusammennähen zu Schalen, Körben, Untersetzern u.v.m. Die Autorin Susan Breier schickte mir auf Anfrage ein Foto der von ihr verwendeten Schnur, denn ich wollte keine aus Amerika beziehen, sondern aus Deutschland kaufen. Ein Foto dieser Art fehlte leider in diesem Buch. Über ein großes Internetauktionshaus ;o) fand ich auch eine entsprechende Schnur und warte nun darauf, dass ich endlich Zeit habe, mal meine Nähmaschine auszupacken, es kribbelt in den Fingern ...

Another well written book full of excellent tutorials and projects. Great explanations and how-to. I don’t wrap much and this book’s project are entirely wrapped. Hence the name! But techniques and projects are great even if using just plain rope.

Peu de commandes ont suscité en moi tant d'anxiété. Il me fut livré dans les délais habituels, c-à-d vite, mais j'avais hâte de l'avoir en main. Je l'avais feuilleté plusieurs fois chez Amazon.com, visité le site de l'auteur, commandé et reçu le cordon nécessaire à l'ouvrage. Et je ne suis pas déçue, bien au contraire, enthousiasmée: ce livre me passionne, par son concept, sa présentation,les photos, les explications, les modèles: tout est parfait. J'ai lu la notice concernant l'auteur, une dame à la retraite trop vite, a décidée d'évaluer tout ce qu'elle savait mieux faire, liste dans laquelle, la couture venait en tête, et après avoir fait du patchwork, elle a dérivé vers ce travail avec le tissu. Et elle a très bien fait, car la technique s'apprend facilement ,et tous les modèles que le livre propose sont une petite merveille. Variés dans leur forme ,leur décoration et leurs finition. Paniers, corbeilles, coupelles, sacs, plateaux, dans un défilé de tissus multicolores très agréables aux yeux. Les modèles sont accompagnés des photos de très bonne qualité, et la technique avec des dessins qui se passent de commentaires pour ce qui ne se sentiraient pas à l'aise avec l'anglais. Le matériel de base est le tissu, et un cordon (je l'aie acheté chez Amazon.com, mais les frais de port sont très importants), et une fois que vous maîtrisez la technique, à vous de créer le modèle qui vous plaira. Pour les décorations, l'auteur propose des perles, des broderies, des poignées diverses, en tissu, en bois, avec des boutons, fleurs, applications en tissus, broderies, etc. Il n' y a aucune qui se répète, toutes jolies, et vous pourrez créer la votre, personnelle. Un livre à mettre en pratique dès que possible, et à vous le monde de la créativité.

Detailed methods of work, clear instructions with lovely pictures - want to make them all..../

Beautiful book. Highly recommend the author.