A Pile of Sari Silk Bowls, Trivets & Coasters

Fiber & Textile Completed Projects
1

IMG_7506
IMG_75061892×1449 1.43 MB

I was stumped for what to make for the Gift Exchange at the Midwest Meetup, so I decided to dig around my stash to see if something sparked a fun idea. When I poked around my yarn drawers I found a skein of Sari Silk Ribbon Yarn from Darn Good Yarn. It’s made from strips of cloth from recycled saris, and the colors are so vibrant and glorious. I decided to show them off, by trying a craft I had been meaning to try for ages, making a rope bowl. I watched several YouTube videos on making the bowls, then dove in.

I started with an oval trivet, to get the hang of it.

IMG_7135
IMG_71351469×1696 1.41 MB

After that, I went on to a small/medium bowl. Both of these projects together became my Meetup gift.

IMG_7138
IMG_71383478×2495 1.75 MB

Meanwhile, my parents FaceTime often to see my daughter, and dad caught a glimpse of the bowl, and wanted one. I was out of ribbon yarn, and DGY was out of stock too! I decided to check eBay, and found 2 skeins with their tags, for just $20! Score! I created a new bowl for my dad. It came out a bit bigger than I was planning…

IMG_7503
IMG_75032975×2231 1.78 MB

IMG_7504
IMG_75042792×2094 1.71 MB

So after the first bowl for dad, I decided to make a second smaller one to nest inside it. I wasn’t sure what he’d want to use it for, but possibly something like a place for his wallet and keys. This way he had options, and I got to use up the last of the cotton clotheslinen rope! Win-win, right? Nope. I ran out of rope about 3 rows short of the top. I ran back over to Walmart where I got the first batch of clothesline, only to discover that they are renovating the store, and everything is torn apart, and in different areas! I ended up finding some more at Ace Hardware, though it was a slightly different size, and oval rather than round. Thankfully you can’t tell looking at it.

IMG_7501
IMG_75012743×2057 1.49 MB

IMG_7502
IMG_75022588×1941 1.39 MB

Here are the two next to each other for size comparison.

IMG_7505
IMG_75051894×1073 1000 KB

After the second bowl, and now that I had a second bundle of rope, and still had some sari silk, I decided to make a set of coasters. @sheepBlue made me some scrappy ones years ago, and we LOVE them. In fact, DH & I were arguing over them, because we both liked to walk away with them, so Em actually made us a second set, AND some trivets. We literally use them every single day, in multiple rooms, so I figured dad would love a set too.

IMG_7500
IMG_75002015×885 1.07 MB

My mom just redid her kitchen, in black and white with touches of purple, so I used a few purple jelly roll strips to make her a trivet too.

IMG_7498
IMG_74981367×1338 805 KB

Now I just have about 50-70 yards of rope to use up… :rofl: Guess I’m making more rope items for holiday gifts.

27 Likes
2

These are great. I love the bright vibrant colors. Useful crafts are always a win.

2 Likes
3

Those turned out great! The sari silk is so vibrant, I love it :heart:

1 Like
4

I love seeing these rope bowls…no two are ever alike and all turn out really fun and funky!

1 Like
5

These are so cute! And oh darn, too bad you have to make more. :crazy_face:

Were they hard on your machine/needle? I’m curious about doing these, but I worry about needles breaking and I’m wondering if my fears are unfounded.

1 Like
6

No filament in the rope and Microtex or titanium needles are what I use. I have never broken a needle making over 30 of these.

2 Likes
7

I used a fresh needle, and had no trouble whatsoever, over the whole set. The clothesline is all cotton and about 1/4”. Give it a shot! If you’re really worried, you can wear a set of safety glasses. :blush:

8

Such vibrant colors! Gorgeous!

1 Like
9

The meetup one is miiine, so it’s a good thing Dad gets his own :laughing:. Coasters are a great addition.

2 Likes
10

These are really pretty and vibrant!

1 Like
11

Ah-mazing! The colours are just incredible.

1 Like
12

The colours are spectacular! Great use of your stash to make such beautiful gifts.

1 Like
13

I have a hank of sari yarn from DGY that I have never put to use. Those trivets are calling my name!

I haven’t had the best luck making these types of projects. My old machine liked to skip stitches. But I don’t think I’ve tried with my new(er) (to me) Bernina. Inspired!

1 Like
14

The good thing about these, is you’d never notice a skipped stitch anyways. You can also use up random thread spools and bobbins, because it just adds to the scrappiness. I used up a bunch of black and navy spools and bobbins for the bowls, and like 4 different shades of purple thread on my mom’s trivet, and you really can’t tell.

You don’t need a specific needle type or size either. I mean, I wouldn’t recommend using the thinest, finest needle in your stash, but I’m guessing you don’t have any for stitching fine silk organza. An 80/12 Universal like you’d use for a quilt block would be perfect. Or even a size up or down from that. Just get some all-cotton clothesline, because if it’s part polyester, it could melt if someone puts something really hot on top.

15

The skipped stitches with my old machine were actually really noticeable. I attempted several fabric wrapped bowls, but was never happy with the results. :woman_shrugging: Time to try again!

2 Likes
16

I believe in you my Friend! (And your new machine!) :muscle: :thread: :heart:

17

Wow, I had to go back to look at the thread you used…what an excellent idea to use up those pesky leftover bits of threads on spools or bobbins!

1 Like
18

I hate partial spools, where it’s not enough for a whole project, but too much to throw out. Love getting to use them up!

2 Likes
19

These are so colorful and fun! I love the variety of colors and the usefulness of both bowls and coasters. What beautiful gifts for both of your parents!
I’ve been wanting to make coasters for awhile. I had been thinking of making small patchwork blocks, but rope coasters are such a fun idea and seems like it may actually get done a bit faster.
Do you subscribe to either the Urban Threads or Embroidery Library newsletters? They both have a bunch of embroidery designs for rope basket projects. EL is actually running a sale through today on their rope basket designs. Maybe they’ll have the perfect design for your remaining rope…
They’ve also sent out emails about a free rope basket course that Sulky will be hosting. I’ve been meaning to sign up, since it sounds like it will have a decent amount of information.

1 Like
20

I do get both newsletters, and saw that sale. I was nervous about whether my perfectly imperfect bowls, would be good enough to then embroider over. I didn’t see anything about the rope basket class from Sulky though. I must have missed that. I’d be way more willing to try, after seeing someone demo it.

1 Like