Don't know how old this idea is or who created it. I saw one at a client's house Mon. If you recognize it from an old craft magazine let us know, please.

It is made of two different fabrics [top and bottom] with buckram inbetween for stability. As best I can tell, you cut out a 5-petaled large flower [depending on size
serving "basket" you want] including circle in center as part of the first template; and two circles of scrap fabric to match the center circle of the center, making a second template. Not sure if there was buckram between the circles and petals as well. In any case it stood upright on it's own and seemed plenty sturdy for rolls and such, or napkins for a picnic etc. I saw lots of possibilities.

Here's how I figured it was put together. The three-layered template of petals was stitched together using satin stitch on machine so no need to turn it right side out after stitching. Then, using single stitch, lots of contrasting thread lines were stitched from the outer edge of circle up into the petals about 1/3 of the distance and in a slightly fanned pattern. That gave a floral look.
Kind of like the radiating yellow "signal" in an iris although the flower petals were rounded instead. iris

Then the circles were satin-stitched in place at the top and bottom of the server while it's still flat.

Finally, you would fold the petals up and slightly overlap two, regular stitching in place a short distance at overlapping edge to connect them in an upward direction to form the bowl of the server. Continue with the next petal, attaching to the other side of the petal you just stitched. Continue this until you have a cupped flower bowl server of material. It would be shaped like this, but more colorful. flower bowl shape I think you might even spray it with a stain-repellant product like Scotch-Guard©.

I can't tell you how lovely and clever it looked. The "key" to this one is the crafter used an almost solid contrasting color fabric for the "back" of the petals and used a small floral pattern for the top-side. But a subtle two-shade fabric would be spectacular too. Then those radiating lines were in bright yellow. The satin-stitching was a matching color to one in the print. I would have trimmed the "whiskers" better or used seam sealer product. And loving more realistic look, if I had solid colored fabric for center top, I'd have used that instead of a contrasting print. But the "prim" look would be to use up scraps of fabrics.

If anyone has a picture of such a creation, maybe they'd post it here.

I have that project on the back burner to make for my DGD's hopechest, she turns 16 this Aug.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LFCMamoAZ ' )>,

Sounds interesting. Here's some pretty ones I found doing a search for 'fabric flower bowl'.
Don't know if any are like you saw, but they are pretty.

http://www.fabricartbyconnie.com/g-flower.html

And a book. I think this author has several in this series.

http://softexpressions.com/software/books/FabricBowl.php#fasB

Nancy Zieman has demonstrated the construction of these bowls on her PBS show over the past few years. I tried making one, didn't turn out too bad, gave it as a gift. The center stabelizer is call Timtex and makes the bowl very sturdy. They are assembled with satin stitching.

You can get the necessary items to do them from her website, books, templates, etc.
NancysNotions.Com

Thank you both!!!! for the info. And yes, those pix linked are like the one I saw...esp. #1162. I can't believe Google Images let me down with using that phrase. I thought that's one of 3 I used.
I know that Simplicity has a pattern for such baskets but they are not flower petals; being more like 4 diamond shapes. WalMart has a heavy fabric stiffener I may use as they no longer sell buckram. I'll check out the name TimTex. I also got from WalMart an orange/pink/purple batik with a little gold over-swirl that I intend to use. the great part is that the reverse side is muted but as lovely as the front so I plan to use "front and back" with a solid color circle in center and contrasting or darker-hued petal lines.

I already figured out how to make them, just coudn't find a pix to post to show others. I prefer the 5-petal as more pleasing to the eye in odd-numbers. From those who've made them, any special tips?

here's some made from the Simplicity Pattern #4506
fabric bowls, scroll down to the pink on black fabric. And here's the pattern
Simplicity 4506

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LFCMamoAZ ' )>,

Those are beautiful ... and what a great idea!
I'm gonna have to give this a try when I get my new sewing machine. Tfs...

I have these on my "to do" list.

I was browsing around, looking for free machine embroidery designs and projects, and found some LACE bowls made the same way. They are gorgeous!

You will have to register for a free newsletter to see the designs, but they have a lot of great projects that you could probably do without necessarily having an embroidery machine.

To register, go to www.secretsof.com

To see the lace bowls, go to www.secretsof.com/content/1859

Those are beautiful and look like fun to make! MsSippi, Love the site you posted! I found it the other day while looking for free machine embroidery patterns and those lace projects are beautiful! And I agree, many could be made from fabric, doilies, or lace tablecloths.

My mother in law made these for my daughter's wedding center piece and we put candy in them. She made 40 of them for a wedding reception of 400. These are really pretty.
DJ

Very pretty! I used buckrum to line a purse and after some use the buckrum runs out of its stiffness. It cant stand much movement but the timtex or Peltex is much better for this. Just so you wont be upset after a few uses of your flower.

thimblelady, glad for the info, my buckram bonnet brim held up for years until I had to use bleach one day...droopcity.

I have some of that "Stiffy" stuff that you use to stiffen fabric, and if it's still any good, I plan to use that.

I think, though, that I need to make something to use as a "mold" to dry the lace bowl on. I'm going to use some foam-core board, covered with foil to make a "basket" to put the lace bowl on for drying after I stiffen it.

I made some of these bowls a few years ago. I ordered a book from Crafter's Choice, "fast,fun,& easy fabric bowls",by Linda Johansen. I used timtex as the stiffener between my 2 fabrics. They weren't hard to make. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of mine. I gave them to my daughter who lives in England.
Patty