For awhile I’ve been using 3/16 inch all-purpose cotton clothesline rope for making my bowls. Recently I tried 3-ply cotton. For any of you interested in making rope bowls I thought it would be good to show you the difference. At the end of this post is a short video to show you exactly what I’m talking about. If you are receiving this post via email you will need to come to the blog to view the video.
I have dyed both cord with the same dyes in the same fashion. You can see here how I dyed them. The one on the left is the 3/16 inch all purpose rope. On the right is the 3-ply cotton.
Here is a closer look at the 3/16 rope bowl.
Here’s a closer look at the 3-ply cotton.
This 3-ply cotton is much thicker so it’s a bit challenging getting it under the sewing machine foot. I tried several times on my Brother. After breaking a needle I returned to my old Elna which was a breeze to sew this thick cord.
Here is a inside of the bowl.
The 3-ply cotton cording is much stronger. It’s even strong enough to be used as a purse or a tote. The 3/16 inch cording is used to make bowls where you cover the cording with strips of fabric which makes it less flexible and more stable.
As I mention on the video, when dyeing the 3-ply, the dye doesn’t seem to want to go all the way through the cord so you will see some white. That can be bad or good depending on what you want. I like how the white gives it a different look.
I’ll leave you with the video comparing the two bowls. Have a great day!
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Nice post, Lynda! I have found that sealing my bowls with the Clear acrylic sealer I get at the local building supply store really helps to stiffen the all-purpose rope bowls I make. They end up pretty rigid, so they are functional as well as decorative, and the sealer protects the surface from stains. I’m not sure if this would be an issue with your dyed cord – do you rinse the cord or wash out after the dye has set? If not, there could be bleeding issues with the sealer.
Judy, Thanks! You’re bowls are going to be stronger than mine even without the sealer due to all of the fabric. I really don’t want to change the texture of the bowl by sealing it. I think if I wanted to make more with the clothesline that I need to get a thicker cord. As for dyeing, I dye the rope just like dyeing clothes except wash by hand with lots of rinsing. They are so strong I don’t see any reason to seal them. Again, to me that would take away from the texture. However, if I were selling them, that would be something I would consider.
Beautiful and clever. And your header is stunning.
Linda, Thank you! And thanks for dropping by.
I love these colorful bowls and coasters you make!
Dolly, Thanks!
I am an experienced dyer and I have dyed the Gypsy Quilter rope multiple times: first without scouring, second with scouring, third overdyeing with concentrated dye. All gave me pale colors. I suspect they either have a coating that doesn’t come off with scouring or are not 100% cotton as labeled. I was looking for which rope you use. I believe you use a different brand as your wrapped rope is soft and the GQ is stiff like the twisted rope. Have you looked for a stiffer wrapped rope or skinnier twisted? Any other thoughts?
Hi Barb,
I would suspect it’s not 100% cotton or there is some poly in it or there is a coating. (I’ve had that problem with coating with one of my hubby’s shirts he bought for me to dye.) When I started making rope bowls I used whatever 100% cotton I could find locally but then switched to https://www.knotandrope.com. They have a variety of 100% cotton and it’s great quality. I recently bought some rope from the Mountain Thread Company but I haven’t used it yet since my old Elna is out of commission. I can’t get my Babyloc to play with the rope. One of those were 3/16 which is pretty skinny. Come to think of it, it may work on my Babyloc just haven’t tried. When I found that first website, I just quit looking since they have such a great variety of rope and you can buy as much as you want on some of them.