Leaf Bowls for Quilt Ontario 2011

Each year the Canadian Quilters Association holds a national conference in the spring with the location moving back and forth across the country. This year it will be held in London Ontario, May 24-28 at the University of Western Ontario. London is known as the "Forest City" and so the planning committee has chosen to tie this into their conference theme. They have asked Quilting Guilds across Canada to make and donate "leaf bowls" for the Gala Banquet in hopes of receiving enough to give one to each Banquet attendee. A local London quilt artist, Jill Buckley created the pattern, reflective of the Banquet theme "Branching Out".
Two fabrics are layered with a fusible web and Timtex or Flexi-firm between, before the leaf shape is cut out. The "bowl" is shaped by stitching up the four V shaped "darts"with a zigzag stitch. Addition of a stem is optional. Then the outer edges are satin-stitched. Simple as that! Here are several tips - I find it easiest to close the "darts" and stitch all around edges with a simple zigzag stitch first,then go around a second time with a closer zigzag/satin stitch. I find you get better coverage that way. And if you have trouble with the narrow tips, try using your awl to help hold the narrow bits. If there is still a tiny bit of white (Timtex) showing at the leaf tips, simply dot with a matching color permanent marker to color the white.
If your Guild has not considered making some of these bowls, please encourage them to do so. They are not at all difficult, and the Quilt Ontario Local Organizing Committee will appreciate your contribution to the success of Q.O. 2011. The pattern is available by contacting Christine Rachar at christine.rachar@rogers.com . Leaf bowls must be sent by end of March, so you still have time! I have stitched two bowls, and hope to do a few more before the deadline, to "up" our Guild's donation - we currently have 19 ready to go.
Edit: Thanks to Dolores for reminding me that the pattern and instructions for the Leaf Bowl are also available in the recent Spring 2011 issue of the Canadian Quilter, pages 14-16.

Come back tomorrow for Blue Monday and another blue finish...

Piece
Linda

Any day spent sewing is a good day!