Fabric Bowls
Materials
Elmer’s Art Paste
scissors
5”-9” balloon
masking tape
plastic tub container
poster board
matte medium
Optional: beads, feathers

When talking to people about making art as children and what they liked about it, most say they remember a papier mache project that they made and how much fun it was; many of them (or their parents) still have the project they created. Make this your last summer project before you head back to school.

This art activity provides an alternate way to use papier mache paste with fabric instead of paper, creating a beautiful fabric bowl. One of the benefits of fabric over paper is the ability to choose different patterns and colors of fabric, eliminating the need to paint. This is also a good way to use up odd pieces of fabric and old favorite clothing that has been outgrown or is worn out.

Process
Mix the Elmer’s Art Paste (as instructed on box) in a container with a lid for later use. Select your fabrics—cotton and cotton/polyester blends work the best, flimsy fabrics and stretchy polyester fabrics do not work well.

Cut fabric into pieces approximately 2”x3”, and cut enough pieces to cover 2/3 of the balloon. Some of the fabric may be cut into circles, triangles, etc. to make a pattern.

Blow up the balloon and use two pieces of masking tape to attach it to a plastic tub (tied end in the container), creating a form for your bowl. Use a permanent marker to make a line around the balloon about 2/3 of the way from the rounded end. At this point, your bowl form is upside down and the line is indicating the lip of the bowl.

Using your hands, smear the paste on the rounded end of the balloon. Dip a piece of fabric in the bowl of paste, thoroughly saturating it. Use your fingers to take off the excess paste. The first layer of fabric will create the inside of the bowl, so place the fabric with the front side against the balloon. Overlap each piece of fabric with the next. If you want a pattern inside, place the circles or triangles down first and then cover with the color of fabric you want for the background. Work in this manner until you cover the balloon working down to the drawn line. Let the bowl dry overnight before continuing.

Cut poster board in a 3” wide strip and roll into a circle to form a foot for the bowl. Use two pieces of tape to attach the poster board foot to the bowl. Decide on the fabric and design for the outside of the bowl, and begin pasting pieces of fabric in the same manner as the inside, making sure to overlap the pieces well and cover all previously applied fabric. Cover poster board foot completely with fabric in order to secure it to the bowl. Let dry completely. Remove balloon from container and deflate. Trim bowl rim evenly with scissors. Coat bowl with matte medium to seal.

If you wish, you may now embellish your one-of-a-kind bowl with beads, feathers, or anything else you can imagine. Host a back-to-school party for your friends and serve chips in your bowl as a great conversation starter. 

Frances A. Williams lives and teaches 6th-8th grade art in Piedmont.