I love those birds.  I've seen them made by others on FB.  

I'm not sure where I originally saw this 3D EPP pattern, but it's from a small Australian (1 woman) company.  She has designed a number of interesting bowls (some with lids).  They were all intriguing but I settled on one, called "Trove".  These are instant downloads so you don't need to wait for a mail delivery.
 

Due to the nature of the design, I'm pretty sure that all of the templates are odd-ball sizes.  Standard EPP shapes, just larger sizes.  This means that the first step is for you to *make* all the templates.  Included are pages of "to scale" templates that you print off onto paper.  Since the templates **stay in** the finished project and gives the project its structural strength, she advises to either use copy paper+laminations or print the templates on cardstock.  I combined the two: I use my sturdy scrapbooking cardstock and laminated the sheet before cutting the templates apart.   

Aside: no fancy lamination machine was needed!  I just happened to have a package of "self-applied laminating sheets" by a company called JM.  These are 8.5x11 sheets of heavy duty, clear plastic (?) with adhesive on the back.   Think clear Contact paper on steriods.  I think I found this package at a thrift store, but the stuff can probably be found in office supply stores.  Or just use clear Contact paper.  :-)

Initially, I was a bit miffed that I had to take the time to make the templates, as I'm so used to using my Fiskar punches to make the hexies that I need.  But, a readjustment of my point of view caused me to simply think of making the templates as Step 1.  :-)   Having said that, since the templates remain in the finished project, if you want to make another one, you need to return to Step 1 and make a brand new set of templates (i.e. you can't reuse templates; they are one-and-done.)

Included in the pattern are printable pages for cutting templates, as well as the actual templates for the project.  Personally, I think the cutting templates are completely superfluous.   Anyone who as done any EPP at all will know to take the actual templates and leave a seam allowance around it.   Even if this was your first EPP project (which I don't really recommend), an instruction to do exactly that would be sufficient.

She also includes 2 pages on how to wrap the fabric around the different shapes.  Again, if you've done EPP before, you know how to do this.  I don't think those instructional pages are necesssary.

The instructions themselves are all contained on 1 page, which is nice.  I didn't find any problems with them.

BUT ... here is where I had the biggest problem: while each template piece is clearly labeled, the **assembly** diagrams for each piece (the lid, the bowl, and the bowl dividers) do NOT have the labels printed on the diagrams.  While it is true, each template can eventually be identified by its shape, I would have liked a little hand-holding at this step.   I put the template pieces together in a dry fit, just so I could see how each piece went together.   From the dry fit stage, I pulled my fabrics because it was easier to SEE which template was where in the final project.

The actual stitching was no big deal ... it's just another EPP project, although the pieces are quite stiff.  She has drafted the templates so that they all fit together perfectly!  Pieces that are supposed to join to another piece are exactly the right length ... no fudging was needed!  It took me several nights of watching TV to get it done, but I wasn't in any hurry.

I'm pretty pleased with the final project.  What am I going to do with it / use it for?   I haven't a clue!  I just liked it.  :-)   The finished size is 7.5" wide x 8" deep x 5" high.   I used a remnant of a Jinny Beyer print that had ribbon stripes on it (that's where the bands on the lid came from).  The rest of the fabric was also scraps that coordinated with the Jinny Beyer fabric.   If you like the bands on the lid a/o bowl, any ribbon stripe fabric would work.

Although this pattern has the interior of the bowl subdivided into 3 compartments, you could opt not to sew that and just have one big bowl.

This pattern is "Trove" from Cake & Ale.  Her Etsy shop is here: https://www.cakeandale.com.au/etsy-shop

Pretty, pretty, pretty! 

Pardon me while I drool!

judyinohio said:

Pardon me while I drool!

a handkerchief, perhaps? :-)

wow!

What you need is squares that easily divide by 4 when they are cut into half square triangles and trimmed. So you can cut 9 inch or 10 inch squares. That last quilt started with 9" but I am cutting the next batch at 10" so layer cake fabric works great. You also need contrast of either light and dark or two colors that show up against each other. For instance blue and yellow or green and red for instance.

The instructions for this are wonderful and it uses only squares and rectangles.....the odd shapes are made by sewing squares and then trimming.

Oh that is lovely!!! 

What are you saying....we have to figure out what to use it for after making. I would think these would make lovely gifts.

Maybe Pirate will become addicted to making those exquisite boxes and then have to decide which of her longtime friends to send them to as the holiday season approaches.

A gal can dream, right? 

Of course there is the problem of her three daughters ....

Ami_Quilts (sewingupasto) said:

I would think these would make lovely gifts.

hmm.  I'm not sure I love any one enough to make more of these!!  LOL!