Fast, Fun & Easy Irresist-A-Bowls by Linda Johnson
(5 Fabulous New Shapes to use and Display)
ISBN 1-57120-307-9, Softbound, 48 pgs., full color, $14.95, C & T Publications, Inc., P. O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549, 800-284-1114, www.ctpub.com

One of the hottest trends in the craft world right now is fabric bowls.  In this book, Linda Johnson takes a few steps further, adding exciting new shapes.  If you have never made a fabric bowl, everything you need to know is here.  The basic materials, supplies and techniques are covered thoroughly.

Five new shapes are added to the basic round bowl; sunflower bowl, pieced bowl, double square bowl, fluted bowl and fantasy flower bowl.  These five bowls and their variations offer a multitude of creative possibilities. They can be formed by following the clear, step-by-step directions.  Only one, the fantasy flower bowl, needs templates and the pattern is provided. A discussion follows of various embellishment ideas.  The photographs of completed bowls provided by a variety of contributors, demonstrate the endless possibilities in design.  I especially like the Ginkgo bowl and the bowl with appliquéd stones and decorative stitching.  This is a book to have a lot of fun with.

Review by Diana Norris