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Gourd Coiling Instructions for a Purse

Gourd coiling has many applications. You will be completing a simple gourd coiled bowl or vase. Coiling can

also be used to create a beautiful purse. These instructions begin with info on creating a closed coiled bowl or

vase. Additional instructions are included to create an open coiled vase or bowl followed by instructions to

create a purse following the standard cleaning and cutting of the gourd.

1. To start you will need a gourd that will sit well on a table,

or be able to sand the bottom of the gourd in order for it to

sit flat on a table.

2. You will need to draw a line around the gourd in order to

saw the gourd before coiling.

3. Using an awl, poke a small hole into the side of the gourd

along the line you drew, this will enable you to place the

saw into the gourd in order to saw around the gourd.

4. Once the gourd has been cut in two, you will need to clean

out your gourd. Make sure you wear a mask if you clean

the gourd inside, as very good ventilation is needed. If you

clean your gourd outside, make sure the wind doesn’t throw

the pith and dust back to you.

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5. There are several tools that you can use to clean out your

gourd

6. When you have finished cleaning your gourd, the inside

should look like the gourd at the left.

7. You will need to sand off the rim of the gourd to make sure

that it is smooth all the way around the gourd.

Note: See step 15 for purse instructions

8. Next you will need to make your holes for coiling on

around the top rim of the gourd. You will need to use an

awl or small drill for this step. The holes should be about a

½ inch apart. Don’t worry if you damage the top of the

gourd, or if a chuck of the gourd breaks off on thin gourds.

You can use that break to create interesting textures with

your gourd. After this step you can paint, or stain your

bowl, just make sure it is dry before coiling.

Note: The opening in the

gourd front was created

by sanding off an area

where the thin sided

gourd broke, and

weaving the coiling

material over the break.

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9. You can make your own coiling materials from just about

anything. Yarn or string work well. Yarn warning: yarn

should NOT be the first material you use for coiling. It has

a tendency to snag – patience is required.

10. Start your coiling by placing your coil material on the edge

of your gourd. Thread your way through the first hole and

tie off your thread and take your needle and place it in

through the next hole to secure the end of your coiling

material. Continue threading your way around the top of

the gourd, securing the next section of your coiling material

in place. When you reach the place where you started, place

your needle under the “thread” between the first and second

hole and bring the “thread” up and over the coiling

material. Continue this step around the gourd until you

reach your starting point again.

11. For each “row” of added coiling material, you need to put

your needle between the “thread” spaces and under the

previous row.

12. As you become comfortable in your coiling skills, you can

tackle offsetting your coils, by shortening your coiling

material between rows to form an arch between pre-made

gaps in your gourd. This is called open coiling.

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This drawing below gives you

an idea of how the “stitching”

should look. From the bottom

hole over the coiling material

around the gourds, followed by

the next row where the

“thread” goes in between the

space between the previous

rows. As you coil this will

become clearer.

12a. To finish off your work, work in the

coiling material at the end by tying the

material into the previous row. Or you can

make the end into a tassel, and drape the end

over your work.

12b. At this point you can add any

embellishment to create your own unique

signature piece.

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Other versions of coiling:

There are other alternatives or variations of coiling, one might refer to these methods of coiling as weavings.

Common closed coiling Wire Coiled Weaving Closed Coil – Reed Coiled Weaving – Open Coil

13. For a purse, you will need to find a gourd that will create

the shape of the purse you want. An elongated Apple gourd

works well for a purse. You should be able to cut the

elongated Apple gourd lengthwise to create the shape of

your purse. Clean the gourd following instructions above.

14. Because your purse will have more wear and tear than a

bowl or vase, I use an application of wood hardener to

strengthen the gourd. This will also help smooth out the

inside of the gourd, which makes it easier to attach the

lining materials. (Left photo prior to wood hardener, right

photo after wood hardener has dried.)

15. Next you will need to make your holes for coiling on

around the top rim of the gourd. You will need to use an

awl or small drill for this step. The holes should be about a

½ inch apart. You can dye, apply color or finishing wax

prior to or after you create your holes. When make your

holes, wiggle your awl to enlarge the hole. DO NOT push

the awl in one stroke to create and enlarge the hole, it is

very likely to crack or break the gourd. Ideally, place your

index finger and middle finger on either side of the area in

which you wish to make your hole, and your thumb below

the area in which you want the hole. This will help to

strengthen the area while you create the hole.

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16. Once the holes are created its time to apply the lining to

your purse. I have found that thin quilt batting works well

as padding for under the purse lining. You will need to fit

the lining in the purse – have patience, and have clothes

pins handy. Follow the photos to help you understand how

to fit the lining so that it will create a smooth area for your

lining.

17. Start by laying the batting in the gourd, so that you can cut

a rough outline of the area. Pin the padding to the gourd

and work your way around the gourd from the middle to

the ends.

18. Once you get to the end, fold the fabric to create a flat view

shape and mark the edges of the view to use as a cutting

line.

19. Cut down the line to the flat end of the v shape, cutting

away the excess fabric.

20. Before you glue the padding in place, drill your holes for

the handle connections at both ends.

21. Now it’s time to glue the padding in place. You can take

off your clothes pins or leave them in place and take them

off as you glue it in place. You can trim the padding easily

with a scissors after the glue has dried.

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22. Once the padding is dry, you will need to add your handle

connection unless it is a split ring. Split rings can be added

after your lining is in place.

23. To install the lining, you need to follow the same process as

for the padding, but this time you will not cut the lining at

the ends. Start by pinning the sides and work your way

around to the ends.

24. When you reach the ends pinch the fabric together so that it

creates a fold and put a clothes pin on either side of the

fold.

25. Open up the fold and fold the fabric back on itself.

26. Pin the fold back onto the gourd.

27. To attach the lining to the gourd, use a blanket stitch.

28. Use the blanket stitch around the entire gourd.

29. At this point if you haven’t attached your handle connect

and are using a split ring attach it now. Use your awl and

poke through from the outside in to make a small hole in

the fabric for the ring.

30. Now it’s time to starting coiling. You need to start with the

knot end near the handle connection.

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31. To attach the coil, you will use the blanket stitch* for the

first row only. Start through the first hole and thread the

cord through the coil just above the knot, and tie the end of

the thread to the thread just pulled through the hole and the

top of the knot.

An alternative is to weave the thread through the hole

and then through the coil weave starting at the first row.

NOTE: I use a curved needle for the first threading of the

needle, which makes it easier to go through the coil and the

holes. When the thread runs out, simply tie the end the old

thread to the new piece of thread AFTER you have gone

through the next hole.

32. When you reach the first handle connection attach the knot

end of your strap/handle.

33. Continue coiling around the top of the gourd. When you

reach the start of the coil, make sure you pas the coil

through the split ring. If you are using a pull connection,

just continue coiling. Instead of the blanket stitch you will

weave your thread through the coil to connect the coil to

the previous row.

34. The weave stitch goes through the top coil and down into

the previous row and up through the top coil again.

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35. Once you have coiled high enough so that the top of the

purse can come to a comfortable closure, you can end your

coiling at a side near either one of the handle end sides or

work until your coil runs out. The purse in the photo took

17.5 yards of coiling to complete.

36. You will need to run handle cord up the sides of your purse

and attaché the handle cord to the side of our purse.

37. To secure the top of the purse, you can either use a snap

closure or Velcro.

38. Your purse is now finished. ENJOY!

NOTES:

You can add

embellishments

to create a

more dramatic

look for your

purse.