I would think before that way you can mold it around another bowl to get the shape.

hugs
mj

I like to stitch the bowls and doilies up before soaking.
When stitching 2 pieces together I will trim one piece close to the stitching edge on the side I will be joining to a second piece.
Then set that first piece on top of the excess Vilene on the second piece that I am joining the first piece to so I can butt the 2 pieces close together and then stitch the 2 together.
The excess vilene helps to stabilize the stitching.
Hope this makes sense! LOL
EastWitch2

i sew tham after they where in water
so after dry than you need to iron them also
hugs Sonja

Stitch the bowl together before rinsing. Otherwise it will be too stiff. I don't soak my FSL. I only rinse til the holes (loops), etc. are clear.

I have to do it after because the wss get i the way. I have also done it by hand, which works for small things, so now I do not cut the wss to the edge so I have somehthing to hold onto. Shirlene is certainly an Expert and look forward to her post. Thanks for asking. I hope to do more elaborate projects.

I have done it both ways - it is how you feel most comfortable doing it that matters.

Here is some directions for putting bowls and doillies together on the Skeldale House Website.
This is from one of her FSL Bowl and Doily sets.
See Link below, click it and scroll down the page.
Robyn has great directions that can be applied to any bowl or doily.
EastWitch2

I put mine together after rinsing...all by machine!

Have done it both ways, but if you sew first and rinse you can at least shape the bowl as it dries.

Just a thought, if you soak it first you would find out if the fsl stitching worked out. What if you put it together, rinsed and then found out one panel was ruined?

I have done it both ways but after the bath if it needs a little fix up it is easy to do it now rather then when it is sewed up as a bowl hugs

I was taught to sew before you rinse. Hugs Joyce

Good question. Thanx for asking and thanx to those who answered.