Thank you all for the compliments.
Tim and Tom...I used natural cotton batting for the fill. can get a bag that will last you forever for a coupla bucks at the craft store. Just rip off some and shred it apart the same way you would with jute or hemp for a fire start nest.
I pulled about twice the amount I thought I would need and put it in the center of a piece of fabric, gathered the ends and cut off the fabric. then stuffed the tail in the container and started to work the rest in with a small piece of smooth wood. kind of like tucking your shirt into your waistline..pushing it down in until no more would go.
For attachment...considering the use of the item, you should not have to, but you could glue the top edge if desired to keep it from slipping out but if packed tight enough, it will hold itself in. on this one I used a small amount of hide glue around the inside top edge and clamped it lightly in a wood vise until dry. kinda like the "mushroom" shape result
Steve Skillman may be able to elaborate a bit more but this is how he explianed it to me.
Hope this helps - John
