Guest Post-- Occasionally Crafty

Hi C&C Readers! I'm Valerie, from Occasionally Crafty! I'm a book-loving, piano-teaching, RA-enduring, busy SAHM to three adorable kids. My blog is a place for home decor, seasonal crafts, gift ideas, and lots more. I love to make cute things, when I can.

I'm so excited to be guest posting here at Sarah's blog. I swear she and I have the same creative mind. Many of her projects are exactly in my style, and I am forever repinning her pins on Pinterest.

Today's project was inspired by this picture I found on Pinterest. (You can follow me here:)

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I haven't seen a tutorial to make this particular kind of clock, but using instructions I found across the web, it was easy to adapt for a fabric clock.

Materials needed:

1 embroidery hoop (mine was about 7 inches)

Sturdy fabric of choice- I used burlap, but you could use anything

12 cute buttons

Embroidery Thread to match your buttons

Hot glue (optional)

Scissors

3/8 in or smaller Clock Movement Kit- about $7 at any craft store, or cheaper with a coupon!



Here's how I made mine:

First, I cut my burlap to fit my embroidery hoop, leaving enough fabric to stretch it taut on all sides. You may have to double layer your fabric, depending on how thin it is. You need something sturdy, and you don't want anything see-through. I placed it in the hoop and pulled it tight on the front and back.

Then, I laid out where I wanted my buttons to go and marked them with a water-soluble pen.

Next, I found the center of my button circle and marked it. This is where you will assemble your clock movement kit.

Now, mine didn't come with any directions, so I had to do some searching to find out how to put it together. Mine was an Artminds brand, but it is pretty standard. Here's how it goes together:

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Take all the clock parts out of the package and disassemble anything that is put together.

1. Cut a small slit in your fabric- enough to push the arm of the big black movement piece together. The rubber washer goes on the back- between the black box and your fabric.

2. Slide brass washer (circle) over the shaft

3. Attach the hex nut (the other larger brass pice)- screw it tight to the fabric

4. Gently but firmly press the hour hand onto the shaft at the 12:00 position.

5. Gently but firmly press the minute hand onto the shaft at the 12:00 position.

6. Gently screw minute hand nut (small brass circle) in place

7. Gently but firmly press your minute hand onto the shaft.

Once my movement kit was attached, I hot glued it to the back of the fabric for extra stability.

Next, I hot-glued my buttons in place- just a tiny dot. This isn't necessary, but it saves me a lot of time in the next step.

I hand-sewed my buttons to the fabric using two strands of embroidery thread. I think I made three or four stitches per button. Just make sure they're on good!

All that's left is making it look pretty. Carefully trim the excess fabric away from your hoop. I basically put my scissors flush with the hoop, then cut all the way around. I sealed the ends by drawing a thin line of hot glue across the cut edge. This keeps it secure and keeps it from fraying.

That's it- pop a battery into the movement kit and you've got a cute (and functional) clock for your craft room, or anywhere else you need a little cuteness. Can you imagine the possibilities with all the cute buttons out there?

Thanks again for having me! I hope to see you at my blog soon!

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Wow. Seriously wow. That is so stinkin' cute! Thanks for sharing that tutorial Valerie!

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