Fast, Fun & Easy Creative Fabric Clocks: 6 Timely Techniques for Fabric & Paper

introduction

Even though I love the conveniences of the digital age, there is something classic about a clock with hands. I think that’s why I started making clocks. And since I’m a quilter, fabric was the natural material of choice. With the introduction of fast2fuse, the clocks became even easier to make.

Once I started making clocks, I was (and still am) hooked. I can create any shape or size that I want. Clocks make perfect gifts because you can make something that suits anyone’s personality or home (or both). It’s so easy to make a special clock for someone.

When I first started making clocks, there were a lot of things I had to figure out: how to finish the edges, what to do if I didn’t like the clock hands that were available, how to make sure the clock would hang properly, how to make dimensional clocks, and more. Now it’s all here for you.

Tick tock.

Time’s a wastin’.

Let’s make clocks!

getting started

It really doesn’t take much to make a fabric clock, and you probably already have many of the supplies and tools you need.

Supplies

clock movements

A quartz clock movement is made up of the battery-powered movement, a hanger, and the hands. The hands come in different styles, and you can choose to use a second hand or not. The stem of the movement comes in several thicknesses, from ⅛˝ to ¾˝ or more. I generally use a ⅜˝ stem, except for clocks with lots of layers. You can also buy movements with a pendulum.

Clock movements are generally available in craft stores and woodworking stores (see Resources).

Clock movements come with different styles of hands.

Clock with pendulum

fast2fuse

The base material for most of the clocks in this book is heavyweight fast2fuse, a double-sided fusible stiff interfacing. It provides a stable foundation for a wide range of clock sizes and shapes and is easy to cut and shape. Fabric and paper are easily fused to the fast2fuse.

paper-backed fusible web

The easiest way to add fabric or paper to a clock is to use paper-backed fusible web (see basic fusing techniques).

Fusing supplies

fabrics

The best fabric to use for these clocks is 100% cotton. It fuses well to fast2fuse and comes in an enormous range of colors and patterns.

easy!

Prewash your fabrics to ensure a good fuse. Unwashed fabrics sometimes have sizing or other finishes that prevent thorough fusing.

paper

Clocks are a great way to experiment with different materials such as paper. You can also combine paper and fabric—stitching, fusing, or gluing the combination as you would fabric.

Use fabric, paper, or a combination of the two.

glues

It’s a good idea to have several types of glue on hand.

Fabric, craft, or tacky glue works well for fabric and paper. When using the glue