I shared a button clock a few weeks back – and it inspired me to make my own! So I thought I’d do a quick tute today showing you how easy it is to do 🙂
First – find a daggy old clock that you can pull apart.
Here are the bits that make up the mechanism – make sure you remember which parts go where!
Second – get an embroidery hoop, some thrifted fabric (I used an old pillowcase, I used a double-layer of fabric because it’s quite brittle), and find some sweet vintage buttons.
Third – put the fabric into the frame, cut it off and glue it in.
Fourth – select your buttons and sew them on! Make sure to use a ruler to mark at least the 4 cardinal points – otherwise you clock might end up looking a bit wonky!
Fifth – if you’re lazy like me, you’ll make a neat hole in the middle and put your clock mechanism through from the back. You’ll need to support the mechanism in some way, because the fabric won’t be enough.
If you’re a bit more of a perfectionist, the best way is to get some old thick cardboard or some sort of thin wood, cut it to shape, and put it into the back of your clock frame. I cheated by using a ribbon – attached to the top of the mechanism, then the top of the frame, and I use the same ribbon to hang the clock!
These buttons are from an old tin – my great-grandmother apparently used to cut the buttons off all sorts of things and hoard them – so now they’re being put to good use!
This only took me an hour or two, max, and I love looking at it every day!
***
Want more Epheriell-y goodness? Subscribe to Epheriell Designs! Also, you can follow me on Twitter!
Oh I have my clock now, I’m destroying a hello kitty clock, which is a bit sad, but for the greater good of clockkind. But I’m struggling to get the mechanism off, I guess I’ll give it another go today!
Very cool tute Jess! Thanks 🙂
That is so cute. I’ll have to see what i have around the house. Thanks for the Tutorial.
i blogged this today http://papercakesfinds.blogspot.com/2011/02/daily-diy_16.html
I’m really loving this clock. We’re featuring fabric crafts this week over at the M&T Spotlight and I’d love for you to submit this. http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
I must make one of these, its SO cute! I have an old clock and tons of buttons, I just need the knitting round thingy…lol! Thanks for the inspiration! I think it’ll look awesome in my new craft room: http://teebliterary.blogspot.com/2011/02/craft-room-projects-revealed.html
That’s a bad @$$ clock!!!!!!
XOXOXO,
Erika and Sebastian
What an gooood idea!! Thank you 😀
I featured this on my blog today. http://www.snugasabugbaby.com/some-stuff-i-am-loving-cute-as-a-button/
Thanks for sharing!
Found your clock via a Pinterest link which led me to another site — thank you so much for sharing your great idea. I will give you the highest form of flattery and make one or likely many! Such a clever idea with endless possibilities to personalize!
Wow idea is really adorable 🙂 The clock looks great. I like this unique idea
muito lindo, vou fazer