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Makery
Cuckoo Clock
When I was little, I was fascinated by the cuckoo clock in my playroom. I’d almost
forgotten how much I loved that clock until I saw one recently at a flea market. This version doesn’t have a working cuckoo, but it does tell the time and it’s just enough
to give a little sense of nostalgia.

TIME
This is quite a lengthy project, as there are a few different techniques involved. You should be able to complete it in two or three evenings, but you could spend longer on the embroidery if the mood takes you

Posted by Octopus Publishing • Published 9th December 2013 • See Octopus Publishing's 53 projects »

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Step 1
MAKE THE CLOCK

Cut out the smaller cuckoo-clock pattern and
trace around it onto the mount board. Mark
the centre of the clock face – where you will
attach the clock mechanism – using a bradawl
or pin. Cut out the cuckoo-clock shape from
the mount board carefully. Keep the template,
as you will use it again later.
Step 2
Using the bradawl or a drill, make a 0.6cm ( in)
wide hole in the marked spot on the mount board.
Note that you need to be precise with this step to
ensure that the clock hands align perfectly.
Step 3
Pin the larger cuckoo-clock pattern from the
template onto your piece of fabric, and cut it out.
Step 4
Stick double-sided tape around the edges of the
back of the mount board. Peel off the top layer
of the tape and lay the fabric on top, right side
facing up. Stick it in place. The fabric should be
1cm (¼in) larger than the mount board all the
way round.
Step 5
Clip the fabric at all corners (see Figure 1).
Turn over the mount board, and again
stick double-sided tape around the edges.
Peel away the top layer from the tape, fold
the edges of the fabric over and stick in place.
Take care at the corners to keep them neat.
Step 6
Take the smaller cuckoo-clock pattern again
and pin it onto the felt square, positioning it
so you will have enough leftover felt for the
leaves. Cut out.
Step 7
FINISH THE DETAILS

Transfer the cuckoo door outline and clockface
markings (including the centre marking
where the mechanism will fit through) onto
the felt with pins or tailor’s chalk. With your
contrasting embroidery thread, stitch the door
and clock face (but not the centre marking)
using backstitch and French knots. Make a hole at the centre marking on your
felt with the bradawl.
Step 8
Trace the cuckoo-clock leaves onto your leftover
pieces of felt. Embroider the leaf markings on to
each leaf using backstitch. Stitch the leaves to
the clock, ensuring these stitches aren’t noticeable
from the front.
Step 9
Cut the ribbon into two pieces, one 15cm (6in)
long and one 30cm (12in) long. Stitch the felt
hearts, balls or beads onto the end of each length
of ribbon and secure them in place. Stitch the
ribbon to the back of the clock at the bottom,
so that they hang down. Make sure they are
evenly spaced, so your clock isn’t lopsided.
Step 10
Trace the cuckoo shape onto the contrasting
felt, and cut it out. Stitch the features using
your second colour of embroidery thread, and
stitch the cuckoo onto the clock face.
Step 11
Stick double-sided tape around the edges of the
messy side of the fabric-covered mount board
(the side with the fabric folded over the edges).
Peel off the top layer of the tape and position
the felt cuckoo-clock face, being careful to align
the centre hole of the clock face with the hole
in the mount board. Stick down.
Step 12
Assemble the clock mechanism according to
the instructions that came with it and attach
it through your clock face. Put in a battery
(rechargeable if possible) and there’s your
hand-crafted cuckoo clock!