My Waverize It! Challenge Creation: A Fabric Mantel Clock

Today I'm happy to share a new project AND a fabric contest for you!  I was asked if I'd like to participate in the Waverize It! Blogger Challenge from Waverly fabric and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.   A chance to test my sewing muscles and inspire others for a new contest?  Of course I said yes.  Jo-Ann sent send me two yards of new Waverly fabric to use in a unique sewing project.  So I set about to sew something out of the ordinary: my Fabric Mantel Clock.

My clock is made from sewn fabric, but has a real clock face and working mechanism inside:

The Waverly home decor fabric that arrived had a soft sateen finish and a scrolling floral design.  It seemed perfect for a tambour style clock to sit on a mantel or shelf. 

And for practicality, I put a zipper along the back seam, so it's easy to change the battery in the clock mechanism when needed.  You've got to have form AND function, right?

To make my clock, I drafted up a curved tambour-shaped pattern and cut panels from my fabric: 2 matching pieces for the front & back, a long piece that would make up the curved top and a rectangle for the bottom.  

I adhered fusible stabilizer on the wrong sides of the front, back & bottom panels.  This added support for the clock hardware and to help retain the clock's signature shape when stuffed.  I sewed the bottom of the main panels to the base piece (including the zipper on the back seam) and then sewed the curved edges to the top fabric strip.  After clipping the curves of the seam allowance, and turning it right side out, the clock was taking on its proper form:

I painted an unfinished wood plaque white and added clock numerals when dry. 

I clipped a centered hole in the front of my fabric clock case and inserted the clock mechanism inside.  The shaft came through to the outside so I could place it through the wood face and screw on the clock hands.

I stuffed the clock with fiberfill to fill it out and give it weight to support itself.  Then just zipped it closed.  For added detail I hand stitched decorative satin cording along the seam edges.

All that was left was to set the time and my clock was ready to display:

To celebrate Waverly's 90th Anniversary, and September being National Sewing Month, Jo-Ann and Waverly are having a Waverize It! Facebook Contest you can enter.  They'd like to see what great creations consumers can sew up and are offering some great crafty prizes.  Just click HERE to get more info on how to enter.

I'm also sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.

Click HERE to check them out!

I was not financially compensated for this post.  I received 2 yards of fabric from Jo-Ann and Waverly.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For my complete disclosure policy, click here.