Gone Cuckoo

While searching for inspiration, I occasionally try my hand at unusual patterns. Case in point (and subject of this post) is the "cuckoo clock" phase of last year. Originating with the reproduction cuckoo clock on my wall (similar to the one pictured below)....


...to perusing pictures of a few German patterns....


...and finishing with a needle, thread, and muslin which produced a series of miniature cuckoo clock ornaments made from fabric and wire, complete with little blackbirds emerging from the open shutters. A series of fabric "leaves" frame the sides, a handpainted clock face sewn in the middle.


The one below is from our Etsy shop, the smallest one finished (app. 4" tall, 3" wide). The most detailed, it even includes tiny "pull chains" at the bottom, trimmed with "silver pine cone" beads. The raggedy little blackbird is handsewn and handpainted, held inside by a wire spring.

(to see detailed photos and read more info, click here).

The next inspiration that strikes will hopefully be less challenging than tiny muslin replicas of big clocks...maybe something playful, like paper dolls, will strike my fancy next time.