DIY: Fancy Clothespins
Hello lovelies! I hope your week is going swimmingly so far. Today I've put together a little tutorial to show you how to make some sweet Decorative Wooden Clothespins that you can use to adorn inspiration wires, gifts and more. I hope you will enjoy making your own variations of these pretty little clips.
Gift giving idea: Clip a row of fancy pins onto a manila tag, strip of decorative cardstock or pretty ribbon and present as a wee gift to someone special.
Version one - Fabric Pom Pom Flower Clothespins:
Supplies needed:
- Standard wooden clothespins - generally found in the laundry supply section at stores such as Target (about $3 for 100).
- Fabric scraps in solid colors or prints - light-weight cottons will work best.
- Needle and thread - color should match the fabric you will be using.
- Colored pencils (optional)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
To begin with you will need to follow this awesome tutorial to create your fabric pom pom flowers (follow Tutorial II). They are rather addictive to make and super easy (even my 11 year old daughter made some. She turned hers into floral hairbands by stitching the finished flowers onto hair rubber-bands - and I'm planning to make a garland for my bedroom with the extra heap I've been making).
It should take you only about 3-5 minutes per flower. For a small circular shape you can use an object in your home as a template to trace around, such as a milk cap or spool of thread. I like how the flowers turn out when the circles are a bit more random, so I cut most of mine out without a template. Tip: For a speedier project just accordion fold strips of fabric and cut your circle shape through all the layers to create multiple circles all at once).
- Rub the side of your colored pencil all over the surface of your clothespin until it is coated with color and then smudge with your fingertip to soften. This will give your clothespin a charming effect that looks a lot like vintage paint.
- Apply a small dab of glue with your hot glue gun onto the clothespin as shown in the photo above. Carefully attach your pom pom flower onto your pin by pressing it onto the hot glue.
- Clip on inspiration wires, use as gift tag holders on presents, place card holders at your wedding reception or next party, etc.
Version two - Fabric-covered clips:
These clips are even easier to make than the first version. A set of 10 can easily be made in less than 10 minutes. Fun!
Supplies needed:
- Standard wooden clothespins - generally found in the laundry supply section at stores such as Target (about $3 for 100).
- Fabric scraps in solid colors or prints - light-weight cottons will work best.
- Double-sided tape - permanent
- Scissors
- Pull out a strip of double-sided tape that is as long or slightly longer than your clothespin. Attach it to the surface of the clothespin making sure to keep it free from bubbles or creases. The tape should be lined up evenly along one long edge so that the excess hangs off the other sides (seen in the photo above). Trim off excess using your scissors - this works best when the tape-free side is facing towards you while you cut.
- Place your prepared clothespin tape-side down onto the back side of your fabric (make sure the right side of the fabric is facing down for this step so that it will be displayed correctly when you are done). Turn over and use your finger to press and smooth the fabric onto the tape. Cut excess fabric off all sides - this works best when the fabric-covered side is away from you while you cut.
- You're done!
I hope you will enjoy making your own fancy clothespins. And please feel free to share this project with your friends and family (and blog readers)...maybe you can have a little craft party and make a bunch! Enjoy! xo Ez
47 Lovely Comments | Email Article | found in D.I.Y. + Projects, Gift Giving / Wrapping Ideas, Tutorials Print Article | Share This | 
| by Ez Wednesday, June 2, 2010 
Reader Comments (47)
Thanks for the tutorial! What kind of colored pencils do you have?
What a good idea !!! Very simple and so cute !
These are so pretty :)
Ive been covering mine with patterned papers but I love the idea of fabrics!! Gorgeous!
Oh I can't wait to make these! Thanks for the post! :)
Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments! I'm so glad you like my little project!
@ Jordan: The pencils are Prismacolor. I love them!
Ez -
These are absolutely adorable!! Love them. Thanks for sharing. Happy weekend.
xoxo
kristi
LUV the fabrics you used! And the flower makes it so special ^.^
Ez - These are absolutely adorable!!! Just love them. I will be making some tomorrow. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope you had a lovely weekend.
xoxo
kristi
What a cute little project! I think I will be trying this. :)
so cute! a friend of mine just covered some clothes pins in ribbon to use when we hung up decor for a lingerie shower! lovely ideas :)
YAY! these are so very cute (and so happy you liked the tutorial!) easy and cute is the name of the game. :)
So pretty! I'm loving those pom poms!
Thanks so much for the great post, you inspired me to do a variation of the project: http://designfixation.blogspot.com/2010/06/diy-hair-embellishment.html
I LOVE your blog, so I mentioned you on mine! Thanks for the inspiration.
Tabitha Pacheco at themodernmormonmom.blogspot.com
Very simple and so cute
I love DIY projects for weddings even though I usually don't think I'll be able to master them - this is one I definitely feel like I could do!
I love them and the tutorial is great and so easy, please continue making them.
Yesterday i made myself some to give my friends as a present.
If you want to see it this is the link
http://elviajedelucas.blogspot.com/2010/09/pinzas-para-todo.html
so cute!!! so pretty!!! I love it...........
Wow, another great idea! I love wooden pegs, and it's so fun to use them in unexpected places (like instead of paper clips!). I think my kids will enjoy helping me with this project in the shool holidays - they can select the fabrics and work with the glue, and I can do the cutting at the end. A matching set would make a lovely gift for family and friends. Thanks, Ez!
Hi Ez. I wanted to let you know I linked back to your tutorial in my first holiday post of the season. Love your ideas! http://wp.me/p1WPm9-U
Inspiring as always.. thanks for sharing this! :) I love it. Trackback: http://blog.joyhey.com/2012/04/12/inspiration-springy-packaging-ideas/
OMG! These are so cute, I have to make this!!! Thanks for sharing, I love your site <3.
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