Quick gift: Fabric covered clothespins for the sewing room
I try to make a handmade gift for my co-workers each year, and I’m happy to say that I just delivered them yesterday so now I can tell you about it!
These fabric covered clothespins were an easy gift to make, and they can be used in the sewing room, too. Since I work in a quilt shop, my co-workers will (hopefully) appreciate that little detail.
I printed out a little graphic on cardstock titled “7 Ways to Use Clothespins in the Sewing Room” and clipped the clothespins to it. You can download the pdf file here: Clothespin Uses You may have to shrink it to fit your paper.
Since the clothespins are a little heavy, I had to add them to a piece of sturdy watercolor paper (it was all I had). This gave me a place to add a little note so it worked out great.
Here’s what I included in my list:
- Keep rulers and their instructions together.
- Hold English paper piecing parts together.
- Binding clips.
- Bookmark or placeholder.
- Keep quilt block pieces together and organized.
- Keep interfacings and stabilizers organized.
- Hold thick pieces of material together.
They’re perfect for keeping your specialty rulers and instructions together. I’m always trying to find one or the other.
If you’re an English paper piecer, you’ll love using it to hold your pieces together as you stitch.
Use them to hold your binding in place, rather than pins or clips.
They also come in handy when you have thick or heavy materials to sew together. Pins are never sturdy enough for that job. (no picture)
If you can’t find a bookmark, a clothespin will hold your place for you.
Keep your quilt block pieces organized and in one place with a clothespin (or two).
Corral all of those pieces of interfacings and stabilizers into one place along with their instructions.
I found these clothespins at Michael’s and they’re the perfect size. Not too big and not too small. They come in a package of 30 for less than $4.00. The fabric tape was also from Michael’s and they come in a package of 3 coordinating prints.
The only other thing you’ll need is scissors or a rotary cutter to cut them to size. I cut them into 1 3/4″ segments. They were a little too wide so I trimmed 1/8″ off of one long side. That’s the hardest part, but if you have the right tools it won’t take long.
Once they’re the right size, all you need to do is peel back the paper and apply to the top and bottom of the clothespin.
They’re just so cute, you’ll want to make lots of them! You could use them in the office, the school room and at home for all kinds of things. If you think of any other clever uses, please share them in the comment section. Enjoy!
Such a cute idea, I can see a trip to Michael’s in the very near future. It is never too early to think of Christmas gifts for next year.
What a,great idea!
I just LOVE these charming clothes pins! And I usually like the decluttered minimalist look, but not with these. I want thousands of these! Thank you!
Attach a magnetic strip and put in on your frig!
First time had a look at this site. Looks interesting
These are so cute, I love this idea!
Cute idea! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas! XO
So-o-o creative, S-o-o cute, So-o-o inexpensive Thanks lady.
Such a cute and quick project! I just love these! Thanks for the great idea.
If you screwed one side of the clothes pin to a Coat rack with hooks you could clip mittens beside the owner’s coat. It would look cute as well!
I have always used clothespins to hold bags of chips,etc together and these would be way cuter .
These clothes pegs are so pretty all dressed up in ribbon! And so handy too! This is such a great idea… I love the suggestion of using them for binding. Thanks so much for sharing, Julie! And Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Oh wow, what a cute and simple idea. Thank you! Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Oh, so cute, Julie! I’ll have to TRY to remember this for future gift possibilities! Merry Christmas!!
Thanks Julie. What a wonderful idea to make for each of my small group members. Have a Merry Christmas and a Crafty New Year.
You are right! These are cute and practical too.
Julie thank you I have a pack of small pegs that have been on the verge of going in the bin, they have now been saved what a wonderful idea.x
Julie you are amazing – what great ideas, thanks! I love your website!
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Love this idea. I plan to make a bunch of these for next year’s Secret Santa and as gifts for my quilty friends!
Love that idea…going to try to make some as stocking stuffers!!! Thank you and Merry Christmas!!
Love these. Thanks for sharing!
Julie, you are always so clever and so thoughtful. These clothespins are priceless! What a terrific idea. I’m still using your applique techniques, but wish I lived closer so I could take more classes from you. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year.
These are darling and a great gift idea. Thanks so much for sharing your idea!
Hi Julie,
Thanks for the cute last-minute crafty gift. I have some clothespins, just need to get the fabric tape.
I know you are either looking forward to, or already, enjoying that little doll’s first Christmas. It will be such a magical for the whole family. Even though she’s too young to really know what it is, the lights will entrance her, I’m sure. I remember when my youngest daughter was about 3, we went to a nearby “Candy Cane Lane.” It wasn’t her first time, but she didn’t remember the others. A lot of people drove through, but we parked a little bit away, and were walking towards the street. She took off running, calling back, “I see Christmas!!!” The joy in her voice almost made me cry. That 3 year old got married last Friday, and is getting ready to apply to Medical School. Enjoy Every.Single.Minute that you can with her. She’ll be getting married, and going off to school before you know it. Give her a kiss and a hug from a different grandma for me.
xo Linda
Cute idea Julie. Merry Christmas.
Cute!! You could attach a small magnet and give them to a teacher. I can think of seven ways to use them in my classroom!! Merry Christmas
LOVE THEM!!!!! They are just too cute! So guess where I have to go over the holidays, yep, to Michaels. And you know, these would make such a neat gift to a quilter for her birthday etc. Guess it will be too late by the time I get them for a Christmas gift, next year though. Well thanks for the tut on these, very clever of you. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and Happy New Year too. Looking forward to see what you have in mind for us next year with your wonderful creativity. Thanks…..Claudia
I love your gift, the clothes pins are so cute!
I love your gift Julie, they’re so cute!
Way, way too cute. Just love it!
What a great idea!! They are so adorable! I think I’ll have to make some!! Thank you Julie for sharing all these wonderful ideas!!
Merry Christmas to you & your family!! ❤️❤️