How to Make Your Own Clothespin Bag

DIY clothespin bag
Mollie Johanson
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $15

Drying clothes outdoors on a line instead of in a dryer saves energy and gives clothing a fresh scent. And you can keep your clothespins handy with this DIY bag that can hang conveniently on the line. Sewing a clothespin bag is fast and simple, requiring only basic sewing knowledge. From start to finish, this project should take you an hour or less. Featuring two complementary fabrics, your bag can easily be customized to fit your style. Plus, this bag would make a great housewarming gift, especially if you include a clothesline and clothespins.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Iron and ironing board

Materials

  • 1/2 yard cotton fabric (for outside)
  • 1/2 yard cotton fabric (for lining)
  • Wooden clamp-style trouser or skirt hanger
  • Matching thread

Instructions

  1. Cut the Clothespin Bag Pieces

    Download the JPG clothespin bag pattern, and print it out at full size. Use a ruler on the 1-inch square to verify size. If it's off by a small amount it will still work, but if it's off by 1/8 inch or more reprint the pattern.

    For both the outside and lining pieces, fold the fabric in half lengthwise, and pin the pattern to the fabric with the long straight edge on the fold. Cut around the pattern. This creates the top opening of the bag.

    Next, cut the outside and lining pieces ​with a rotary cutter and cutting ruler as follows:

    • Start by measuring the length of your hanger, and add 2 inches to that length. This is the width of the clothespin bag pieces.
    • Double the number you just calculated. This is the height of the clothespin bag pieces. 
    • For the example, the hanger was 12 inches long. Therefore, both the outside and lining pieces are cut to 14 inches by 28 inches. 
    Cutting the clothespin bag pieces
    Mollie Johanson
  2. Sew the Outside and Lining Pieces

    Place the outside and lining pieces right sides together, and pin around the edges.

    Sew around the entire shape, ​leaving a 4-inch opening on one of the long sides near the bottom half of the piece. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance, and backstitch the beginning and end of the seam. 

    Trim the corners and clip the curved edge to reduce bulk and keep the edge smooth.

    Then, turn the shape right side out, poking the corners into shape. Iron the clothespin bag, and press the seams open. Press in the seam allowance of the opening, so the seam is even.

    pinning the outside and lining
    Mollie Johanson
  3. Assemble and Topstitch the Edges

    Topstitch around the curved seam, sewing 1/8 inch from the edge. 

    Then, fold the clothespin bag in half with the wrong sides together. Pin and sew the sides and straight across the top edge, sewing 1/8 inch from the edge. This assembles the bag, topstitches the edges, and closes the opening all at once.

    preparing to sew the sides
    Mollie Johanson
  4. Finish the Clothespin Bag

    Slide the hanger inside the bag. It should fit comfortably at the top with a bit of room to spare. All that's left is to fill your bag with clothespins and start hanging up the next load of laundry!

    In addition to holding clothespins, use this bag to hold:

    hanging clothespin bag
    Mollie Johanson