I found vintage clothespins in a local store last year and I promptly tagged them for a family portrait, made up like the clothespin wrap dolls I did a while ago. Then when we knew Pipsqueak was on the way, I wanted to wait to make them until he was here. After he was born, things got kinda hairy and by that time, I had reconsidered how I wanted to dress them. Not with wrapped thread but with fabric pieces. Then finally, one night, in the midst of the chaos of the past couple of months, I sat on the floor in the rental and made my little family. Oh, I had some much fun. Little pants and sweaters, little skirts and leggings. My little family, made up in clothespins.
Right now, while we are figuring out layouts and furniture placement, the fabulous five are sitting on my desk. But once we start working on hanging pieces on the walls, my plan is to mount them on an open frame (a frame without glass) and hang them on a gallery wall, wherever we decide that will be. I’m looking forward to it.
These are really easy to make, especially when you use Peel’n Stick. I covered my whole clothespin family with one sheet and it was so much better than using a glue gun. With the tiny pieces I was sure to burn myself but I am burn free!
If you want to make your family (or friends or grocery store clerks) here’s how you do it.
Supplies:
-clothespins, the ones without the hinge
–Peel’n Stick adhesive sheets
-fabric
-scissors
-fine tooth saw, optional (to make varying height clothespins)
For those who haven’t used the Peel’n Stick sheets before, here’s how they work. The double-sided adhesive sheets are just as their name implies: peel then stick. To use it, first stick one adhesive side to the wrong side of the fabric and smooth it out. Cut out the desired shapes. Finally, peel the adhesive backing off and stick as you wish. It’s so much easier than hot glue and you can’t burn yourself.
Because dressing a clothespin can be as diverse as dressing a human, I shared what I did for our family below. I tried to show shapes of the fabric pieces I used and how I made certain details like a collared shirt, tie and striped sweater. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
To make the clothes-people varying height, use a fine tooth saw to cut the “legs” off. Cut a portion off the disconnected “legs” to make it the right height and then reattach the legs with glue (hot glue is quick). Hide the seam under pants or up high under a skirt.
Momma – I often hang out in my tulle skirt, I decided my clothespin likeness should wear one too. So fancy. Now let me get back to the laundry and cleaning the kitchen.
MJ – When my sister saw my MJ rendition, she giggled and said it looked just like MJ. A collared shirt and (red!) tie with a sweater and gray pants (I love gray pants!). I know what I like, husband or clothespin. :)
Love Bug – My little Bug. With her skirts and leggings. And a heart shirt.
Sweet J – The sweet boy will wear whatever I put him in. And he’s excited about it. I love him in sweaters and gray pants, just like his dad. I think corduroy is adorable on little guys.
Pipsqueak – And the little guy. Itty bitty corduroy pants for him too and a red top, because his mom like red. Another sweet boy.
I wanted to make a little pair (or two) of jeans because I knew they would be cute so I made up a Nana and PC version too. I am going to add little magnets to them and send them off. After we soak up the cuteness.
The children have requested a few other clothespin versions – a dancer, sports person, really anyone I will allow them to play with – so I might be making more of these in the future.
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