DIY "Pretty-as-a-Pinny" Clothespins ~ A Tiggy-winkle Tutorial

"Lucie ran on, and on... THE path ended under a big rock. The grass was short and green, and there were clothes-props cut from bracken stems, with lines of plaited rushes, and a heap of tiny clothes pins..."

~ Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-winkle

If you please'm! Dear Mrs. Tiggy-winkle has one more tutorial to share with you all on this "Fun Friday" spring series. She says this is a very versatile project that everyone can get involved in! They are her "Pretty-as-a-Pinny" clothespins. These darlings could also be used as "bag clips" in the kitchen. If you glue a magnet to the back, they can hold photos and papers on the refrigerator. If you string them on a line in the house, they can display your children's artwork. They would also make sweet party favors. But as for this author, she simply likes to use them the old fashioned way, on the clothesline!

There are many ways to decorate your clothespins but the first thing you will need to do is paint them (if you choose). The easiest way to achieve this is on a clothesline or temporary string hung outdoors. Attach your clothespins (give them some distance apart so that you can get in the nooks and crannies and sides) and spray paint them the desired color. We weren't concerned about them being perfectly painted as it adds to the charm. Children may enjoy hand painting them themselves but it is more tedious. 

Once dried, they are now ready to embellish! You can use scrapbook paper (or magazine clippings, old maps, old book pages, music sheets, etc.) and cut pieces down to size (I measured out the dimensions and cut straight lines using a paper cutter). You could also use fancy scissors on the ends to give the paper a different pattern. Finally, affix your pretty paper with a glue stick (or craft glue) and once dried, apply a layer of decoupage glue or some clear spray paint to finish them off. 

Another way (and much simpler!) to decorate the painted clothespins is with stamps. My daughter has a large "Faded Text Background" stamp that I applied directly to the painted pin. With a final coat of decoupage glue or clear spray paint, the project was quickly done with no need for measuring, etc! The stamp even looked nice on the plain un-painted clothespins (shown in photo next to pink ones) and I am now eager to make a few sets of these for instant gratification and for gifts. 

You could also embellish with pretty beads and jewels if you want to make a designer clothespin (these are my daughter's creation). You can use tiny stickers or clip art. You can use permanent markers and draw designs. You could also custom paint each clothespin to make your own masterpieces if you are artistic (think chevron strips, polka dots, pinstripes and flowers). Just make sure to seal your finished product with the decoupage glue or clear spray paint.

While mama prepares her "pretty pinny's", the children can decorate theirs with all their craft supplies (fearless mothers can even give finger paints to toddlers to decorate the pins with). I must admit that Mrs. Tiggy-winkle was right, my daughter and I really enjoyed making these together and fussing over them and exclaiming to one another how cute the other person's pins were! We had a delightful time!

Summary of Steps:

1. Paint clothespin (if desired) and let dry.
2. Decorate clothespin.
3. Apply a layer of decoupage glue or clear spray paint to "seal" them.
4. Enjoy your finished "pretty-as-a-pinny" clothespin!



Mrs. Tiggy-winkle suggests that these shouldn't be left on the clothesline overnight with the dew or during a storm as it will diminish the quality. 

"And she hung up all sorts and sizes of clothes—small brown coats of mice; and one velvety black moleskin waist-coat; and a red tailcoat with no tail belonging to Squirrel Nutkin; and a very much shrunk blue jacket belonging to Peter Rabbit; and a petticoat, not marked, that had gone lost in the washing—and at last the basket was empty!"

~ Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-winkle

"Pretty-as-a-Pinny" clothespins would also make a nice gift! You can prepare a laundry basket with some handmade detergent, stain remover, fabric softener and a clothespin apron. You might also want to include this "Wash Day Prayer". Visit here for more wash day inspiration or you may even want to view the complete Collection of Mrs. Tiggy-winkle Tutorials, if you please'm!

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