Summer is a great time to live frugally. One way I tried to be frugal in the summer is by hanging my clothes up to dry on a clothes line. It is a great way to save money on groceries and use the natural heat from the sun and the drying power of the wind to complete a chore. How many of you use clothes lines?
In this post, I have a tutorial on how to make a Homemade Clothespin Bag using the pockets of some ratty, old jeans. There are so many tutorials out there on how to make clothes pin bags, but I do not think I have found one like the one I am about to show you.
First, pick out a pair of rag-ity old jeans that you no longer wear.
Cut out the back pockets, leaving a generous seam allowance.
Put the two pockets together, inside-out, so the pockets are touching each other and line up evenly.
Sew the sides and the bottoms together, leaving the top open.
Fold down each of the top flaps, and sew – leaving room for a string to be guided through (or you may place the string before you sew) – this will be used to cinch the bag shut to hold the clothes pins inside.
Turn the bag inside out.
Fill with clothes pins.
Enjoy the ease of having clothespins close-by when hanging your clothes up to dry.
Line Drying your clothes can save a great deal off your bills! You can learn all about the Art of Line Drying here.
While your clothes dry, why not try some of these Simple Garden Projects.
Also, here are some other Easy Sewing Projects if you feel like getting crafty!
Do you line dry your clothes? Do you have your own unique clothespin bag idea that you would like to share? Post it below in the comments.
Lana says
August 27, 2013 at 11:59 amWe have a mostly heavily shaded lot and high humidity. Things don’t get dry most of the time and because of the trees I have a fifty fifty chance of a bird pooping on them. The dryer works best here. It would be lovely to sleep on line dried sheets!
Catherine @ Happily Ever Crafter says
August 27, 2013 at 1:30 pmSuch a great idea! I pinned it 🙂
LineG says
September 4, 2013 at 8:42 amOh, cute! 😀
I have outdoor clothes lines, and wouldn’t even dream of getting a tumbler/drier of any sorts. I have used an old wall flower pot for my pins until recently when it broke from old age and left me with no place to keep them. I dug out another old flower pot that I’ve been using, but it can’t be hung, so I have to bend all the time. I found your idea very inspiring. I think I will exchange the string with some elastic, though, so it opens easier.
Debby says
September 6, 2013 at 5:27 pmI cut the legs off the jeans and sew straight across, it makes a bigger bag and stores more clothes pins. I use the plastic hooks that come with the clothes you buy at the department store (most stores just give them to you if you ask) and put them through the back pant loops. I have two clothes lines so I hardly ever have to use my dryer.
Dianne says
December 16, 2013 at 9:38 pmI use an old baby dress that button in the back, sew the bottom shut, put a hanger thru it and hang it on the line. I get the pins in and out thru the area that buttons in the back. Fast and cute! Love the denim one tho because it might last longer.
DebbieG says
July 8, 2016 at 5:51 pmDianne,
I did exactly the same thing – EXACTLY! It was one of my granddaughter’s dresses and it looks great. I also put some scrunched up nylon netting into the sleeves to puff them up. That wouldn’t work with some styles, but it does with this one.
Tammy says
December 17, 2013 at 7:45 amI like this idea much better than most I’ve seen………I LOVE my clothesline!
Priscilla says
March 24, 2014 at 12:30 amThanks for the tutorial, I love the jean pocket bag & will definitely be making one to hold my clothes pins! I think I missed something though, how do you hang the bag on the clothesline? I use my clothesline whenever I can & save lots of energy!
Merissa says
March 24, 2014 at 7:24 amYes, you can either sew some kind of hook to the top or simply pin the basket straight to your line with the clothes pins.
Deanna says
August 2, 2014 at 4:48 pmI had someone tell me about a homemade clothes pin bag made out of a young, around size 4, boys short sleeved button up shirt. Sew the bottom up to the length you want, sew up the arm, and sew the front up to the opening you want. I made one and put it on a childs plastic hanger. I’ve used the same one for many years and it’s so cute!
Michele says
March 26, 2015 at 11:09 ami used an old clothes pin bag frame and made a bag with leftover quilt squares and made pockets on the front for the line holders.