My friend, J., made me an adorable decorated clothespin as a gift and I use it all the time to keep my notes and papers organized. Every time I see that clothes pin I smile (even if it’s clipped to a bill). I love that happy clothespin so much that I made some DIY patriotic clothespins with my kiddos to give as gifts.
You could use any wood clothespins {affiliate link}, but I like these wide ones that I found at Target. The wider clothespins gives you more space for your flag design.
Although the clothespins came decorated, I simply painted over the original design with white craft paint. It took 2-3 coats of white paint, but was quick to do. While the coats of white craft paint were drying, I painted the blue background on each clothes pin. Using paint pins, I added the “stars” and the stripes to the flag. The hardest part is waiting for the paint to dry so you can move onto the next step.
They would make cute place card holders for a party. Or you can use them like I do to organize your papers and To Do items.
You can return the flag clothespins to the cardboard they came on (I simply trimmed off the printed part of the cardboard) and in the cellophane bag they came in for gift giving.
These DIY patriotic decorated clothespins are easy enough to make with younger kids and fun enough to make with older kids.
More patriotic projects:
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran and military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them.
Cynthia L says
These are so cute! We often use clothes pins in the kitchen to keep chip bags closed. I would love to decorate some and brighten my kitchen up! What a great idea! I need to look for the wider pins at Target!
Darlene says
Hi Susan. How cute are these! Cynthia is right. Clothes pins come in handy for all sorts of things so why not jazz them up!
Corinne says
These are adorable and since it’s all straight lines and dots, I bet even I could manage them! These will make fun accents at our 4th of July party.
Andrea says
These are so cute! I think these would make such a great party favor for a fourth of July party, or like Corinne said, even accents for a party 🙂
Tayrina says
Love it! Love the colors!!! Great idea! I love clothespins, they are very useful for other things!
Blessings,
Tayrina from
susan says
Thanks, Tayrina. I’m so happy with how they turned out.
Heather Hennessee says
Super cute. Thank you for sharing.
Nina Lewis says
I’m dropping by from Maybe She Made It link party. This is such a great — and easy — idea. (I love easy craft ideas!) This is one that my grandchildren could make!
I have a link party that I am trying to grow. I invite you to share this idea (and a couple of others) at my Grandma Ideas Sharing Time link up at http://grandmaideas.com. I think my readers would LOVE this idea, too.
My linkup closes at midnight tonight Mountain Standard Time. I hope to see you there! (If you don’t make it, you can always come back on Wednesday when a new one will be live.)
All the best,
Nina
Monroe says
How fun! My daughter would like to make these, and I have a ton of clothespins in my craft room.
Millie says
totally cute and could be a fun kid craft too! A couple of these clipped to some twine and some flags and you have a cool bunting too!
Kathy A says
Loved your clothespins. We use clothespins around here for “chip clips”, too. They’d also be great with self-adhesive magnets on the back to clip notes, coupons, kid’s pictures, etc. to the fridge.
susan says
Great idea, Kathy. Running out to find some magnets now.
bettyhowell says
Thank you my grand children will love this ideal
susan says
Have fun crafting with the grand kids, Betty, and happy 4th of July. 🙂
Eugenie Sawyer says
That is a great craft for the 4th of July
Eugenie Sawyer says
This could also be adapted to all Holidays
susan says
Now you’ve inspired me, Eugenie. Off to brainstorm clothespins for all holidays!
susan says
Thanks, Eugenie. They’re easy to make and so much fun to make at the same time.
Sage says
Really neat and Patriotic idea! We like to use gel pens to decorate clothespins. But we happen to have Patriotic colors to color these red,white and blue too. Thanks for another fun idea!
Small rubber stamps work on clothespins too…cats, stars, ladybugs, dogs, smilies… 🙂