This simple tutorial will show you how to make colorful magnetic clothespins to use on your fridge or command center.
It's fun to let your creative side out and make the ordinary more extraordinary. When I saw these clothespins in Hobby Lobby, I had an idea to create lovely colorful magnetic clothespins by decoupaging the faces and adding a little magnetic tape.
The process was really simple, and I can see all kinds of options for creating, as well as using these pretty little guys.
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How to Make Colorful Magnetic Clothespins
Supplies
Wooden Clothespins
Napkins, tissue paper, washi tape, or thin paper prints
Sandpaper
Mod Podge
Magnetic tape
I bet you have a nice collection of pretty napkins around, and they work great for this project. You can also use tissue paper or even something you printed from your computer.
I liked the look of these wide clothespins that came in a pack of 11 from Amazon but you could use any type of wooden clothespin.
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If you use a napkin, pull the backing sheet off, then hold the clothespin behind the image, to find the perfect place for your clothespin.
Cut a generous amount of the napkin to cover the clothespin and glue it into place with Mod Podge.
Use a piece of sandpaper, to rub against the edges, and remove any excess paper.
Then coat the top with a generous amount of Mod Podge. This will dry clear and help protect the finish.
You can continue this method for the back, or leave it plain. Then cut a strip of magnetic tape to place on the back. It will stick to the fridge, whiteboards, or any magnetically receptive surface.
Washi tape is another fun idea for embellishing clothespins. I found that it did not stick as well, but if you have one you really like, you could use some regular glue for permanence.
They make great present toppers.
A simple and fun way to create a little beauty to an ordinary clothespin. These colorful clothespin magnets are great for gifts and command centers.
Skip the magnetic tape and use them as pretty chip clips.
How to Make Colorful Magnetic Clothespins
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- Wooden Clothespins
- Napkins, tissue paper, washi tape or thin paper prints
- Sandpaper
- Mod Podge
- Magnetic tape
Instructions
- Pull the backing sheet off your napkin.
- Hold the clothespin behind the image and find the perfect place for your clothespin.
- Cut a generous amount of the napkin to cover the clothespin.
- Glue it into place with Mod Podge.
- Sand the edges.
- Coat the top with a generous amount of Mod Podge.
- Cut a strip of magnetic tape to place on the back.
Alexs
Do you remember where you got the clothes pins and napkins?
Patti Estep
Alexs, I got the napkins from Tuesday Morning. I don't remember where the clothes pins came from but they are very basic wooden clothes pins. Probably from the grocery store.
Alexa
Thank you!
Linda
I like the clothes pin
Patti Estep
Thanks Linda. A good use for pretty napkins.
Linda at Mixed Kreations
These are so pretty! I like using clothespins as chip clips, and these would be so cute! I like the idea of using them as magnets as well. Now I need some pretty napkins!
Patti Estep
Hi Linda,
I'm so glad you like the clothespins. They were fun to make. I'm always buying pretty napkins and then I don't want to use them so this is a good way to be able to keep them around.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
LAuren Greenwald
How do you get the magnetic tape to stick?!
Patti Estep
Lauren, the magnetic tape has an adhesive strip on one side. There's a link to the one I bought in the post, however, you may be able to find this anywhere.
Sue Flynn
What is the width of the clothespin as they look wider than the average clothes pin
Maybe half again as wide as a regular vlothespin
Patti Estep
Sue, the clothespins are just under 3/4 of an inch wide or 11/16.
Lisa Weinstein
Love them! So cute. Looks like I might even be able to do it.
Patti Estep
Hi Lisa,
I'm so glad you like them! They are really fun and easy.
Warning: they may become addictive. 🙂
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Marie Holmes
Hi Patti, I LOVE these! They are sooo cute. I use clothespins for bag and chip clips. These would be so nice for that purpose.
Patti Estep
Hi Marie,
Thanks for the lovely comment. I like to keep them on the frig for easy access. It seems like every time I need one for chips or any bag, they have vanished from the junk drawer. lol It probably just means I need to clean out the junk drawer!
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
carole
Great idea I hang my clothes outside to dry and these would be so pretty instead of the plain wood. I like the idea of adding them to a package too. Another fun project and this one is easy, I'm finding my attention span prefers easier projects this time of year.
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
I agree with you about the easy projects. There's always so much to do, especially this time of year.
The funny thing is I kept seeing these larger clothespins with in different styles in shops while we were on vacation. Of course they were on the expensive side and I had already written the post.
Thanks, as always for your lovely comment. Why not have pretty clothes pins for the clothesline.
Patti