Whistle while you work -- Clothespin bag

Somewhere recently I discovered/heard that there was such a gizmo as a bias tape maker.  Maybe it was one of those things I googled on the random chance such a thing exists in the world.  And what do you know -- it does!  And to boot I can buy it locally here in Lincoln (granted they didn't have all the sizes, but I'll try the one and if I like it I'll wait till there's free shipping on either Joann Fabrics or Hancock's website) at Hancock fabric!  I might try seeing if some of our quilting shops carry them too, since it seems that making your own binding is huge in the quilting world.  I don't quilt, so I don't frequent those shops, but the lovely fabric -- so tempting and why I stay away!  :)

So this is what a binding tape looks like.  It for making 1 inch bias tape.  I tried it this afternoon. . . with less than stellar results.  I was rather disappointed, because I was super excited about it.  I was tempted to order some online, but shipping was almost as much as the gizmo . . . But this was only my first try.  I think I will try using wider strips of material.  If that doesn't work, either I need to use some heavier fabric (I was using cotton quilting fabric) or maybe bend the metal tip down a little.

So what did I make with my bias tape?  Well last night I tried my hand at replicating a clothespin bag that I saw in a book this past week while checking in books.  I don't remember what book it was, though I think it was a new one we recieved.  If so I'm sure to come across it again and can post the title. 

But here's my version, which I do have to say came out pretty nicely.
Though that bias tape . . .it might have ended up looking better with just the raw edgest showing!  Here's how I altered the pattern from what was in the book.  Keep in mind I didn't actually have to book in front of me or have an actual pattern, so I just free hand drew the general shape  based on the side of my hanger.

• wooden hanger = recycled a small plastic hanger that came with something I bought
• canvas = upcycled some old blue jeans.  These are from pant legs which is why this turned out a little smaller than the origional
• the origional used a clothsline theme and appliqued clothes hanging from the line.  While cute, I decided to go with some yellow fleece birds that I free hand drew and then sewed on with embroidery thread.  
• Added ribbon with the phrase "LAUNDRY DAY" just in case I forgot what this was for! ;)
• it seemed fitting that I would use my old ironing board cover as the lining of this clothespin bag.  
• The binding was just left over material from when I made Charles his fabric blocks.

Only thing left to do after sewing it all up was to add my clothes pins!  Now I just need to hang up my clothes line in my basement.  I haven't done that yet cuz I think it will be a project all in itself because I'm contemplating hanging up fabric on the ceiling.  It's an unfinished basement and I don't want dirt sifting down on my clean laundry as I'm walking around upstairs. 

Here's a close up of my handiwork on the embellishments!