This is an easy project with a big reward. It keeps doll clothes instantly available hanging in the closet or wardrobe chest right along with your child's own outfits.
I got the idea from seeing a few large safety pins in the bottom of my sewing basket - the size I use to pin layers of a comforter together before tufting. Actually they are probably just the largest multipurpose size available anywhere safety pins are sold.
I've seen them in craft and fabric stores - even the large grocery stores and drug stores. Alternately, you could use diaper pins, available wherever baby products are sold.
Supplies for this very easy project to make one hanging doll clothes bag:
- One pillow case.
- 6 very large safety pins.
- Five feet strong ribbon about one half inch wide; I prefer cross grain ribbon for this project.
- One sturdy plastic molded hanger (the kind that are usually sold 5 or 10 to a packet).
To make
1. Take the pillow case and fold the hem of the open end in half toward the outside. This will be about 2 inches folded over.
2. Using the 6 large safety pins - pin the folded over hem in place all around. Use 3 safety pins on each side evenly spaced. The pins should be attached so there is a casing formed near the new fold edge. If the fold over is 2 inches then place the pins at 1 inch.
3. Looking face on at the pillow, like in the photo, start at the left side of the center safety pin and run the ribbon through the loose casing you have formed, and bring the end out on the right side of the center safety pin that you started threading the ribbon around. This secures your ribbon in position.
4. Tie a knot in the two ends of the ribbon.
5. Pull the ribbon on the knotted ends to gather the opening of the pillow case slightly.
6. Slip the knotted loop of ribbon over the neck of the hanger part that sits on the clothes rod.
Voila! Instant doll clothes fabric case - all ready to hang in the closet alongside blouses or dresses to keep those precious doll clothes handy!
If your daughter or granddaughter has several dolls with lots of clothes you may want to make a couple or several of these no sew hanging bags. Two would be easy enough since two pillowcases usually come in one package.
Costuming Techniques
Index of Doll Costumes
Article and photo credit by Susan Kramer
