THREE TO MAKE, BUY OR CUSTOMISE

Every washing line needs a bag full of pegs nearby for easy pegging out. Buy a readymade one, turn a favourite piece of material into a bespoke version or cunningly create one from a child’s polo shirt

1 MAKE A peg bag is basically an envelope of fabric suspended from a clothes hanger, so it’s relatively easy to sew one. Register at sewandso.co.uk to download a PDF of a free Posh Peg Bag pattern, above, by Lisa Fordham. You will need a piece of fabric measuring 25x54cm (laminated or PVC fabric is best for weather resistance); a 60x2.5cm piece of bias binding and a wire coat hanger. Instructions are on ideas.sewandso.co.uk/vintagepeg-bag-sewing-pattern/. 2 BUY You could just fill your pockets with pegs as you head to the line, but it feels more orderly to fish them out of the custom-made bag hanging prettily before you. The continuing trend for all things vintage means that there are plenty of options to choose from, in a variety of sprigged fabrics. The sort of thing you won’t feel embarrassed about displaying to your neighbours. This Duck Egg Peggy Peg Bag (£6, raggedrose.com) has the necessary retro charm. 3 CUSTOMISE Here’s a clever thing: peg bags are suspended from a hanger so, rather than create a new bag from scratch, why not use an item that is already the right shape and size? Buy a child’s polo shirt (the one above is £3.99, hm.com), or better still use one they have grown out of or no longer like. Turn it inside out, stitch the bottom of the shirt closed about half way down the length of the body, trim surplus fabric, and turn it the right way round. Insert a child’s hanger and fill with pegs. Job done.