Doily collection

This post came about as my dear friend Meryl and I were talking about her upcoming issue of Romantic Homes, featuring flea markets.

We were discussing how her readers display their treasured collections, and I shared with her some of my ideas and a simple project that I had done using my vintage doily collection that is super easy and fun!

This is what you will need...

a collection of miscellaneous sized doilies 

a solid colored table cloth

thread to match the doily color

sewing needle (optional)

scissors

Instructions...

Dress your table with a freshly ironed table cloth.

Beginning in the center and working your way out to each 

end of the table, lay your doilies out so that their edges are just touching.

This is much like working on a jigsaw puzzle.

For this look, you want it to be long and narrow.

When you have them laid out to your satisfaction,

using a needle and thread tie them together with a simple 

double knot.

 

This keeps them from moving about.

Continue adding until you are satisfied with the result.

I like it, just spilling off the tables edge.

This doily runner could be laid down the center of a solid 

colored  bedspread for added interest, 

when not in use on the dining room table.

Happy Mother's Day!


And for another vintage doily tablecloth idea click here.

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Vintage doilies and clay creations

I've been collecting vintage doilies for some time now and love using them for embellishing clothing, tablecloths and yes, even ceramic creations.

When they are covered in liquid clay and attached to a clay form the cotton burns away in firing and you are left with the beautiful  lace pattern. 

before firing

Here is an example of how I am using the doily as the pattern to cut varying size holes in the clay forming a flower frog.

This is a great way to repurpose damaged doilies.

These pieces had stains and the two small ones were ripped in the center.

When it came out of firing,

 I liked the white matte finish so well that I chose to leave it and only glazed the insides and bottom to make the pieces water tight.

This is a creative way for repurposing someones handcrafted pieces beautifully 

and preserving the past.

Vintage Doilies

This idea has been spinning in my imagination for some time now.

 I knew exactly which table cloth I wanted to experiment with.

It's a small square table topper in a cream color fabric 

that I created to lay over a lush green velvet covered round table.

I pulled out a stash of vintage doilies 

and began laying them out along the edge.

You can hand stitch them in place once you have positioned them.

I'm not done yet, I need to keep adding to it.
I need to find some square and oval shapes too.

I just wanted to get the post up and share the fun.

This is a super easy DIY project 

and a great way to enjoy your favorite vintage doilies.

Here is a little tip, if you don't have enough to go all the way around,

 you can cut them in half and sew the raw edges carefully into the hem.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!