As you’ve probably noticed, I’m a fan of vintage crochet doilies and the handmade lace trims of days gone by. No surprise, figuring out inventive ways to display them is a favorite past time. So when I saw this idea online and wanted to give it go myself. This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience.
I lucked out on one of my thrifting adventures and scored several vintage embroidery hoops, in various sizes.
A thrift store staple…
My thrifting luck continued as I was able to pick up about half a dozen large vintage crochet doilies at a thrift store in their “antique” section (gosh I love those sections). Score!
Exactly what I was looking for…
For this project, I just needed a handful of materials:
- Embroidery hoops
- Pliers (to tighten at the end)
- Large round vintage crochet doilies
- Scissors (to trim excess doily)
- Fray-check or other fabric glue (Optional- but makes for a clean edge)
Creating Wall Art with Vintage Crochet Doilies
First step- separate your embroidery hoops, setting aside the outer ring (the one with the screw). Lay your doily on top of the inner ring, centered as much as possible, with the best side facing up (towards you). Then lay the outer ring over the draped inner ring.
Like making a doily pie…
Easy as pie!
And this is where it gets, well, tedious is too strong a word. But you have to fuss with it around and around now, tugging the edges of the doily to get it centered and taut, and periodically tightening down the outer ring. There is some back and forth involved- not difficult, but for anyone with perfectionistic tendencies, this will be the most aggravating part.
My great-grandfathers old pliers came in handy for this step.
Get it nice and tight…
When it as perfectly centered, taut, and tightened as can be, it’s time to trim the excess doily edge off. I know, I know, I wasn’t overly fond of this part either, but I figure it’s a sacrifice that doilies can make since being displayed on the wall is better than boxed up in the attic or gathering dust in an antique shop. If doilies had feelings, of course.
Final step!
After the glue dried (overnight), the final product…well, products. I did three more while you weren’t looking.
Ready to hang!
My husband ended up liking these a lot more than he had anticipated, so instead of relegation to a corner in our bedroom, they’ll be hung in the dining room for all to see.
LOVE!
Like snowflake decor all year long!
Easy-peasy AND husband-approved…definitely a win-win.
And if you’re looking for more simple upcycled projects, look no further than here to scroll through my entire collection.
Craft on!
S
Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?
Join me on Social Media:
PIN ME!
Love this! You could dye them black or put fake spiders on them…
Its all great! Love it and thanks so much for the inspiration.
This is such a great idea, it made me cry. I have doilies my mom made and they’re just sitting in a box where I can’t see them. I’m too sentimental to throw them out or give them away. This is great, I plan on going thrifting tomorrow! Thank you.
Thank you so very much, Maggie! Your comment is so very touching. If by any chance you want a few more doily ideas for your mom’s pieces, maybe these will inspire you, too: https://www.sadieseasongoods.com/master-bedroom-evolution-and-doily-display-2/ and https://www.sadieseasongoods.com/spring-doily-table-runner/ and https://www.sadieseasongoods.com/cottage-style-spring-decor/ .