Explore five creative uses for vintage doilies

Whether you make them yourself, enjoy buying them, or have inherited a whole basket full from family or friends, it’s safe to say most people don’t have a shortage of doilies lying around their house. The intricate works of handmade lace are perfect for making your house feel like a home, but if you’re running out of room, don’t fret, there are still plenty of ways to get the most use out of your favourite decorative pieces!

Bowls for keeping your jewellery

• Mix clear drying glue and a small amount of water in a dish.
• Rub Vaseline onto a selection of different sized upturned bowls.
• Cover the upturned bowls with a doily.
• Paste the glue mixture over the doily and leave it to dry.
• After a couple of hours, gently remove the doily by flipping it over.

 

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Easy, new clothes for the grandkids

• Find a piece of clothing you want to upgrade — dresses and tops work best.
• Place the doily where it looks the prettiest and simply use a sewing machine or hand stitch it on.

 

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Create a pillow case

• Arrange doilies on one side of an empty plain pillowcase.
• Cut doilies to line up with the edges of the fabric.
• Reach your hand inside the pillow case and hand stitch doilies on with ivory thread. Once the edges are done, run your hand across the surface to find loose pieces of lace that also need to be sewn down.
• Fill pillowcase and place on display.

 

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Create decorative bunting

• Fold doilies and cut down the middle to have two identical halves.
• Lay a roll of bias tape and place the straight edge of the cut doily on top and sandwich inside.
• Sew over edges and gently pull to make sure doilies are secure.
• Make sure to leave enough room at the ends so you can tie it up.

 

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Create stencilled artwork

• Lay down sheets or newspaper to protect floors.
• Place the doily over a canvas, a piece of furniture or some clothing where you want the stencil to appear.
• Use a can of spray paint to cover the doily entirely.
• Wait for it to dry and carefully lift the doily off.

 

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