Have a box of doilies. What do I do with them?

Question

I found a box of doilies that my great aunt crocheted probably 50 years ago. I placed some throughout my house, under plants and on tables, etc but I hate to get rid of them since she took the time to crochet them. Does anyone have any creative ideas on what to do with what I have left?!

Mary Insana · Answer

How many do you have? If its possible get a piece of unbleached muslin and cut two panels to a pillow size. On each panel you can sew the doilies and even overlap some. Then sew them together add a pillow and sew shut. You can display them on a bed, couch, or even standing on a mantel or bookcase if their small. 
You could also get a piece of quilted material at a fabric store. On one side you can had sew the doilies on in a nice pattern and use his as a couch or bed throw.
Another idea is to get a large poster size frame and use poster board in a complimentary color to your home. Lay the doilies on the poster board in a nice arrangement then you can display them if that's a direction you would want to go.

Kim · Answer

A table runner , table clothe , or display them in shadow boxes

Diane Carlisle · Answer

Make a skirt with them, cover a vest with them, put them together to make a jacket, or a tablecloth. Good luck and come back and show us what you made with them.

TJ · Answer

I have seen them framed and really liked that look. Hand crocheted doilies are alot of work - I know because I started one when I was pregnant with one of my kids. The doily is still not finished and both of my 'kids' are over 40 yo.

Pat Lindau · Answer

The latest I've seen is folks using them in Quilts for Table runners. Simply make the quilt from 'Cheater Cloth' and applique the doily's. It's a really nice look if you use bright colors for your basic cloth.

Becky Jeffress · Answer

My sister has a rather large-20' diameter maybe-one that our grandma had started-framed leaving the end piece of thread showing as if she could come back and pick it up and finish. It's simply placed on a mat that she likes and put into a frame, it's a treasured keepsake. You will find things to do with them, even possibly sharing with other relatives that might love one, or make some into framed pieces for gifts for those relatives.

Brenda Smith · Answer

they look pretty sewn onto solid throw pillows.  several on an antique iron bed would look great 
also there's a woman in CA who makes beautiful blouses using old linens ...

Patricia · Answer

I have some that I want to make into a lampshade or two.

Alice Sheppard · Answer

Starch them and hang them from a window, with clear fishing line, in different levels. I would choose a window that does not expose them to the hottest sun. Have fun displaying them!
In Europe they used to frame them and hang them in the windows.

Sia@South 47th · Answer

How about a cool little purse? OR Sew some together, starch, then hang over a hat form, for a hat OR Run some line through them for a cottage-y 'valance' OR Sew some together for a foot-'puff'-stool. OR starch, and drape into a 'cone' to hold dried flowers. Just some of the top of my head ideas. ;)

Sia@South 47th · Answer

@Patricia They do make very chic lampshades! xo

Mary Insana · Answer

I like the starch and make into a cone idea, I have a lot of doilies that my mother-in-law made and every time one of the relatives come from Italy to visit they always bring hand made doilies in all different sizes and shapes. I do use some of them but the doilies would look cool starched into a cone or Mod Podged on a wine bottle for a vase. Add a brown twine or ribbon and you have a cool gift. Now gotta start draining the wine bottles hehehe

Sia@South 47th · Answer

@Mary I. Maybe we should have a 'Wine' party???? LOL!!!!

Mary Insana · Answer

I'll grab a bottle right now and get started lol.....but seriously I am having a glass right now. :)

Sia@South 47th · Answer

@Mary I. Hahahahahaa!!! I'm having a 'Teeny Martini' LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sia@South 47th · Answer

@Mary I. We are going to come up with some FAB NEW ideas OR? Remember ones we have done Ahahahhahaaaaa

Mary Insana · Answer

Chipotle Martinis on Carnival cruise............less than a month I can almost taste it now.

Becca Frierson · Answer

sew beads on the edges for weight and use to cover tea glass when outside to keep bugs out ...

Kim 'Kiewatt' Waknitz · Answer

Lay them out and stitch em together to make a table runner.

Nancy G · Answer

Patricia, you beat me to it! LOL You can take the doilies (even stained ones) and stitch them together and then cover a stripped down lampshade. It looks great!

Kelly S · Answer

Sew them together for a curtain or table cloth.

Sherry · Answer

I saw a recent post of how to make a 'Dream Catcher' using Doiles. They were beautiful

Deborah · Answer

Use them for stencils. Spray paint over chair seats or stepping stones. Lots of ideas on pinterest

Beloved M'Beloved · Answer

So much you can do with doilies !!!! I have a few that I want to decoupage onto some table tops ! Who knows I might end up decoupaging them on some pretty paper for the background on a plaque to hang on walls !

Patty Atwood · Answer

If you don't want them I will take them. lol I love old dollies.

Sally · Answer

Another Pinterest idea. Using fabric stiffener, mold over (or inside) bowl. Let dry. It will be in that shape (of course). A ruffled edge is easy by adding balls of aluminum foil for the doiley to drape over.

Catherine Smith · Answer

I have several made by both my great-great grandmother and my DH's grandmother starched and framed in shadow boxes, with pertinent information regarding who and when they were made in a special pocket in the back. 
Thet will hopefully be family heirlooms one day. I even have some of mine, done when I was a young woman and could still see to do that kind of fine needle work,put aside. I use to take Blue ribbons with my embroidery and petite point pieces and have those as well. However, since my great aunt taught me the skill, I taught both my sons(as, I have no daughters)fancy hand stitching,to try and preserve the skill. Both of them have taken Blue ribbons and several Best of Show awards with their work my oldest still does it as a hobby. His Christmas gifts can be very beautiful, since he is expert enough to do free hand. I think my Aunt would be very pleased.

Mabeline · Answer

Frame them - display them in memory boxes or regular frames as works of art

Linda Fraser · Answer

I crochet and what I did was I bought some frames and framed them and hung them down my hall. I have had al ot of compliments on them.

Josefina Velez · Answer

I would make a dining table cloth.

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