Delightful Ways with Doilies

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  Their beauty is often overlooked. Yet the delicacy and variety of doilies make them well worth bringing to the fore in fresh new ways. Stylist and crafter Paul Lowe values vintage doilies for their soft drape and intricate lacy appearance. "Still, there's no reason that these handmade pieces of history need to be used only beneath vases and lamps," he says. "To really enjoy doilies, re-create their roles." Most of us already have collections of this delicate handiwork tucked away, so getting started on these doily projects is simple. But even if you don't, online auctions, flea markets, and tag sales are terrific places to find them, often in bulk, at prices that are hard to beat. Here, a dozen of Paul's favorite projects and tips for how to create them yourself.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

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  REFRESH & RECONSIDER
  To refresh and brighten aged doilies, hand-wash in warm, soapy water and air-dry before pressing flat. Or leave them as is. Ecru, white, cream, and yellowed doilies can be combined in projects for a soft, tonal palette, or used separately for a more uniform look.
  
  Giving shape and dimension to lace begins with providing a form. A simple wire hanger can do this, as can a lampshade, bowl, or vase. "Shaping doilies allows light to pass through their beautiful handiwork, emphasizing their delicacy and design," says Paul.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

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  Roll a doily into a rose
  1 Fold a round doily in half, then roll it to form a cone. Crocheted versions yield the best results.
  2 With an elastic band, secure its base.
  3 Fold, then roll a second round doily around the first, again securing with an elastic band.
  4 Embellish the bloom with millinery leaves, slipping the stem into the elastic band.
  5 Use as a corsage or a gift topper.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

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  QUICK STITCH: Handbag
  
  Make it any size! For the lining, cut two fabric circles, about 3/4 inch smaller than the two doilies. Right sides together, sew together the lining pieces, leaving an opening at the top; turn right side out. Sandwich lining between doilies and topstitch through all layers (lining included), leaving an opening at the top. From a runner, cut a wide handle, folding it lengthwise in thirds. Machine-stitch down its length. At the lining's opening, turn under the raw edges; stitch the ends of the handle inside.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

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  Cheaper by the dozens
  
  1 Paul buys vintage doilies on eBay, at flea markets, and at tag sales. Recently, he purchased a box of about 200 doilies for just under $80, allowing him to create pretty projects for pennies.
  2 Bella Lace sells heritage-style doilies; bellalace.com.
  3 You can also craft with new lace trim in wide strips made up of a series of medallions; mjtrim.com.
  4 For inexpensive doilies, visit Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores; joann.com.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

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  HEADBAND Isn't it romantic? Fashion this hair accessory by snipping medallions from a lace runner and machine-stitching them along a length of velvet ribbon or a piece of elastic.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

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  JACKET Pin doilies, corsage-style, to a favorite sweater, then machine- or slip-stitch in place.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

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  BRACELETS These inexpensive plastic bracelets are wrapped in a strip of cut lace that is secured inside with a hot-glue gun.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

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  SHAPE: Two ways
  For the lampshade, remove the original fabric, leaving only the frame. Pin small doilies around the top, and then to one another, for a skirtlike effect. Remove pinned doilies. Machine-stitch together. Slip "skirt" over frame; hand-stitch around frame's top.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch

• 

  To shape a basket, soak a doily in liquid starch, squeeze out excess, and place doily over an inverted glass bowl covered in waxed paper. Dry one to three days, depending on humidity.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Delightful Ways With Doilies

  Frances Janisch