Vintage doilies are a popular find at thrift stores, antique shops, and flea markets, often available at a bargain. These handcrafted crocheted pieces, once used to protect surfaces, have decreased in popularity for their original purpose. Still, they remain a charming decorative element in cottage and Victorian-style homes. If you’ve collected a stash of these pretty doilies and are unsure what to do with them, there are numerous DIY upcycling projects to explore. Transform them into festive ornaments, lampshades, curtains, or stenciled furniture pieces.
Old doilies that have seen better days or cherished heirlooms can be preserved with creative projects. These vintage finds, typically made from cotton or linen embroidery thread, are washable and can be dyed or left in their natural color. Over time, doilies may yellow or brown, which can be embraced for a vintage look or cleaned with gentle detergent. For stubborn stains, a mix of water and a small amount of bleach or stain remover can be used, though there’s a risk of damaging the fabric.
Hanging Décor
Transform your doilies into charming hanging pieces like windsocks and dream catchers using a wooden embroidery hoop. Secure a doily around the hoop and attach slender ribbons or fabrics to hang from the bottom, creating lovely accents for your porch or a dreamy nursery. You can also use embroidery hoops to craft a mobile with doilies of various sizes suspended by string or twine.
Doily-accented Curtains
Enhance plain curtains with doilies for a romantic and stylish touch. Doilies can be easily repurposed into curtains that provide privacy while allowing light and air to pass through. Lay them flat and sew them together where they meet. A valance made entirely of doilies can add a whimsical layer to create an eclectic, bohemian curtain look.
Doily Ornaments
Create beautiful holiday ornaments from old doilies using styrofoam or wooden ball ornament blanks. Attach the doily with glue or spray adhesive and add ribbons or other embellishments. Coat the doily with Mod Podge to harden it onto the surface. Hang them with fishing line or twine on your tree, where they’ll resemble snowflakes.
Pillow Embellishment
Add a doily to any pillow for a chic update in minutes. Secure the edges with a few stitches or fabric glue to attach the doily as a patch. You can also embellish towels or bed pillows with an applique doily. Sewing on a doily is a fun way to cover a stain or imperfection.
Glass Jar Lantern
Repurpose a glass jar into a delicate doily lantern. Use spray adhesive or Mod Podge to affix the doily around the jar. Add a votive candle or an LED light for a gentle glow. Perfect as a centerpiece or standalone décor on your table or mantel, you can also create a hanging version for outdoor use with wire or twine.
Decorative Globe
If you find an old globe at a thrift store, transform it by covering it with burlap and doilies. Secure burlap strips around the globe, then add small doilies to represent continents. Create a cute, rustic display by making several globes in varying sizes for your bookshelf.
Wall Art
Beautiful doilies can serve as artwork for your walls. For sentimental pieces, consider framing a vintage or heirloom doily. Alternatively, use Mod Podge to layer doilies on a canvas. Keep them natural for a neutral look or dye them for soft color. For a bolder statement, apply acrylic paint over the doilies, revealing only the texture.
Stenciled Furniture
Doilies serve as excellent stencils, adding texture and interest to furniture. Secure a doily to a surface and fill the holes with a stencil brush, then remove it. This technique is perfect for tabletops, chairs, and large furniture pieces. Use it on an accent wall for defined markings, then repurpose the painted doily for another project.
Decorative Bottles and Vases
Wrap a doily around a bottle using spray adhesive to create a chic vase. Use them on planters or votive holders, or combine small doilies for larger bottles. Paint over the doilies to leave only the texture visible through the paint.
Wreath Center
Add a doily to the center of a wreath for visual impact, pairing beautifully with natural woven materials. Secure it with stitches or a staple gun, then fill the wreath with elements like lace ribbons or flowers.
Decorative Bunting
Craft a string of bunting from doilies for special occasions or year-round décor. Attach doily pieces to a ribbon, twine, or fabric strip. Incorporate napkins, vintage hankies, and textiles to complete the garland. Cut them into shapes like hearts or stars for holiday-themed bunting.
Doily Bowls
Transform any doily into a dish by dipping it in glue to stiffen it, then shaping it around a bowl or mold. Once dry, it retains the rounded shape. This DIY is suitable for any size doily and bowl, from large decorative objects to small bowls for accessories.
Patchwork Lampshade
Add doilies to a lampshade for cottage-style charm. Assemble them with adhesive in a patchwork, or use sewn doily pieces stretched over a wire frame. The doilies will give your lighting a romantic look and cast interesting patterns on the walls.
Flower Appliques
Create floral accents by cutting doilies into flower shapes and layering them into rosettes. Add a vintage button or pearl in the center for extra glam. These flowers make lovely accents on pillows, tablecloths, curtains, or walls, adding texture and charm.
