June 6, 2013

Altering Vintage Doilies

Altering Vintage Doilies


I've been saving vintage doilies to go on an altering marathon



I often find doilies that are stained and have holes in them 



Time to give them new life

 The full tutorial on how to alter doilies is HERE.  I've previously altered them not only by changing up the center fabric but, by stamping them with rubber stamps or printing a graphic on the material before I sew it in the center, you can see those doilies HERE



You can use vintage or new fabric, it's a great way to use up small fabric scraps


This is more like a table topper...Huge!


This was a sweet rose fabric I purchased from Carousel Fabrics





So, there ya go, don't throw out those ripped or stained doilies, give them new life!

When I showed the last batch I altered, I got many emails about purchasing them and I felt bad because I had taken them all to my antiques booth.......So, this time I put a few in my online store
The Polka Dot Closet.
  
Have a great weekend!
  

Happy Creating!
Carol

44 comments:

theromanticrose said...

Bellissima soluzione!Sono romantici!Saluti,Rosetta

The Speckled Hen Cottage said...

These are so wonderful. Where do you get you rose fabric that's not vintage?

Anonymous said...

beautiful, I love the table topper!! Wo w thats beautiful, you are just so crafty, the crafty queen you are!!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Oh now! these are cute as can be! Seriously!
and I followed the links...and you gave a great tute too. As always...
:P

vintage grey said...

So beautiful and such a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!! I will have to try this!! Have a lovely week! xo Heather

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

These are all so beautiful. I was just looking at pillows made with doilies as embellishments. I need to get better at crochet! Hugs!

Unknown said...

I love these! you always have the cutest idea's, you truly are very talented I always enjoy my visits to the polka dot closet xo Elle@sweetpeaschicnshabbies

Anonymous said...

You are a non stop source of inspiration! Thanks so much for blogging and sharing it all with us! ♥

June said...

Carol, I love these doilies! Vintage linens add so much character to a project. Can't wait to pull some from my stash and try filling the centers with beautiful floral fabric!

Createology said...

I dream of living in a tiny little cottage with everything you so beautifully create. Of course this would be without my husband who does not like anything I like, adore, love! Blissful Doilies Dear...

Blessings from Cindy said...

Your doilies are absolutely beautiful! I collect antique doilies & lace anywhere I can find it & this is such a great idea to cover the less than desirable areas. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Cindy

Gina said...

These are so pretty, Carol! You always have the best ideas!

Kassandra said...

Since I saw your first post about altering doilies, I´d been collecting old, stained and/or holed ones, but for some reason I hadn´t decided to put down to work yet... Thanks for coming back to the issue, you truly inspired me to start right now!
Hugs,
K.

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

What a great idea to make something useful and beautiful so that it can be used again! Very pretty! Nancy

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Love the fabric you used! Pretty cottage flowers! Keep creating:)
Cloudy today :(
warmly,
deb

Our Hopeful Home said...

Ingenious! I never would have thought of this, they're all beautiful! I especially love the graphic one. The first rose one, it's my daughter's bedroom curtains, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic line for Target. Great job!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a great idea! So charming!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

What a great idea Carol. I never thought about this before, but now I need to give my "not so perfect" doilies a second look.

Vicky said...

Great post, this is a great idea Carol, a great inspiration to me.

Shabby chic Sandy said...

What a great idea--those look so pretty and updated! Love it!

Maureen Wyatt said...

These are so beautiful that, once again, I'm pinning. I should start a board that is called "Everything Polka Dot Closet Does"!

Diane said...

Those look great! Really fab! I think the original crocheters would be very pleased!

Martinel said...

Fantastic!!Very good idea!Thank you so much for sharing with us:)

Debbi said...

Carol, these are very pretty! I have been doing these for a while too and selling well on my website. But sometimes they can be hard to find with just the right crochet.

Anonymous said...

I just LOVE creative people! Great Idea! :-)

robin :-)

Unknown said...

Fabulous idea Carol! I love all the roses. Have to think twice next time I find some ...
TTFN ~
Marydon

Rhissanna said...

What a wonderful idea and what a sweet way to preserve all that work that goes into the original crochet.
I love that rose fabric you use!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol, great idea. Love them by adding fabric. The table topper is gorgeous.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs

farmhouse-story said...

not only are these so clever, they are adorable, carol! tfs!!

Little Miss Maggie said...

I love them all, Carol, but my favorites are the ones with the postage stamp. Love the rose fabrics you used.

LUNA said...

Wspaniałe!

Connie said...

Hi Carol, you have the ability to take anything and make it better.
I love visiting your blog :)
Connie

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Carol,
this is such a wonderful idea. I love the fabrics that you have chosen. I bet they don't last long.
You never cease to amaze me with your talent.

hugs
Sissie

Laurie Brown said...

Even really tattered doilies can be used by cutting out the good bits and using them over the corner of a picture printed on fabric or the like. I machine sew about 1/4" away from where I'm going to cut to keep it from unraveling. The cut edge is later hidden under a frame or another piece of lace or buttons or something.

Great tutorial, BTW!

Connie said...

Hi Carol, I just wanted to tell you that I ordered some water-slide paper . . . I can not wait until it arrives so I can try it. Thanks for the great tutorial and the inspiration :)
Your blogging sister, Connie :)

Lala said...

love the idea! looks so beautiful!

Delightful Ideas
Bag Giveaway

Debbie said...

I love the largest ones the best of all. I love the huge one that is a table topper, and that square one with the blue is a favorite too.

Connie@shabbyforsure said...

Hi, These are beautiful. You come up with so many pretty projects I can't keep up! Carol, would you please check out my latest post and see if you can help me with something? I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance...Connie

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Such a sweet and beautiful idea Carol! I only wish my mother saved my grandmother's doilies. She had so many of them.

Debbiedoos said...

Oh how pretty Carol. I love doileys..even though my husband hates them LOL..I have a few scattered about here and there.

Laurel Stephens said...

I really love these doilies with fabric in the middle, so now I'm kicking myself for giving all my old doilies away! When will I ever learn? Sigh...

Laurel Stephens said...

Back to feature your sweet doilies on Friday Finds. I just love your blog!

Cynthia said...

What gorgeous pieces, I found you on Feature Fridays and will be following your terrific blog. Hope you will pop over to Cloches and Lavender we are taking a fun journey and I will be posting about it!!


Cynthia

Deedeeto2 said...

What a great idea...I'm going to try transferring a old black and white photo in the center