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January 25, 2012

How To Alter A Vintage Doily


I often find vintage doilies that are less than perfect, but I never throw them out, I alter them




The crochet work is gorgeous, but often the fabric it's crocheted around was not the best, but the best they had and it's torn or stained from years of use



I don't pass up vintage, stained or torn doilies, and I never throw them out, I just alter them


It's very easy to do, the full instructions are on this post "crochet doily pillows"


You can fill the center with any fabric to match your decor


The Paris doily and perfume bottles are explained in this post "Copying images onto fabric"




The images are all from Graphics Fairy


I made these to sell at the "Fancy Flea" in April


The Dress form ball is February 7-14
 And I don't want anyone to be left out, If you do not have a blog, but would like to show your dress form, please send me a picture of your form.  My email is in the upper left corner of this blog, I'll make sure you get to the ball (Thanks for this great idea Laurie)

Happy Creating!

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50 comments:

  1. laxsupermomJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    What a smart idea! I've often seen tatty looking doilies for next to nothing. I'll have to bring some home next time I'm thrifting. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  2. red.neck chicJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Carol - you are amazing!!! THOSE ARE FANTASTIC!!! I bet you didn't bring even one home from the Fancy Flea!

    Lovin' it!
    ;-D robelyn

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  3. JudyJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    I think this idea is just super! I will be looking for some of these doilies in the future to transform them into these beauties! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    you are so talented, beautiful,work,

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  5. YayiJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    ¡Es una idea estupenda! Quedan maravillosos.
    Saludos.

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  6. The Altered BeeJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:44 AM

    So smart and beautiful to boot!

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  7. JuneJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:54 AM

    Carol I love these! They are scrumptious...everything I love!!! Thank you for the links too!
    hugs from here...

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    Carol,
    What a beautiful idea. I have many doilies from both of my grandmothers and would love to add a little something to them so I can show them off in my decor. thanks for the inspiration :)
    Tami @ Curb Alert!

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  9. UnknownJanuary 25, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    Awesome, Carol!!! I want to know the prices of the roses doilies ... they are exquisite creations.
    Have a great day~
    TTFN ~
    Hugs,
    Marydon

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  10. Carrie@comfortablycarriedawayJanuary 25, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    Carol you are brilliant! I have a whole box of these doilies that appear to have rust stains on the fabric portions...but now they have a new life!

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  11. Patricia @ 9th and DenverJanuary 25, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    I'm so excited about this little get together... I don't have a dress form-- but Laurie emailed me and we're hitching up... My blog-- her dress form... and we'll see y'all at the party!

    Pat

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  12. ~Lavender Dreamer~January 25, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    I love finding old crocheted linens but never thought about altering them! What a neat project and I good way to get some soft pink roses to go with my decor! I love them! ♥

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  13. UnknownJanuary 25, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    Carol, I just love these doilies! You never cease to amaze me at the ideas you come up with. I am going to try these as I have collected a few doilies myself. They should do great at the show!

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  14. DebbiedoosJanuary 25, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    NEVER would have thought to do this Carol. I love the idea, they are so pretty!

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  15. Sandy SteeleJanuary 25, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    Once again..you amaze me! I have often came across a doily that has a fabic inset that is less than perfect and ignored them. Now I will see them in an all new way. Thank you so much for all the great ideas and tutorials you share.

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  16. Terra January 25, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    You brought these back to life.

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  17. GinaJanuary 25, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    Yup, you amazed me once again!

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  18. Sissie's Shabby CottageJanuary 25, 2012 at 4:37 PM

    Hi Carol,
    What a great way to save pretty doilies! I love the fabric centers and the iron on images too.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  19. foreverdecoratingJanuary 25, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    What a great idea. I used to embroidery over the material and make pillows out of them, but putting new fabric on them is great.

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  20. Shabby chic SandyJanuary 25, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    What an inspiring post--love what you have done with these. So romantic looking.

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  21. GARAGE SALE GALJanuary 25, 2012 at 7:19 PM

    You are so talented and amazing!!! LOVE them! I need to learn the ideas that you share!
    I think I need a better printer too...mine is making "lines" on my copies/paper!
    Warmly,
    deb

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  22. hopeandjoyhomeJanuary 25, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    So cute Carol! I haave totes full of those "as -is" doilies..I will have to try this!

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Your vintage doilies are just beautiful...esp the roses and the transfers from graphics fairy.
    I'll keep my eyes open.
    patti

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  24. CreateologyJanuary 25, 2012 at 10:11 PM

    Your Fancy Flea is going to be over-the-moon Fabulous! Beautiful doilies dear...

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  25. UnknownJanuary 25, 2012 at 10:45 PM

    GOD I LOVE YOU!!!!! I just lit up when I saw that you posted tutorials and Im totally running off to check them out RIGHT NOW!!!! >:D I adore what you did to these doilies and Im so going to try!!!!

    Many happy hugs!

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  26. MelodeeJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:03 PM

    I love this Carol! I would so pass up something stained not thinking I could do something like this:) huh! thanks for the cute doily idea..

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  27. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    Carol, These are beautiful! I am always amazed at your creativity.
    xo, Sherry

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  28. By NelaJanuary 26, 2012 at 5:39 AM

    He descubierto tu blog y me ha encantado. Desde hoy lo sigo, si lo deseas te invito a conocer mi blog y si es de tu agrado, me gustaría tenerte como seguidora en mi blog para seguir en contacto. Un saludo muy cordial.
    Manoli.

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  29. Tammy@Beatrice BanksJanuary 26, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    Wow! I've never seen anything like that. Gorgeous! And a smart idea!

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  30. RobinJanuary 26, 2012 at 9:13 AM

    You are so sweet to share all your information! I learn something new every time I come here....I just love your blog. I hope you are having a great day.

    Hugs,
    Robin

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  31. Savannah GrannyJanuary 26, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    You are one talented gal!! I love this post but I had to go and read all the links as well.
    Love the use for the old doiles and I am going to try to make copies on fabric.
    You have the neatest ideas. I love to visit you, I learn something new every time.Ginger

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  32. NancyJanuary 26, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    Carol,
    That is a wonderful Idea!! I don't throw them out either, but save them in case I want the lace one day. I have to say you are really hauling ... for the Fancy Flea!! You are going to have a ton of Happy, Happy Customers!!

    Huggs, Nancy

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  33. farmhouse-storyJanuary 26, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    these are so darling, carol! thanks so much for sharing the info on them:) off to check it out!

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  34. Passionate for WhiteJanuary 26, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    LOVING the third one! You need an ETSY shop!

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  35. DebbieJanuary 26, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    Those are so pretty, Carol! I remember that post that you linked to. It was from that post that I learned how to print my own fabrics. I actually did it, too!

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  36. Celestina MarieJanuary 26, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Hi Carol, Your vintage doilies are lovely. I have done the same and also painted in the center when possible with textile medium mixed with my paint.
    Yours are gorgeous and I love the floral fabric. Thank you for sharing. Everything is useable.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  37. Heart Vintage Design January 26, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    Love this idea and can't wait until there are enough hours in the day to make all of the stuff you dream up!

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  38. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    thankyou so much for visiting tonight, I met the Amish when they bought my husbands family farm, we still have property just down the road from them.

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  39. Jane@Cottage at the CrossroadsJanuary 26, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    OMG! Your doilies are just beautiful! I have some that my sweet mother-in-law gave me before she passed. You have given me some wonderful ideas.

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  40. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonJanuary 26, 2012 at 10:27 PM

    Hi Carol, what a great idea. I never pass up vintage doilies either. I usually just love them the way they are. It would be fun to alter one now and then. Looking forward to bringing Penelope to the ball!
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  41. Betty January 26, 2012 at 11:09 PM

    What beautiful doilys. I too love vintage doilys. Thanks for the email you sent me about hacking. Now yours was a horrible one. Wow. Good to know I am not the only one.

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  42. debiJanuary 27, 2012 at 3:49 AM

    Carol, I am seriously swooning over your beautiful doilies!! That is both a beautiful, and brilliant idea!

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  43. Barb January 27, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Carol, this is a wonderful idea!

    All your samples are so lovely.

    Happy weekend,
    Barb

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  44. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    Carol,
    I love this idea!!
    Thanks so much for ALWAYS sharing your wonderful ideas with all of us!!

    Some people do not like to share their ideas for their creations because they are so afraid of being copied but you share your ideas freely!!
    Thanks again!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  45. SandyJanuary 31, 2012 at 11:30 PM

    Love your doilies.... and interested in the dress form ball...can't wait to see them all. I'm you newest follower, I'd love to invite you over to visit and follow me when you get a chance... Just posted a new dress form today...hope you'll hop over and see. Have a great week. xoso Sandy

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  46. Wanda MariaFebruary 2, 2012 at 4:38 AM

    These are beautiful! Thanks for sharing these with us!

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  47. Kelley StonekingFebruary 14, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    Carol,
    I just bought a bag-ful of vintage doilies, and some of them could benefit from this tutorial. Thank you!

    Can you tell me specifically which graphic you used for the 3rd one in (very creamy with small reddish cabbage roses and some leaves--not the more "star" doily)? I can't seem to find it on "The Graphics Fairy" and I would love to recreate that look.

    Once again, thank you for this tutorial. It's inspiring!

    Kelley

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  48. The Polka Dot ClosetFebruary 14, 2012 at 10:30 PM

    Kelly, I have no way to contact you to answer your question, so I will answer it here. the flowered ones are fabric that I had, I do not know the pattern or where I got them, The only ones that are from graphics fairies are the perfume bottles and French graphic,,,Good luck!

    Carol

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  49. Judy Ann LincicumSeptember 23, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    Would you be willing to tell me where I could find the beautiful rose fabric that you use in this post? I have been wanted to add some of this color and also roses as accent pieces to my bedroom and I just can't seem to find that right one. I'm hoping and praying it isn't a designer fabric that has been discontinued. Thanks for sharing, love this post. I just inherited 8-10 of these old vintage doilies from my Mom that were her Mothers and this is such a great idea! Hugs, Judy

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  50. NanetteJuly 30, 2015 at 11:17 AM

    Very inspirational! I make my own lace and your fabric choices will definitely inspire many future projects.

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