Doilies have come a long way in our history. What began as rough scraps of fabric to protect the furniture or a mantel has turned into a beautiful, creative art form. They began as a use of idle hands, which were frowned upon into a way to showcase a person talent and creative flair. In the past, doilies were placed under candlesticks, lamps, teacups, dinnerware, knick-knacks and even on the arms and backs of chairs. Today, they are more of a decorative item.
There are a lot of ways to display a doily. There are the traditional uses, of course, but often we don’t want to actually USE a doily. Perhaps it is a family heirloom, or one of the new trends in doilies that displays a family surname. These are not doilies that we want exposed to dust, little fingers or the possible spill of liquid or candle wax. These are the kind of doilies we want to preserve and to show off in our homes. There are a lot of ways to display a doily. Here are two of my favorite ways, both stunning and protective of the delicate lace that makes up a doily.
One of the best ways to exhibit a doily is in a shadowbox. These can be purchased at a craft store, or custom-made by a reputable framing shop. Choose a box that is several inches larger than the doily. To prepare the doily, it will need to be stiffened. There are several ways to do this. Fabric stiffener is available at most craft stores. However, if you do not want to use this type of product on an old doily, warm water mixed with plain white sugar will do the trick nicely. Immerse the doily in the stiffener. Once it is saturated, place it on a plain cotton dishtowel on top of a folded terrycloth towel. Spread it out gently, smoothing out any creases or wrinkles. Using some pins, gently tack the outer edge down to the towel. Working in a circular motion, tack each area of the doily down so that it will not shrink up or curl as it dries. It will need to dry for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Choose a backing product for the shadowbox. It can be a piece of fabric, some acid-free paper, or other media. Cut it to fit the box and glue it down with craft glue and allow it to dry. Next, take the stiffened doily and place it in the shadowbox. Using small dabs of craft glue to position it, then allow it to dry before assembling the rest of the shadowbox. Now you doily is protected and attractively displayed.
Another impressive way to display a doily is using a large, round metal hoop. They can be purchased at craft stores, and are about ½” thick and are available in a variety of diameters that are adjustable. You will want a hoop that is nearly the exact size of your doily. The doily will need to be stiffened, using one of the methods described above. After it is dry, lay it in the hoop. Using small pieces of thread that match the doily, tie it to the hoop at each point. Make each tie into a double knot. Take a small amount of craft glue and dab it on the knot to secure it. Cut off the excess ends of thread and allow the glue to dry. The hoop can then be hung in a large picture window or against a wall. It is a dramatic way to display a family heirloom or personal project.
Smaller doilies can often be used in other projects. For instance, they can become part of a Christmas angel’s skirt, or appliquéd on clothing, or used as a table center. Any of these ideas are a good way to turn a much-loved family heirloom into a modern decorative item.
