Friday, August 10, 2012

Let's do things with doilies...

(UPDATE: March 2015 - I remade the photo above to work in with my 2015 Year of Gentle Domesticity)


As I shared the other day after my linen cupboard clean-out re-organisation, I have re-acquainted myself with scores of lovely doilies, napkins, and tablecloths collected over the last twelve years or so.
With the children now all grown up and living adult lives, my precious linen treasures are no longer in use during our daily afternoon teas, hence their relegation to a tub in my linen cupboard.
I decided that apart from a few favoured pieces kept for occasional table settings, celebrations, or visits by friends, I'd find a sensible use for the rest.
Today I chose to play with some delicate crocheted doilies.


When I was a little girl my nana would set the table for every meal, and in the centre of the table, next to a mountain of freshly sliced bread, would be a jug of milk to use in our cups of tea. Draped gently over the jug hung a crocheted, bead edged, doily.
As I fondled the pretty hand crocheted doilies today I had that picture in my mind. So, remembering we had a large box of beads leftover from Blossom's beading hobby so I set to work.
One of my china treasures is a sugar bowl with no lid. I chose a doily, and some jade beads that matched the colours on the bowl, as my first project.


Fine crochet cotton in the same colour as the doily was threaded onto my needle, and I began weaving the thread into the crochet near where I wanted my first bead to hang...

I made a knot in the end...


 ...and threaded a jade bead onto the cotton, before making another knot right near the first, to hold the bead in place. I left a little slack in the cotton so the bead could dangle.


Then I weaved the cotton back through the crochet of the doily for about 1/2 an inch. 


Clip the end of the cotton.


Continue on for all 'points' of the doily until you're done.
Doesn't it look pretty!?

 

 The green matched the leaves on my sugar bowl perfectly!
Doily number 2: I chose pink glass beads for the edging because they matched the roses this time.

 


It takes about 15 minutes to make one small beaded jug cover from a crocheted doily. 
Wouldn't they make simple but sweet Christmas or swap gifts?


During August I am going to attempt to 'makeover' a number of crocheted or embroidered linen doilies. Would you like to join in?
We'll call it "The Great Doily Makeover"! 
If you've done something with a doily, leave a comment with a link to your blog so we can have a look. If you don't have a blog please email me with a photo and I'll share it here. :-)
I'll share my next makeover in a day or two.
~~~~~

Have a wonderful weekend!!
Hugs
Jenny
xx


19 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

Very sweet and Jenny like! Looking forward to your crochet makeovers. Happy Shop Cleaning.

Angela said...

SO much nicer to cover with a beaded doyley than with a piece of clingfilm!
blessings x

I am just reconsidering the use of traycloths - ALWAYS used by Mum and Gran. Perhaps t is time I revived the habit in this family!!

Jo in TAS said...

So pretty Jen, my grandma used them over her bowls and jugs too.....lovely memories!
Hugs
Jo

Vicki ♥ said...

You have won my heart once again Jen and I so love what you have done with the doilys :) I have lots of doilys and so I look forward to seeing your creations. It might even inspire my creative juices into thinking up something too :) Hugs Vicki xxx

Rosa-Munda said...

Thanks Jenny for sharing - I have a pretty doiley which is calling out for this treatment. Ros x

Deborah Jennings said...

Jenny, I love this idea! Now to get out my crochet thread and whip up some doilies. I have made them before to put on the top of jars (canning jars with a 2 piece rim). They are great for potpourri too! So many things to do and so little time to do it in! I can't wait to see what is next! But then I love your Blog and the magazine, too. This month's comes out on my oldest daughter's 44th birthday. Man am I getting old! LOL

Allie said...

This is just gorgeous, dear girl, what a lovely idea. I do have some doilies packed away, I'll have to find them! I am so glad you're getting back to your roots, dear girl, and I am praying for Mark, I hope his head cold doesn't catch you!

Carrie P. said...

sweet idea for the doilies. you are so smart.

Maysa said...

PortugueseEnglishSpanishAlpha
Colleague, I love your blog, but a pity that I live here in Brazil and I have to use a translator because I do not know whit the English unless I LOVE YOU but I love her embroidery and her daughter is well into its next phase of life? These are beautiful copper pot
Sincerely
elisa

cottonreel said...

Yes Jenny , Good thinking on the doily business

Country Whispers said...

Love the dainty little beaded doilies.

DIAN said...

Hi Jenny, I often use "upcycled" doileys in my textile adventures. I will find some recent examples and enclose a link.

I love the idea of the jug covers. So pretty and useful.

Chartreuse Moose said...

Delightful post! Love the doilies and the memories they hold! Sweet!
Good luck with new adventure!

Dolores said...

Just a quick question: Do you do your own manicure or do you treat yourself. This, from one who never pampers her nails but is so envious of yours.

grammajudyb said...

I love the little beaded doilie to cover a creamer or sugar bowl. Such a cute idea.
Here is a link to my blog where there is a picture of a friend's doily quilt.

http://grammajudyb.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-week-in-review.html

Kaylee said...

Love the beads Jenny, please let me know where I can buy some. Cheers Kaylee

Jacqueline said...

You are sew creative. Thank you for all you share. It sparks creativity.

Susan said...

Oh, I had forgotten these! They are so pretty, and I meant to make some. I probably won't get to it for this Christmas, but I'm going to look at doing something for certain special friends. Thank you for the reminder!

Rosalyne ransley said...

What beautiful work. As a Country Womens Assosiation here is South Australia we are making covers for milk jugs and beading them with different articles, beads, bells and whatever comes to mind, they bring back loving memories of my nan. I hate that I am hopeless at crochet or knitting. Rosalyne