Doilies aren’t exactly a new idea. Chances are, our great grandmothers had doilies on their wedding tables. Today, brides have been taking doilies and using them in new, creative ways to add a romantic, vintage touch to their wedding decor. Here are a few of our current favorites:
Doily Garland
This gorgeous garland would be very simple to make using inexpensive paper doilies and strings of Christmas lights. This would be beautiful over a dessert or candy buffet table or to decorate the ceiling for a tent wedding.
Doily Candle Holder
This simple project is made by soaking cloth doilies in sugar starch and then forming it around a balloon. One the starch dries, pop the balloon and you have a romantic tea light holder that can be used as part of your tablescape.
Doily Balls
I LOVE this idea – it’s a romantic vintage take on the paper lantern. You can use it lighted for a romantic glow or unlighted depending on your decor. Check out the project at More Designs Please.
Doily Covered Jars
If you’re planning a rustic wedding with a romantic touch – these are perfect. Mason jars covered in doilies can then be decorated with ribbon, yarn, string and other small embellishments to match your decor.
#1 by Connie Kiers - January 27th, 2012 at 21:02
Do you have the amounts of what is needed and more detailed instructions for the doily candle holder? It’s very pretty. I also like the jars.
#2 by LOu - January 27th, 2012 at 22:43
Love your site with such easy and so affordable ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!
#3 by Elesif - February 9th, 2012 at 10:59
I LOVE the doily candle holder! Where do you find doily’s like that one? I’ve done a little searching and can’t find anything like it.
#4 by jill davis - February 21st, 2012 at 01:50
Love the doiley candle holder! Have not been able to find similar doilys to make this holder. Can these be ordered somewhere, I would also like to have the sugar/starch/water amounts. Thanks
#5 by angel - March 3rd, 2012 at 22:34
What is and how do i make sugar starch
#6 by Crystal - March 27th, 2012 at 19:44
Sugar Starch is pretty simple:
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Mix water and sugar in a small pan. Stir the mixture over low heat (do not boil) until clear and not sugary. Remove pan from heat, and let mixture cool.
You could also use wallpaper glue if you prefer
#7 by Kristen - March 29th, 2012 at 18:37
Yes, I would also like to know where the doilies are from for the candle holder. I have looked all over the internet and none are as pretty as those ones. Would greatly appreciate it!
#8 by Emily bell - April 17th, 2012 at 12:17
Love this!!!!
#9 by Heather B - April 28th, 2012 at 15:27
If you want a more permanent solution than the sugar starch, there’s a product called fabric stiffener, or Stiffy. Ailene’s products have one, I think you can get it at walmart, hobby stores, etc, and you can dilute it 1×1 in water (ie one cup of it, one cup of water, or half c to half c, etc) to stiffen fabric. It lasts practically forever and you can paint it afterwards if you want a different color, etc. I use it for crochet (ie doiley) snowflakes int he wintertime to hang in windows. It’s the same stuff you use to do the balloon lanterns, btw. If you use the sugar starch, though, after you’re done you can just get them all wet, and they will wash free of the starch and turn back into flat doilies, ready to make whatever else you want to with them
#10 by Heather B - April 28th, 2012 at 15:30
OH, and the reason probably, tha tyou can’t find the cute dpoilies is that, besides the machine made ones that are easy to find, the gorgeous ones that a lot of the photos on pinterest and the lanterns, etc ate made from are hand crocheted ones. Which are a lot more expensive, unless you run into them at a yard sale, which is possible, or at a flea market. But most of them are one of a kind, which makes the lanterns and such a bit more “Your Results May Vary.” Because that one gigantic gorgeous doilie on that lantern is probably twenty hours of handwork…
#11 by Jen - August 1st, 2012 at 22:51
Trying to make those doily candles, but i cant get them to lie flat on the balloon to dry! any tips?
#12 by Nadine Sheree - August 6th, 2012 at 00:36
Great question Jen – I didn’t have an answer right away lol. I found this picture on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/187673509442748452/ – I think it would work best like that. It looks like the balloon is somehow held in place in a bowl so that the doily candle holder is upside down until it dries. You could try taping the balloon to the bottom of the bowl or perhaps put a marble or a rock in the balloon before you blow it up. The weight should help keep it sitting still in the bowl.
#13 by ad - August 12th, 2012 at 05:39
#14 by Lauren - August 17th, 2012 at 12:45
What size doilie would you recommend for this? 8inch, 10inch, 12inch?
#15 by Nadine Sheree - August 20th, 2012 at 23:09
Lauren – I think that’s more of a personal preference depending on the size of the finished project that you’d prefer.
#16 by shelly bobrowski - December 7th, 2012 at 11:57
since the doilies go on the outside of the jars im wondering if paper doilies may work on this? you can get them at your craft or baking supplies stores super cheap. i know the handmade ones would be more beautiful but its just an idea
#17 by shelly bobrowski - December 7th, 2012 at 11:58
one more suggestion, check out your antique stores ive picked up hand made doilies for 25 cents at mine.