OK, most of you who read my posts know I have this "thing" for vintage lace and doilies. It seems about every haul I bring home has some included.
I literally drool over old lace pieces when I see them and try not to get too excited in front of the seller,.
I love to bring them home, go thru them and then gently wash them. I use a lot of Oxi Clean. I have had people tell me that it is not good for the old stuff, but if they are dirty and I can't get them clean, then they are not good for anything anyway.
I sometimes fill my washer with cold water and dissolve the Oxi Clean. I then put the doilies and/or lace in and agitate them a few times and then just let them set for a few days or so (if I don't have laundry to do).
One Saturday a seller at the Flea Market had dozens of these little bags full of small pieces of various kinds of gorgeous laces. What do I do with all of these pieces of lace and doilies?
Here are a few of the things I've made with the laces.
I make these linen and lace Memory Pillows. The various pieces of lace are used for pockets in which to store old photos and/or postcards. I accent them with flowers, pearls and old buttons.
When I find a really exceptional piece of lace like this, I just hand stitch it to linen and it makes a beautiful pillow.
This piece is a wall hanging full of pockets. It was so much fun to use all of the different kinds of lace.
And of course, I couldn't leave out Miss Begonia - my dress form - that I completely covered in lace, doilies and old buttons. She is my pride and joy! Love her!
So, if you ever run into a really good deal of vintage lace and doilies - think of me!!
Enjoy!
Judy
I too love vintage lace! Love your beautiful creations.
ReplyDeleteI just love everything you make! I used to have a really easy jacket pattern and I made it from solid fleece and put old lace on it. One of my jackets went on tour in Europe! I used to clean lace by putting some Dawn dishwashing detergent in a big jar, adding warm water and mixing, then putting in the lace and shaking up the jar (with the lid on of course). It whitened it up pretty quickly. I just kept adding plain water and shaking until the water was clean. I hadn't thought of those jackets for a long time. I made a really cute jacket with old lace with bunnies on it for my little granddaughter. Stay warm during the storms! XO
ReplyDeleteoh "sigh" a gal after my own heart…I love vintage lace and doilies too! You've made some beautiful things with your finds. Thank you for following my blog. Do you crochet? I have taught myself to crochet with thread and have made some doilies you can find on my blog. Enjoyed my visit here!
ReplyDeleteI love all your treasures.. And you are a sewing wonder. Take care and enjoy your weekend. tell Brenda hello for me please. xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteJudy, you do find such pretty lace and I love the things you do with it! hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteYour handiwork is incredible. I love that linen and lace pillow. Will you have any like that in your etsy shop in the near future?
ReplyDeleteI do think of you every day. You are a treasure.
ReplyDeleteJoy
I LOVE lace! It is wonderful to come across a stock-pile of old lace at an Estate Sale:) Your creations are beautiful! Enjoy your weekend dear friend, HUGS!
ReplyDeleteI love finding old lace too but I always soak it in Woolite. I need to try the Oxy clean. Love the memory pillow. I've only made one...need to make some more! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI think your Miss Begonia is one of the prettiest forms I have seen anywhere. I just love her and what fun she is.
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughters are here for the weekend and today was dress up day at school. My oldest gd wore a beautiful lace shirt over another sleeveless what shirt and it is just so gorgeous. I told her I didn't know she liked lace so much. She said, Nana-if it's lace it's mine! lol A girl after my own heart!!!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Judy! xo Diana
You have created some beautiful works of art out of the wonderful finds.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
I love how you use the lace for accents! Very clever. And I also always like old wood spools. I have a bunch from my great aunt. They're very small spools, about 1 1/4" tall and I think they have silk thread. I treasure them!
ReplyDeleteYour lace is beautiful! Hope your husband is doing okay. Linda@Wetcreek Blog
ReplyDeleteOxi Clean is the best thing ever and I'm sure it does a great job on the lace and is much better for it than anything else I can think of. Yours is beautiful... and looks nice and clean!
ReplyDeleteI have a dress form and now I am inspired!!! Thank you!! I am going to 'dress' her in the vintage lace I have collected!
ReplyDeleteI found myself going "Oooohhh..and ahhhhhh.." I cannot believe that adorable little pillow..HOW I love crocheted lace...sweet little things like that.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
Love each of your creations! Do you have lace in your Etsy store?
ReplyDeleteDeb
Oh, how fabulous! LOVE the "dress" on your dress form and the little pillow with the basket of flowers. Now I'm wishing I hadn't gotten rid of the lace pieces I had. Have you ever used Efferdent to brighten/whiten the lace? Several years ago, an antiques dealer told me that's what he used and it worked beautifully on my pieces...and in just about 15 min. or so, depending on the stain. I'll remember you if I run across any old lace. :)
ReplyDeleteThere's something so enchanting, so fragile and feminine about lace. I love what you've done with your stash.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty pieces, Judy! I look for these now when I am at yard sales or estate sales. It is amazing that they all seem to have some. I have found some really pretty pieces and I don't always know how I might use them, but I have used them in many ways. I have a few pieces left. That should tide me over until yard sale season starts back up again!
ReplyDeleteYour lace creations are just divine Judy! I had a friend tell me once that Biz is what fabric conservators use to get the stains out of old linens. I have had wonderful results using it, including soaking an old quilt that was stained an ecru color and having it turn out white as snow!
ReplyDeleteI love the lace you collect, Judy, and the clever ways that you use it. Miss Begonia is just beautiful, a lace and button bedecked work of art!
ReplyDeleteHelen xx
Oh I do love frills! Miss begonia looks smashing!
ReplyDeleteOld lace is so pretty! Your dress form is very pretty with all the lace!
ReplyDeletewarmly,
deb
Judy I have always had a soft spot for old lace. It reminds me of my grandma and I am such a fan of your creations with it. I usually find my vintage lace pieces at thrifts stores...and I wish I had the gift to sew and create the way you do.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, I just love this post and can so relate. I grew up loving lace and all the gorgeous crocheted pieces my grandmother would create, many of which I have and cherish to this day throughout my home.
ReplyDeleteYour collection of lace to create with is beautiful and I love all the pretties you've designed. Miss Begonia is stunning. One of the best dress forms I've seen.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
You have so many beautiful pieces....I LOVE the dress form covered in lace. It is just stunning :O)
ReplyDelete~Des
Wow! Your creations are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteSO different. I love the pillows and the banner on the wooden hanger.
ReplyDeleteHello Judy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty pillow, and I like the pouch where you can put special pictures in. I have always loved vintage lace and doilies. My grandma made them, and I was lucky enough to get some throughout the years. Thank you for visiting us today. You have such a lovely blog filled with simplicity and beauty. We would love it if you could follow us, and I would certainly follow you right back. It's so nice to meet new friends.
Have a sweet day.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
WOW! So many good vintage ideas. LOVE the pillow one and your dress form is gorgeous! I never knew what to do with the little scraps of lace I have left over from a vintage sewing project. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas, very inspirational.
ReplyDeleteTam Francis
www.girlinthejitterbugdress.com
I love what you've done with your old lace. I use Oxyclean as well. It works wonders. Your projects are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love lace too! Your creations are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou would have been drooling if you could have seen all the lace doilies I got a couple of months ago for free! It was like Christmas came early!
ReplyDeleteThe dress form is stunning and I can understand why you're proud of her, I hope she has a place of honor in your home?