What’s more airy and ethereal than lace? When crafters look to imbue a project with a special sentimentality, they go straight to lace, whether vintage and original or low-cost and mass produced. Doilies, which can be found in abundance in thrift shops and vintage stores, are iterations of lace that are perfectly circular, if a project requires it. Lace not only conveys a unique delicacy to all that it adorns, it is an ingenious stenciling material.
Lace recalls a gentler time, and it's delicacy invites people to slow down and perhaps make a cup of tea. These lace-infused projects add significant character to virtually any space in the house, and all are easy -- even for the newbie crafter.
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Lacy LBD
A lace collar makes any simple dress or sweater a bit daintier. Lace collars are available at affordable prices from popular online craft vendors like Etsy and eBay, and both new and vintage versions can be bought. Simply sew – or for those who are not natural seamstresses – break out the Stitch Witchery and attach the lace collar to the dress or shirt neck opening. There couldn’t be a quicker way to add charm to a wardrobe staple.
A lace collar makes any simple dress or sweater a bit daintier. Lace collars are available at affordable prices from popular online craft vendors like Etsy and eBay, and both new and vintage versions can be bought. Simply sew – or for those who are not natural seamstresses – break out the Stitch Witchery and attach the lace collar to the dress or shirt neck opening. There couldn’t be a quicker way to add charm to a wardrobe staple.
Spooky lace
There are quick and easy ways to embellish a pumpkin to make it Halloween-ready, even if time for carving isn’t in the cards. Simply take a large square of lace (black, of course) and make sure there is more than enough, according to the size of the pumpkin. Place the pumpkin in the middle, tie at the top with black or orange satin ribbon and voila: elegant yet eerie porch décor.
There are quick and easy ways to embellish a pumpkin to make it Halloween-ready, even if time for carving isn’t in the cards. Simply take a large square of lace (black, of course) and make sure there is more than enough, according to the size of the pumpkin. Place the pumpkin in the middle, tie at the top with black or orange satin ribbon and voila: elegant yet eerie porch décor.
Easy does it
Ditch the traditional jewelry box and make the earring collection part of the bedroom design. All that’s needed for this project is an embroidery hoop and lace that complements the wall color or matches it. If contrast is preferred, don’t spray paint the hoop, but doing so will cause it to harmonize with the lace. Tuck the lace around the hoop edges, hang the hoop and load it with earrings dramatic and dainty.
Ditch the traditional jewelry box and make the earring collection part of the bedroom design. All that’s needed for this project is an embroidery hoop and lace that complements the wall color or matches it. If contrast is preferred, don’t spray paint the hoop, but doing so will cause it to harmonize with the lace. Tuck the lace around the hoop edges, hang the hoop and load it with earrings dramatic and dainty.
Let there be (lacy) light
A large, inflated balloon serves as the foundation for this lovely lace pendant light. Hang it with string and place doilies in a paste of ¾ parts glue and ¼ part water. Layer the wet doilies over the balloon and allow ample drying time, at least a few days or more, so it can harden properly. Now for the most satisfying part: Puncture the balloon with a pin. Using scissors, create a hole for the bulb to pass through. The balloon should be large to ensure that the bulb doesn’t scorch or burn the lace and accommodate a low wattage bulb for the corded lamp fixture, both in plentiful supply at home stores.
A large, inflated balloon serves as the foundation for this lovely lace pendant light. Hang it with string and place doilies in a paste of ¾ parts glue and ¼ part water. Layer the wet doilies over the balloon and allow ample drying time, at least a few days or more, so it can harden properly. Now for the most satisfying part: Puncture the balloon with a pin. Using scissors, create a hole for the bulb to pass through. The balloon should be large to ensure that the bulb doesn’t scorch or burn the lace and accommodate a low wattage bulb for the corded lamp fixture, both in plentiful supply at home stores.
An antique Christmas
Thin strips of lace threaded through Christmas ornaments lend a decidedly Victorian beauty to a Christmas tree. Lace can also be used to hang a pine, magnolia leaf or boxwood wreath. The romantic intricacy of the lace elevates all Christmas decorative baubles, infusing an old-fashioned spirit into the modern household’s holiday décor.
Thin strips of lace threaded through Christmas ornaments lend a decidedly Victorian beauty to a Christmas tree. Lace can also be used to hang a pine, magnolia leaf or boxwood wreath. The romantic intricacy of the lace elevates all Christmas decorative baubles, infusing an old-fashioned spirit into the modern household’s holiday décor.
All choked up
Nothing is more romantic than a lace choker as an accessory for a delicate blouse or dress. The options are endless when it comes to choker width, color and lace pattern, and the choker can be customized perfectly to fit the wearer’s neck. Choker hardware kits are widely available at arts and crafts stores, so whipping one – or a few – up is easy and a perfect gift for the maker or friends and family.
Nothing is more romantic than a lace choker as an accessory for a delicate blouse or dress. The options are endless when it comes to choker width, color and lace pattern, and the choker can be customized perfectly to fit the wearer’s neck. Choker hardware kits are widely available at arts and crafts stores, so whipping one – or a few – up is easy and a perfect gift for the maker or friends and family.
Top the table with permanent lace
Most people have a castoff end table that has seen better days in their attics or basements. Drag it down and put it back to work by spray painting the top black, brown or your choice of color. Lay a sheet of low-cost lace from a fabric store on top of the table after the paint has dried. Spray again with white spray paint. A magical, permanent lace pattern will appear, guaranteeing that the refreshed table can be put into use and enjoyed yet again.
Most people have a castoff end table that has seen better days in their attics or basements. Drag it down and put it back to work by spray painting the top black, brown or your choice of color. Lay a sheet of low-cost lace from a fabric store on top of the table after the paint has dried. Spray again with white spray paint. A magical, permanent lace pattern will appear, guaranteeing that the refreshed table can be put into use and enjoyed yet again.
Prettier pillows
Throw pillows are easy to customize and inject personal taste. Solid color pillows look striking when one or two bands of wide or narrow lace are sewn to them. The placement can be symmetrical or more abstract, but the addition of lace bands ups the fetching factor of these mainstays of the sofa.
Throw pillows are easy to customize and inject personal taste. Solid color pillows look striking when one or two bands of wide or narrow lace are sewn to them. The placement can be symmetrical or more abstract, but the addition of lace bands ups the fetching factor of these mainstays of the sofa.
Setting a special place
Possibly the simplest lace project ever, this delicate detail nevertheless adds something magic to a table setting. Tie a length of lace band around a wrapped napkin and place on top of a dinner plate while setting the table, or wrap around the silverware. This easy tabletop touch offers a warm welcome to dinner guests.
Possibly the simplest lace project ever, this delicate detail nevertheless adds something magic to a table setting. Tie a length of lace band around a wrapped napkin and place on top of a dinner plate while setting the table, or wrap around the silverware. This easy tabletop touch offers a warm welcome to dinner guests.
Wall of lace
Give a bedroom accent wall the lacy treatment by securely pinning a large lace square on the wall and carefully painting over it with a brush. Remove it to reveal the pattern. Repeat horizontally or vertically on the wall by pinning the same piece next to the stenciled area, and continue the pattern. This idea is also an option for creating a lovely faux headboard above a bed.
Give a bedroom accent wall the lacy treatment by securely pinning a large lace square on the wall and carefully painting over it with a brush. Remove it to reveal the pattern. Repeat horizontally or vertically on the wall by pinning the same piece next to the stenciled area, and continue the pattern. This idea is also an option for creating a lovely faux headboard above a bed.
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Some privacy, please
For those who don't want to sacrifice natural light in the bathroom but still desire privacy, lace pieces make ideal privacy panels. To do the lower half of a window, measure window lights and cut lace pieces to fit. Whip up a simple paste of 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with the same amount of cold water. Stir until it’s pasty, and add 1 1/2 cups of boiling water. Mix again and brush on window panes. Place the lace pieces on the panes and apply another coat of the paste. When fully dried, the paste is completely invisible, and when remoistened, the lace can be easily removed. This project adds gentility to the bathroom while solving a challenge at the same time.
For those who don't want to sacrifice natural light in the bathroom but still desire privacy, lace pieces make ideal privacy panels. To do the lower half of a window, measure window lights and cut lace pieces to fit. Whip up a simple paste of 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with the same amount of cold water. Stir until it’s pasty, and add 1 1/2 cups of boiling water. Mix again and brush on window panes. Place the lace pieces on the panes and apply another coat of the paste. When fully dried, the paste is completely invisible, and when remoistened, the lace can be easily removed. This project adds gentility to the bathroom while solving a challenge at the same time.