Inside: Amazing collection of easy paper and crocheted cloth doily crafts.
The abundance of dollies made Sunday tea at my Grandma’s house feel like a special occasion. It was the standard Northern English fare of cucumber sandwiches, tinned salmon, scones and homemade jam. Not particularly special until laid out on top of fancy lace crocheted doilies.
Of course, my grandma’s doilies were handmade. Some by her and others handed down from my great-grandmother. In simpler times, she would spend the evenings crocheting while watching her favourite TV quiz programme.
The only other time the dollies appeared was for celebration meals, such as Birthdays and Christmas. My mum carried on the doily tradition but went the easy route and used paper doilies.
Difference Between A Cloth and Paper Doily
Cloth doilies can be crocheted, tatted or knitted out of cotton or linen thread. You’ll find the pattern for these in old craft books. They can be oval, round, square and even heart-shaped. The main thing is the fancy lace border.
Fabric doilies are washable and designed to be used over and over again. Often kept in the family for generations and handed down, along with the fancy china.
If you don’t have inherited cloth doilies, they can be bought for a few pennies/cents in thrift and charity shops.
Paper doilies still have the same intricate lace patterns starting from the centre and working outwards, but these are made from cut paper and are disposable. They’re found in kitchen and craft stores.
Both kinds of doilies come in many shapes, colours and sizes.
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Why Craft with Doilies
It doesn’t matter whether the doily is paper or fabric. Both are affordable craft materials. You can buy packs of assorted paper doilies very cheaply.
They have many crafting uses, from making pretty decorations for the home, scrapbookers using them to layout frames, and card makers using them as vintage embellishments. A doily can make any papercraft look pretty.
Doilies are popular at weddings, not just for the buffet but with crafted decorations such as fancy menus and chandeliers.
You can even buy heart-shaped paper doilies, which are especially good for wedding and Valentine’s crafts. It’s incredible how something plain and straightforward can transform into something pretty and cute with the addition of a doily.
Like with these simple ice cream cones, wrap a plain cone in a doily, and suddenly, it looks fancy!
The crafty appeal of doilies is their vintage lacy patterns, which can vary from doily to doily. These patterns make great affordable stencils, especially with paper ones.
The paper used to make these doilies is a bit more robust than standard paper, as its original design was to be placed under food.
Doilies can be cut, dyed, appliqued, stitched and stiffened into shapes. Some are so lovely they can be framed, as they are into beautiful wall art.
I’ve combined the craft ideas for paper and cloth doilies, as many are interchangeable.
The Amazing Doily Craft Ideas
A delightful collection of excellent cloth and paper doily craft ideas. From decor crafts, wedding crafts, gift crafts and many more.
Gold Foil Doily Art : Easy Art Work
This is a classy craft, using doilies as a stencil with gold foil. These would look great as decoration on a stencilled side table too.
Doily Painted Plate
Use a paper doily as a stencil to create a lovely vintage painted pattern on old crockery.
Beautiful Doily Angel Wings Ornament
Vintage doilies are upcycled into cute angel wings ornaments, perfect for hanging on the tree.
Paper Doily Christmas Trees
Another pretty Christmas craft idea, this time with paper doilies. You could try coloured doilies for a more festive look.
Doily Air Plant Holder
Instead of macrame, why not use an old crocheted doily to make a cute air plant hanger.
Doily Luminaries
Combine vintage crocheted doilies with old mason jars to create the prettiest tabletop luminaries, great for weddings and home decor.
Paper Punch Wrapped Gifts
You can buy paper punches to make your own doilies. This means you can make paper doilies out of so many different papers. They make lovely gift toppers too!
Paper Doily Star
Create a festive Paper Doily Star for celebrating at your next patriotic party. This papercraft is a beautiful and simple way to turn doilies into something fun.
Watercolor Doily Garland
A very simple paper doily craft, paint them and then hang them in a festive garland.
Doily Stencil a Cushion / Pillow
Add pretty patterns to plain pillows and cushions with the help of paper doilies and fabric paint.
Doily Wreath: a simple and beautiful wreath for any season!
Make a beautiful wreath for your door using lots of paper doilies.
Paper doily envelope birthday card
Make cute mini envelopes out of paper doilies to decorate handmade cards.
Doily Covered Lamp Shade Project
Use a collection of cloth doilies to make a beautiful Boho lampshade.
Cute Doily Christmas Packaging
Use a paper doily to quickly jazz up some plain brown bags into cute Christmas packaging.
Doily stamped bowls
Use a cloth doily to imprint on air-dry clay to create some pretty patterned bowls.
DIY Lace String Lights
Stiffen doilies over small balloons to shape them into mini lace lampshades.
Vintage Doily Table Runner
A great way to use all those cloth doilies you've collected or inherited. The runner would make any afternoon tea look special.
Doily Rose Tutorial
With a little glue, cloth doilies can be rolled into beautiful lace roses.
Doily Spider Webs
A doily isn't just for the tea table, it can be used to make a cute Halloween decoration.
DIY Lace Doily Bowl
Stiffen cloth doilies to make pretty lace bowls. These would look great on the afternoon tea table.
Framed Doilies as Shabby Chic Wall Decor
Frame beautiful vintage doily to create some shabby Boho wall art.
Beautiful Painted Butterfly Doily Craft
A fun doily craft to do with the kids. Paint paper doilies and make them into colourful butterflies.
Doily Heart DIY Tote Bag
Transform a plain tote bag with a reverse applique doily.
Paper Doily Decoupaged Bottle Tutorial
Upcycle some wine bottles with paper doily decoupage. Great for a spring table or as a decoration for a Boho wedding table.
How to Make Doily Candle Holders
Learn how to stiffen fabric doilies and make these cute doily candle holders.
Upcycled DIY Snowman from Embroidery Hoops
Doilies are for Christmas too, with this cute snowman.
Check out this doily plate upcycled into a clock if you like doily decorations.
If you liked these doily craft ideas, don’t forget to check out many more of my cool adult crafts, including map crafts and cardboard Christmas crafts.
How To How
Monday 3rd of October 2022
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
Claire Armstrong
Monday 3rd of October 2022
Thank you so much.
Meagan Trento-Decorative Inspirations
Friday 8th of July 2022
Wow there is so many different things you can do with a doily! I think my favorite are the doily mason jars, stenciled pillows and the shabby chic doily frame.
Claire Armstrong
Friday 8th of July 2022
Thank you so much. The mason jars do look sweet and the doilies do add make a great stencil to spruce up plain pillows and cushions.