Reclaimed Lace

Amber Groen icon By: Amber Groen
Embroidery
Skill Level: Beginner

Banner Image

Lace making and crochet doilies are traditional crafts that have reemerged in contemporary fashion and home decor. Personalizing a tote with doilies or making a doily garland are wonderful ways to appreciate these heritage crafts.
A lacy garland is beautiful decor for a party, baby shower or wedding. Adding lace to your tote bag is a fun project that elevates your everyday bag.

Supplies

Make a lacy tote

1. Determine placement of doilies on your tote bag. Play around with what doilies to use and how many you would like on your tote bag. Pin in place

a bunch of doilies to use over the tote bag, a first image of first step
placing doilies and playing around over the tote bag, a second image of first step

placing doilies and playing around over the tote bag, a third image of first step
placing doilies and playing around over the tote bag, a fourth image of first step
placing doilies and playing around over the tote bag, a fifth image of first step

2. Using Coats & Clark™ All Purpose Sewing Thread and Anchor™ Embroidery Needles hand stitch around the perimeter of the doily. Place one hand inside the bag to make sure you are only stitching through one side of the tote

hand stitch around the perimeter of the doily, a first image of second step
hand stitch around the perimeter of the doily, second image of second step

hand stitch around the perimeter of the doily, third image of second step
hand stitch around the perimeter of the doily, fourth image of second step

3. Use small stitches to hold the doily securely in place.

hand stitch around the perimeter of the doily, a first image of third step
hand stitch around the perimeter of the doily, second image of third step

Make a Lacy Garland

1. Begin by making bias tape. You can use purchased pre-made bias tape if you wish; making your own is a great way to use up scrap fabric!

2. Cut long strips of fabric 2” wide. For this project, you can cut on the bias, straight or cross grain.

Cut long strips of fabric 2” wide, a first image of second step of project 2
Cut long strips of fabric 2” wide, a second image of second step of project 2

3. Sew strips of fabric together to create the length of your garland.

4. From this strip of fabric we are going to make our own bias tape.

4a. Fold fabric in half lengthwise and iron.

Fold fabric in half lengthwise and iron.

4b. Fold both sides of the fabric towards the center fold. Iron in place.

Fold the fabric in half and iron, image 1
Fold the fabric in half and iron, image 2

Fold the fabric in half and iron, image 3
Fold the fabric in half and iron, image 4

5. Cut doilies in half.

Cut doilies in half, image 1
Cut doilies in half, image 2

6. Place doilies inside bias tape and pin in place.

Place doilies inside bias tape and pin in place, image 1

7. Sewing along the bottom edge of the bias tape making sure to catch the doily.

Sewing along the bottom edge of the bias tape image

8. Continue adding doilies to create your garland.

Continue adding doilies to create your garland image

These lacy garland and tote projects remind us of traditional crafting techniques and adds some fun to our home decor and fashion.

Author, Amber Groen

Amber Groen is a fashion designer located in Toronto, Canada. She loves to knit and mend clothing. She is a graduate of Parsons School of Design.