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How To: English Paper Piecing Project

How to Make a Doily Bowl

Linda Permann, contributor

3 users recommend

First, gather your materials.

Linda Permann

Drape the doily over the bowl.

Linda Permann

Gather your crafty materials.

Linda Permann

First, gather your materials.

Photo: Linda Permann

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Whether or not you crochet, if you're crafty, chances are you have a doily or two in your stash. Here's a quick tutorial on how to transform it into a pretty bowl via a bit of stiffening liquid and some easy embellishing. When you're gathering your embellishment materials, make sure you have a bunch of bits and bobs to choose from. Think of yourself as a little bird building your nest. You can also use the stiffened bowl as is, if you prefer a sleeker style.

For shaping the bowl, you'll need:

• A round doily
• A shallow bowl to use as a form for the doily
• Plastic wrap
• Aleene's Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid
• A plastic sour cream or yogurt container (for mixing the glue)

First, gather your materials.

Place the plastic wrap around the outside of your bowl to protect it from the draping liquid (trust me, it will make cleanup much easier). Pour a bit of the liquid into your plastic container and add a teaspoon or two of water (you can add more if you want a flimsier bowl, but don't add more than 50 percent of the amount of starching liquid you added) and mix it well. You can also add acrylic paint to the mix to tint your bowl if desired; just see the packaging instructions.

Put the doily in the plastic container and move it around until it becomes saturated with the liquid. You will need to work the liquid into the doily by scrunching and squeezing it. Squeeze out any excess glue, but make sure every part of the doily is wet.

Drape the doily over the bowl.

When placing the doily over the bowl, be sure to smooth any folds or wrinkles or the bowl will dry with them intact. Try to center the doily as much as possible to get a symmetrical bowl. Allow it to dry overnight, or as long as necessary.

Gather your crafty materials.

Next, gather up some buttons, plastic flowers, beads, yarn, 1/4-inch- to 1/2-inch-wide fabric strips, and whatever else you might want to weave into your bowl. You'll also need a yarn needle to make the weaving easier.

Weave fabric strips and yarn in and out of the lace.

Thread the yarn needle with fabric or yarn and begin weaving the strips into the bowl. You don't have to go in and out of every single hole, and you don't have to go side to side. You can weave the strips however you want! I wove some from side to side, some outward from the center bottom of the bowl (in a starburst shape), and some in X shapes. You can also weave small pieces of fabric into the bowl and tie them in knots, or you can do different embroidery stitches through the holes of the doily. If you like, thread a button or plastic flower over the fabric/yarn every so often and continue weaving.

When you reach the end of a strip or strand, just tie the end to the next strand.

Continue adding to the bowl until it looks just right to you.

Use the stiffened bowls—plain or decorated—to store your knicknacks.

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Comments (9)

Anasofia writes: This is so pretty! Im going to make them! Posted: 3:19 pm on December 7th

LindaPermann writes: Thanks ladies! I got my doilies from e-bay (check etsy too), but I know that Joann's also sells plain doilies for a buck or two a piece. You can also check thrift stores for some great finds- some of the more colorful doilies would look great all on their own! Posted: 11:59 pm on September 28th

ceililly55 writes: These make wonderful flower pot holders. Just drape you doily over the flower pot you want to use and let dry.
I have artifical Africian violets in a rather lacy doily and it really gives it a Victorian appearance.
Enjoy,
Ceil
Chattanooga Posted: 9:30 am on September 28th

mommaviv writes: I have seen similar bowls but adding ribbon is brilliant. Think I'm going to add bead or sequins too. Nice tutorial. and I enjoyed your color combo in the finished bowl. Posted: 9:42 pm on September 27th

sllvncookie writes: This is sooo pretty,used to make these years ago,,back in day!!!!ha,ha, Good job,,,,''Cookie'' Posted: 1:35 pm on September 27th

JennlovesSteve writes: This is so cute! I am going to try to make them with my niece! Posted: 8:22 pm on September 24th

pjinomaha writes: I can't wait to try this! Where did you get the doilies? Posted: 3:39 pm on September 24th

Sister_Diane writes: What a great project! I love the idea of threading decorative stuff through the doilies! Posted: 10:08 am on September 24th

stilllifemercantile writes: I've tried this project once before and I suspect that my use of Elmer's White School Glue was my downfall. I am excited to try it out again using the recommended stiffener. Thanks Linda for the excellent tutorial! Posted: 2:13 am on September 24th

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