Creating a doily table runner has been on my to-do list for as long as I can remember. I always assumed I’d create one in whites and neutrals, as most doilies come in varying shades of cream. But then I started buying the occasional colorful doily- pinks, blues, yellows, greens. That’s when I decided to create a Spring table runner to show off those colorful vintage doilies.
Is it any surprise, really, that I’m still making projects with vintage doilies? I mean, my very first blog post was this primitive decor piece that I made from a window frame and some of my grandmother’s doilies.
But my affection for vintage doilies didn’t stop there. I kept buying them for projects, and well, a doily table runner was next on my list!
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Making a Table Runner from Vintage Doilies
First, I gathered all of my doilies. Different sizes, some colorful, some not, a perfect hodge podge collection to become the doily table runner of my dreams!
I started laying out the doilies in a table runner shape/pattern. And in my true “wabi sabi” approach to life, I kept things somewhat asymmetrical, and perfectly imperfect.
I arranged and rearranged, swapping different doilies in and out, until I was happy with the design. And snapping photos wasn’t just for my blog; it would help me recreate the pattern when I was ready to start sewing!
Next, I assembled some fabric dye, in pastel shades of pink, yellow, and green. After all, vintage doilies kind of look like Spring flowers to me, so these colors seemed appropriate.
I followed the directions and dyed three sets of lace doilies (which included washing them afterwards; again, per the directions on the box). And just look at them, they’re like pretty little blooms! Well, pretty little blooms that need a good ironing!
But either way, I loved the pops of color and was ready to turn them into a doily table runner. Once they were all dried and ready, post dye job, I ironed them carefully to make them nice and flat (no starching, just ironing).
Lastly, I pieced my runner back together using my photos, using safety pins to hold them together. Then, I quickly whip stitched the doilies together here and there- not along the entire edge.
Just enough to keep them in place and connected to each other.
Doily Table Runner for Spring Decor
It’s FABULOUS! Seriously, I love this doily table runner so much. On the dreariest days at the end of winter, it’s like a burst of sunshine in our dining room.
And putting it together could NOT be easier.
What a difference that fabric dye makes, too. Nothing against the neutral lace table runners that I’ve seen online. But there’s just something special about vintage doilies or lace doilies that look like Spring flowers.
What do you think about this doily table runner to use as spring decor? Our home reflects multiple decor styles, so this touch of country cottage decor melts in quite nicely.
Looking for more upcycling ideas for vintage doilies? Make sure you swing by this collection of repurposed projects before you go!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
I just love this! Such a great way to use doilies and I love how the colours all fit together! Beautiful
Thank you!
Dear Sarah, yes I was wanting to know what price for all the doilies on the coffee table. Thank you and God Bless you. BJ
Unfortunately, I don’t recall how much I paid for each one- this project is from more than two years ago, so it’s been a while.
What a great idea! I need to put this on my to do list. Pinned! 🙂
Thanks, Susie!!
Beautiful , I love old fashioned crochet doilies and this just brings a fresh new use for them. I found you on #handfulofeverything
Thank you, Jennifer- appreciate the visit!
This is so gorgeous! I’m so glad you went with color instead of neutrals; it brightened my day to see it 😉 Definitely pinning for later.
I made some of these using Stitch Witchery. This was so easy, especially for me, because I don’t know how to sew.
Sarah, this is stunning! You are so talanted!
I would love it if you stopped by My blog on Monday’s and joined our Something to Talk About link party!
Have a great weekend!
Karen
I would love to! What day/time/time zone does your link party open for submissions?
Wonderful! We are Monday 6am- Thursday 5pm Eastern time.
Thanks so much!
These is so cute! Love it, and all the beautiful Spring colors.
I would love if you shared this at our Yarn Fanatic Linky Party – http://eyeloveknots.blogspot.com/2015/03/yarn-fanatic-linky-party-26.html.
Done and done- thank you for the invite, Alexandra! What day/time/time zone does your link party open up? I’d love to add it to my weekly rotation. 🙂
Our Yarn Fanatic Link Party goes live Monday afternoons – usually around noon EST. It’s Yarn specific – crochet, knit, embroidery, string art, plastic canvas, needlepoint… If you can make it with yarn/yarn like material – we want to see it! 🙂
Ok! I didn’t make the doilies…just purchased them from antique/thrift shops. Does that meet your guidelines?
Sure! Great inspiration for anyone who wants to work up some doilies and then try dying them, or placemat ideas. I love it!
Appreciate it, Alexandra!
I’ve chosen this runner as one of my Yarn Favorites from our last Yarn Fanatic Linky Party, and featured it in this weeks. I hope you’ll be by to party with us again real soon!
Pinned, and sharing with Facebook fans on Friday afternoon.
It’s gorgeous! The colours are lovely.
Thank you, Anna!
So pretty. I love the colors. I am really ready for Spring but here in Colorado we could still get more snow. Something like this would brighten up my house and make it feel like Spring though. Love it! #HomeMattersParty
Thanks, Angela!
I adore this! So pretty and it definitely brings spring to mind.
Thank you, Ann!
That is the plan, Ann! 😉
Sadie, you have such a talent for repurposing and creating beauty! I love this, and it looks perfect on your table!
I *love* this. It looks both vintage and modern at the same time. I have a small collection of small-ish doilies … if I find some large ones I could do this!
Thanks, Stephanie!!
Hi Sadie, I love your beautiful vintage doily runner. I’m visiting from Inspiration Monday link party and love this. I also cohost the Something to Talk About Link Party with 6 other bloggers and it goes live tomorrow morning Monday at 6am est and would LOVE for you to come and link this up (or when you’ve had coffee and are awake….lol). Thank you and have a great week, Lisa at Concord Cottage http://www.Concordcottage.com
Done and Done!! 🙂 Thank you for the invite!
Yay, so glad you could join us!! You’re the BEST!! have a great week, Lisa
This is so gorgeous! The colors pairs so well together.
Thank you so much, Sharon!
That looks great. Especially as an accent for that to die for table. Great job. Happy Spring!
Thank you so much!
I just love this! I have made several of these doily runners but with just white and cream doilies. Never thought to die them! What a perfect Spring touch for a table.
So glad you like it!!!
OHH! Until now I thought I was totally over my Doily-phase but now I am not so sure. The tablerunner is fantastic and I still have so many doiles flying around….*think*
Best wishes,
Ronja Lotte
(www.nur-noch.blogspot.de)
Thank you so much!!
Love it!! I too have a slight problem collecting these things…what a great idea to use them.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful table runner at The Pin Junkie. It’s being featured today in a spring and Easter round up.
Thank you so much, Bonnie!
Your table runner is amazing, very inspirational!
Thank you so much!
I have been wanting to do for for-ever! You have given me just the kick to finish. I never thought of dying some of them. Cant wait to get started.
Love it! This has been on my to-do list for a long time as well. Love how you dyed some of them. Think I might just get my doilies out and ‘get er done’! Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I found some old doilies at a thrift store and didn’t buy them. I’m hoping they are still there when I go back. I would love to dye some like you did. Your table runner is so pretty! Thanks for linking up at the Stitch It, Blog It, Share It Link Party!
~Bonnie
LOVE how this turned out! So cute.
Thank you, Heide!!
Your doily table runner is adorable against the weathered wood of your farmhouse table! Visiting from PJ.
Thank you, Vickie!
Wonderful idea! I may have to try this!
Thanks, Linda!
What a cute and colorful use for doilies! I have a whole stack of them 🙂
I sometimes help plan women events at my church and I think something like this wold create such stunning tables…thank you for sharing your project.
Thanks, Sheryl!
Very, veryp pretty and what a lovely idea!
Thanks so much!
I actually like it both ways. I’m not craving anymore color at the moment as Christmas stays up her for a few more weeks (we decorate late). But it definitely is fun! thanks, Sandi
I think they look great
Thank you, Liz.
It’s beautiful
Thanks, Bebe!!
I am not crafty or able to make….anyone available to make one for me? I will pay
Shawna, would you be interested in the table runner I created for this blog post? I could be talked into selling it. 🙂
Yes I am and oh please please let me buy it! I have a beautiful new table and it would be perfect
Love this from Seasonal Transitions…For Your Home & Garden. I will share.
Thank you, Vivian!
Beautiful. …..do you have ANY FOR SALE…….?
I’m considering selling the one in this blog post, Margaret! Would you be interested in that one?
Gorgeous….btw how do you dye one doily with two different colours? Thanks.
The ones with multiple colors were actually bought from Antiques stores!
I would be interested in buying this adorable table runner! Is it for sale? Thanks, Susie
Thanks for your inspiration I too am a doily hoarder ?
Love it!! Thanks, Cheryl!
Beautiful !!! And what an amazing idea !!!
Just Wow !!! i love it !!!
Thanks, Lynn!!
Can I buy one??
Hi, Karen- I only made the one and someone has already claimed it. However, if that sale falls through or I create another one, I will definitely let you know!
I love this ! I too have a doily collection for some project some day lol ! Even though I am a great furniture painter I am not much of a seamstress so I will have to google whip stitch. Thanks for the continually inspiring projects that you share with us ! You’re such a talented, creative person ! 🙂
Thank you so, so much!!
So pretty! I featured your work over on my Facebook page today!
Thank you so much!
Swoon to the moon!! Darling!!
Thanks, Heather!
I am going to do this and wondered if liquid dye would work the same? I have several doilies and also a huge table cloth size crocheted piece that is beautiful. One of my neighbors had put them all in a large storage bag and thrown them to the curb with a lot of other junk. I crochet and know the time and love involved in a project and am so happy I found them.
Let me know how it works out, Elaine!
I see these doilies all the time at yard sales. Guess I’ll start collecting them! Too clever! Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Nancy!
Great! I have so many “one of a kind” doilies and this would be a great way to use them!
Yes- the perfect re-use!!
I love how homey this looks…so cozy and cute!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for Crafts, Recipes, and Tips and Tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
I was blessed to inherit my grammas stash of her “handiwork” as she called it…lol as well as some my great grandmother passed to her..I have RA and for the life of me I cannot figure out how they did these tiny stitches well into their 80’s!! I’m
40, my hands won’t let me do tatting or hold a steel hook but my eyes omg I can’t even see those teeny tiny stitches to even put the dang tiny hook! I tried and failed.. i also got my husband’s grandmother’s handiwork as well.. nobody wanted them and I figured that his family would fight over them but there they were… left to be donated or thrown out..which made me tremendously sad because because i know how much time, talent and love that it takes to simply work one up let alone a collection of them!! So I happily rescued them and I’m actually working on a college that combines them all. It’s really cool to see them all together and even though some are the exact same pattern… I can tell who
Made what.. like a fingerprint of sorts. Also
Funny story… what I love most??? You know that saying that when you crochet or knit something for someone, that alot of love and little pieces of you goes into each hand made item??? HAIR! Lol, i don’t know how it happens but it does, it kinda skieved me out at first when gramma was alive and she’d send me a dresser scarf and there would be a tiny piece of her hair woven within the fibers and stitches but now that she’s gone… I can’t tell you the comfort it brings me when I “find” a little piece of her woven within the tapestry of her life and love..embedded into those tiny stitches she painstakingly created. It’s like she’s reminding me that she’s still with me, watching over me..but I’ve found my great grandmothers hair in hers and my husband’s grandmother’s as well. Even when I crochet things for others I always tell them that they most definitely will find my hair (it’s long too lol) intertwined but to remember that it’s made with my love and a little piece of me lol! Sorry for waxing nostalgic but I think you all know what I’m talking about!
Where i can get the pattern of that blue in the middle of table? it’s wonderfull….?
I wish I knew- but I bought it already made at an antiques store.
????
This is too cute!!! I love it!
Thanks, Jessica!
Good Afternoon Sarah, I have so many doilies, some which my mother Phyllis made and some which my grandmother Ivy made. I have also collected a few along the way. I was thinking of attaching them all to a sheet and make a throw for the bed, but I do love your idea of a table runner.
You were so courageous to dye some of the doilies…. and don’t they look lovely.
Do you know, I think I will still make my throw, but I will collect a few more to make a beautiful table runner like yours.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Best Wishes
Daphne
That’s wonderful, Daphne- I just love your idea, too!
This is lovely, would brighten any table.
Amalia
xo
Thank you so much, Amalia!
What a great idea!! I have a bunch of these! Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY Party
What a pretty DIY! Perfect for spring.
Thank you so much, Stephanie!
This is very cool. Love it!
Thank you so very much!
Love repurposing doilies! You did a great job. Have a great weekend 🙂
Definitely a favorite of mine, too! Thank you so much!
Sarah I can’t believe I never commented on this one. I remember it from way back when I first started blogging. Did you sell it?
No worries- it’s from a while back! 🙂 I did end up selling it- I didn’t intend to but a reader just loved it. So it lives with her now. 🙂
Doilies are so much cuter in color!
I love this!
Thank you!
That’s such a great idea! I like making doilies, but never know what to do with them. I’m gonna keep this in mind! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Liz!
Your table runner turned out so pretty! I’m old enough to remember when my mother and grandmothers kept doilies on all their tables. I even use them occasionally myself. Your multi-colored approach adds to the effect — a very nice addition to your dining table.
Thank you, Mimi!
I love this! It is a beautiful pop of spring!
Thank you so much, Ashley!
I love this idea! Saves them from sitting in my draw for years unseen and unused. Thank you!
Thanks, Andi!
Great idea!Love it!Congratulations!
What a wonderful idea. I have a collection of dolies from my mum and granny, as well as a few I have collected over the years. I use the odd one here and there for decoration on different things I make, especially when making dolls clothes for my granddaughter. I am looking forward to making a table runner. I have a beautiful big red oak table and I think this will dress it nicely. Thanks so much for sharing your idea.
Thanks so much, Kathy!
Now I know what to do with my aunt’s handmade doilies! Thanks for the inspiration!
You are so very welcome, Cindy!
Your lovely runner is truly so clever and creative! Thank you so very much for linking to the Spring and Easter Joys party. Have a very Happy Easter!
Thank you so very much!!! I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend, as well.
I have always loved this project and need to do this one of these days! But first I need to “admit I have a problem” with vintage linens! L.O.L.! You’ll be one of my features tomorrow for the Spring and Easter Joys link party; thanks for joining up!
Awww, thanks, Lora!
I loved your story ! What a blessing to have handmade items from different generations in your family. Finding a unique way to bring them all together is so great.. good luck with your project!
Name your price! I would love to have this!!
Aww, you are very kind! Unfortunately this sold back in 2015 when the blog post was originally published.
Beautiful and unique table runner. I love old fashion doilies, they remind me of my wonderful mother, I can’t pass up buying them at thrift stores or fleamarkets.
I also love the older quaint colorful handkerchiefs. I have seen a table runner made from them and it is lovely as well.
Thank you! And you’re not alone- my handkerchief bracelets are one of my most popular craft project, too.