How to Frame Crochet Heirlooms

Frame your grandmother's doily heirloom to preserve it for future generations.

Many creative hours went into your grandmother’s beautiful crocheted lacy doily and now you would like to preserve it for a few more generations. Careful framing of antique doilies will result in a piece of art that you can admire for years as it graces the walls of your room. While it is a simple project to frame a crochet heirloom, be gentle when handling the delicate threads of the doily.

Things You'll Need

• Picture matting
• Stainless steel pins
• Thread, same color and size of the original crochet
• Needle
• Tape or glue
• Frame, 2 inches larger than the doily all around

Instructions

1. Block the doily by moistening it and gently stretching it out. Carefully pin the doily to a towel to dry, so it will hold its shape. Allow the doily to completely dry before removing it from the towel.

2. Place the picture matting on a flat surface. Center the doily on the mat and pin it around its edges. While pinning, make sure the crochet piece is as straight as possible.

3. Thread the needle and poke it up through the first pinhole in the mat. Do this from the back to the front of the doily on the mat. Loop the thread to a few of the doily’s threads and push the needle back through the mat through the pinhole.

4. Repeat step three, gently stitching the doily to the mat around the edges. Be careful to use the pin holes in the matting to do the tacking. Use the same continuous thread as you stitch around the edges.

5. Use tape or glue to fasten the threads from the end of the stitching to the back of the mat. Pull the threads tight, but be careful not to stretch the doily out of shape. Glue or tape down the threads.

6. Take the back off of the picture frame, and lay the mat with the doily into the frame. Replace the frame backing.

Tips & Warnings

• Most doilies are white, beige or ecru. Colors that complement the doily are dark green or maroon.

• Use acid-free matting materials for the best result.

• Regular pins might rust and stain the doily so use the rust-free stainless steel pins when pinning the doily to the towel and when pinning it to the mat.