How to Make Victorian Place Card Holders
The Victorian era saw the rise of many etiquette rules and formal routines and procedures. Social status was very important and proper titles and ways of addressing individuals was strictly adhered to. The use of the place card saw an increase of decorative holders to place in front of the plate at a dining event. The place cards themselves became miniature works of art. Making Victorian place card holders is a project that is sure to delight guests.
Things You'll Need
- 4, 3-inch craft crocheted doilies
- Liquid fabric starch
- Old paperback book(s)
- Plastic wrap
- Plastic bag
- Satin ribbon, 8 to 10-inch piece for each place card holder
- Satin rosebuds
- Glue gun & glue sticks
- Scissors
- Old, clean towel
- Bowl
Instructions
-
-
1
Pour the liquid starch (available at your local discount or grocery store) into a bowl and spread a towel on a table. Place a plastic bag flat on top of the towel.
-
2
Wrap an old paperback book in plastic wrap, one for each place card holder you're making (or you can make a couple at a time if no extra books).
-
-
3
Place a doily into the bowl of liquid starch, submersing it completely into the liquid starch until saturated. Do not wring it out.
-
4
Place the book, spine facing up (the spine of the book is where the pages are bound and the title usually appears here for shelf display), and place the wet crocheted doily over the spine of the book. Smooth it flat, creasing the doily against the spine. Center the book spine on the doily so that there are two equal doily sections on the front and back cover of the plastic-wrapped book.
-
5
Holding the doily onto the book, lay it down flat on top of the plastic bag, so part of the doily is under the book, and part of the doily is on the spine, and part is on top of the book.
-
6
Fold the part of the doily facing you, over, so that it is folded in half. Crease the wet doily, adding a little liquid starch on your fingertips against the crochet of the doily if necessary to make it lay flat. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours or until completely dry. Repeat for other doilies.
-
7
Remove the stiff crocheted place card holder from the plastic wrapped books. Place the stiff place card holders flat side down with the open "slot" facing up. It will resemble a miniature napkin holder of sorts, with the back being taller than the front in order to present the place card for easier reading.
-
8
Tie an 8 to 10-inch piece of satin ribbon around the doily, over the folded front flap, in a bow. Use the glue gun to squirt a few drops of glue beneath the bow and the back center of the ribbon to secure it.
-
9
Glue a satin rosebud into the center of the bow by placing a drop of glue from the glue gun under the rosebud and pressing the rosebud onto the bow. Allow the glue to dry. Repeat for multiple place card holders.
-
10
Place the place card into the holder.
-
1
