DIY Thursday: Paper Doily Garland

A couple of Fridays ago, I wrote a post about Livy of A Field Journal, whose talent and photos and craft ideas and illustrations and knowledge of art history I admire more than I can say. She posted an absolutely beautiful tutorial on her blog this week showing us how to make lovely, ethereal banners out of simple paper lace doilies. I'm seriously considering making some for myself to hang up at my own birthday party. I have some gold paper doilies which would be gorgeous suspended from an aqua or bright pink seam binding. Have a look at Livy's, plain white doilies paired with a soft yellow binding. Beautiful.

And here are the instructions for making it, which were provided at Project Wedding, the blog for which Livy developed the project.

Supplies You'll Need:

1. Doilies, assorted sizes: Paper doilies come in a variety of diameters, the larger the diameter the easier it will be to align each doily half while sewing the garland. For added variation, try alternating between small and large sizes. Use the size of the doilies to estimate how many you'll need for the desired length of your garland. Since we'll be cutting them in half, one doily will create twice the diameter in garland length.

2. Double fold bias tape

3. Thread to match bias tape

4. Scissors or paper cutter

5. Sewing machine

Directions:

1. Cut doilies in half: You can fold one in half first to determine the center, and then use it as a guide for cutting the others.

2. Prepare to sew: If you've purchased bias tape, iron out any creases in the bias tape resulting from it's packaging. Pinning doilies in place prior to sewing is an option, however I found it easiest and most efficient to position each doily while sewing.

3. Sew the garland: Sandwich the doily halves between the fold of the bias tape, placing them end to end, and carefully sew along the edge of the bias tape.