Collecting and Repurposing Vintage Lace Edging

What can you do with old lace? Get Creative ideas for Collecting and repurposing vintage lace edging for nostalgic crafting and decorating.

Do you have a stash of old bits and bobs that you love to use when you’re crafting or decorating? My cupboards are full of vintage trinkets and textiles that I’ve collected through the years; they inspire me to be creative! Today I’m sharing my treasure trove of vintage lace edging of every size and design. I hope you’ll be inspired by Collecting and Repurposing Vintage Lace Edging.

I’m joining a few of my favorite blogging friends today for our Lifestyle of Love series, hosted by Cindy at County Road 407. This group loves everything vintage, thrifted, repurposed and found. Today we’re sharing our love for lace, in all it’s forms. I can’t wait to see what they’ve come up with. You can find all the links to all the Lifestyle of Love inspiration at the end; enjoy!

Collecting and Repurposing Vintage Lace Edging

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Where Do You Find Vintage Lace Edging?

Once you know how handy it is to have a stash of vintage lace edging, your eyes will start looking for it. I find it most often at estate sales or church sales. For years, crafty ladies have made crocheted lace edging as a way to keep their hands busy, while still sitting still and relaxing. Sometimes it was made to grace a pretty set of embroidered pillow cases, gifted at a bridal shower. Other times they made lengths of it to go around a blanket, add to clothing, or just to have in case.

If I find old pillowcases that are beyond repair, I carefully cut off the lace edging and tuck it away for crafting. It’s a happy day when I come across an old crafter’s stash, carefully wrapped around a piece of cardboard or in a plastic bag. I like to think the maker would be happy her gift of time was going to someone who appreciates and loves it:)

Collecting Vintage Lace Edging

I’ve loved and collected lace edging for years. I store it in glass jars, so I can enjoy their beauty and be reminded to use them. I wrap the length around a couple fingers and tie a simple piece of twine around. My collection varies from teensy tiny tatting wrapped around a wooden thread spool to a couple inches thick crochet edging that is a heavy roll.

(yes, one of these days I’ll have to have my studio/craft room/office cute and clean enough for a full tour;)

As you can see, I store other trims that I’ve collected along with the lace edging. Ball fringe, blanket fringe and eyelet make it a colorful party in the clear glass jars.

Lace sections can be stored and enjoyed wrapped around old wooden spools as eye candy in a creative space.

( get the tutorial for my popular Easy No Sew Fabric Tulip Wreath in the background, HERE)

What Can You Do With Old Lace?

The creative possibilities are endless for vintage lace edging! You can use them to adorn something as a garland in your home decor, or for a party. Or you can glue them to upcycled art or repurposed furniture. Here are some of the ways I’ve used vintage lace edging to inspire you:

1. Add to a furniture makeover for a fun accent.

I peeled this pretty lace and velvet ribbon edging off a curbside lampshade that was too far gone to save. It was the cherry on top for this cute footstool makeover.

“DIY Vintage Footstool Makeover”

2. Add to upcycled art.

This upcycled Valentine’s art needed just a touch of extra texture. I glued on the teensy tiny tatting around the edge for a nostalgic vibe.

“Valentine Thread Spool Art with Vintage Style”

3. Sew into the seam of a sewing project for extra pretty.

My Happy Girl made me a sewing machine cover for Christmas. I gave her the vintage feed sack, but her creativity took the project up a notch. She added embroidered details to the graphics and inserted a pretty light blue lace edging in the seams. I love how it turned out!

4. Add lace edging to seasonal craft projects.

Colorful pillowcase edging can be upcycled for many craft projects. For Easter, I glued it around styrofoam eggs with vintage fabrics. I love to pull these out every year to decorate.

I also used lengths of old trims and lace to decorate oval platters as giant Easter eggs. Use tape or temporary hot glue so you can take them off after Easter.

“Upcycled Oval Platter Easter Eggs How To”

6. Decorate as Garland

If you have long lengths of lace edging, you can use it to decorate, as garland. Hang on a Christmas tree or use as party decor.

“Christmas Living Room with Thrifted Home Decor”

7. You can use new lace trim, also!

If you’re thinking you love the idea of using lace edging in your crafts and home decor, but aren’t a huge vintage lover, no worries! You can do the same with newly purchased trim also. I went a little trim crazy at a local fabric warehouse recently. I just love all the variety available!

Add it to shelves for a cute extra, seasonal touch:

“Summer Hutch Decor with Scandinavian Cabin Style Thrifted Finds”

Or make cute upcycled flags for summer fun decor:

“Patriotic Centerpiece with DIY Scrap Fabric Flags”

I hope you’re inspired to start your own lace collection and to get creative with how you use it! It’s a collection that doesn’t take up much space, but can be used in so many ways for crafting and home decor.

For more of our Lifestyle of Love series, see HERE.

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