Easy Way to Turn Vintage Doilies into Stunning Wall Art

Have you ever come across beautiful vintage doilies and wondered what to do with them? In today’s post, I’m sharing a charming and easy way to turn those delicate treasures into stunning doily wall art!

Believe it or not, it’s already the second Tuesday of the month, which means it’s time for another Handcrafted Society blog hop!

If you’re new here, welcome! The Handcrafted Society is a group of blogging friends who come together each month to share creative projects based on a specific theme or craft medium.

Crafting with Vintage Doilies

This month’s challenge? Doilies! And I couldn’t wait to get started.

I thought I still had several of my grandmother’s doilies tucked away, but sadly, I couldn’t find them, which was such a disappointment.

So instead, I went on a hunt and found four beautiful ones at the Antique and Collector’s Extravaganza back in February.

For my take on this month’s theme, I paired vintage doilies with vintage frames to create two elegant pieces of DIY wall art.

These framed doilies are not only simple to make, but they also add timeless texture and charm to any space.

This project is perfect for anyone looking for a meaningful way to display family heirlooms or who loves the look of vintage decor.

And don’t forget—be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to see what my talented Handcrafted Society friends made with their doily-themed inspiration.

You’ll find plenty of beautiful ideas to try!

Supplies You’ll Need for DIY Doily Wall Art

Here are the supplies to create this charming wall art:

• Vintage doilies – Look for doilies in various shapes and sizes, or buy from Amazon.
• Vintage picture frames – or use wood, metal, or painted frames.
• Foam board – Dollar Tree
• Craft knife – Amazon
• Backing material – Brown craft paper, scrapbook paper, or fabric.
• Iron – Amazon
• Scissors or a paper cutter
• Measuring tape or yardstick
• Tape runner– or spray adhesive/fabric glue/glue dots
• Burlap flowers- optional

How to Turn Doilies Into Framed Wall Art

Ready to transform your vintage doilies into beautiful wall decor?

Follow these simple steps to create a timeless and meaningful piece of art.

1: Clean and Prepare Your Doilies

Before framing, it’s essential to start with fresh, flat doilies so your finished piece looks polished and professional.

• If your doilies are dirty, gently hand-wash them in lukewarm water with a mild detergent.
• Let them soak for 10–15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
• Press excess water out with a towel—do not wring or twist.
• Lay doilies flat on a towel to air dry, gently shaping the edges as needed.
• Once dry, lightly press them with a warm iron to remove any wrinkles or folds.

2: Choose Your Frames

I used two vintage frames I already had; I love the character they add to the finished pieces.

If you don’t have any spare frames in your house, I suggest looking for them at thrift stores or flea markets!

Here are some tips for choosing frames:

• Size matters – Choose frames larger than your doilies so there’s room to let the lace details breathe. The extra space creates a lovely backdrop and makes the design pop.
• Mix or match – If you’re making a set, use matching frames for a more polished look or mix different shapes and sizes for something more eclectic.
• Add personality – Look for frames with interesting textures or finishes. Chippy paint, ornate carvings, or antique gold tones all complement the soft, vintage feel of the doilies.

3: Create the Backing

Since my vintage frames didn’t have backing, I made my own using foam board (or cardboard), which worked perfectly!

Foam board is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to cut, making it an excellent option for DIY wall art projects. I purchased mine from Dollar Tree for $1.25.

Steps to create the backing:

• Measure your frame and mark your lines on the foam board.
• Cut out the shape with a craft knife. Take your time to make clean, straight edges so they fit snugly into the frame.
• Test the fit by placing the cut piece into the back of your frame. Trim if needed.

Add the Craft Paper:

I paired the foam board with brown craft paper to create a smooth, neutral background, highlighting the doilies’ texture.

The warm tone adds just the right vintage touch without overpowering the design.

• Lay the foam board on top of your craft paper, trace around it, and cut the paper to size.
• Attach the craft paper to one side of the foam board. I used a tape runner, but you can use spray adhesive, glue stick, or double-sided tape.

Once your backing is ready and the paper is securely in place, you have the perfect surface to display your doily in the next step!

4: Plan Your Layout

Before committing to anything, try laying your doilies on the backing.

Move things around, center a single doily, or layer multiple ones—see what looks best to your eye.

Once you’ve chosen your layout, place the frame over the backing to ensure you love it!

I thought they were pretty, but the single doily looked a bit plain, so I started looking through my stash for an embellishment.

Add burlap flowers

I liked adding the flowers, but felt the single doily still needed a little something more.

First, I looked through my fabric but found nothing I liked, so I moved to scrapbook paper.

Adhere the patterned paper

I found these two pieces of coordinated patterned paper and added them to the frames.

For the more petite frame, I used the paper as the backing.

For the larger one, I used my Creative Memories circle cutter to create a circle out of brown craft paper and another slightly smaller circle from the printed paper.

5: Attach the Doily to the Backing

With your backing ready, it’s time to attach the doily.

Since these pieces can be delicate or sentimental, it’s smart to consider whether you want the attachment to be temporary or permanent.

I personally used a tape runner because I didn’t want to damage my doilies and might want to reuse them in the future.

Here are options for attaching the doilies:

Non-Permanent Options (Recommended for Heirlooms or Reuse):

• Tape runner – This is what I used! It holds well enough for display and can often be removed later without damage.
• Glue dots – Small, removable, and perfect for gently securing lace.

Permanent Options (If You’re Sure):

• Spray adhesive – Provides even coverage but becomes permanent once dry.
• Fabric glue – Best used sparingly on outer edges; this will be a long-term hold.

Once the doily is securely in place and any wrapped edges are finished, you can move on to framing!

6: Assemble the Frame

Now let’s bring it all together!

Once your doily is securely attached to the backing, pop everything into the frame and admire your beautiful new wall art.

Tips to assemble the frame:

• Carefully insert the foam board backing (with your attached doily) into the frame.
• If your frame has retaining clips or tabs, fold them down to hold the backing in place. If it doesn’t, you can secure the backing with duct tape, hot glue, or even a few small nails, depending on the frame style.
• Double-check that everything is straight and centered.

Note: I didn’t use glass in my frames, but if you love the look, feel free to use it. Just make sure your doily isn’t too thick.

Display Your Art Doily Wall Art

I’m displaying our new doily wall art on our mantel.

I borrowed a small box frame from our bedroom, covered it with scrapbook paper, painted a wood appliqué white, and attached it to the front.

I’m so thrilled with how they turned out!

If you don’t have a mantel, here are a few other places you could showcase them:

• Hanging on a gallery wall
• Styled on an open shelf or inside a bookshelf
• Displayed in a bedroom, hallway, or vintage-inspired space

Whether preserving a family heirloom or adding vintage charm to your decor, DIY doily wall art will surely be a conversation piece.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re inspired to create your own doily wall art!

I had so much fun pairing vintage doilies with charming old frames to create this simple and elegant DIY project.

Whether working with family heirlooms or antique store finds, framing doilies is a beautiful way to give them new life and share their story in your home.

Remember, this post is part of the Handcrafted Society Blog Hop. The links are below!

If you enjoy the blog, please sign up for our email list so you won’t miss a post!

Blessings, Donna and Rich

More DIY Wall Art Inspiration

Don’t leave yet; if you’re interested in making DIY wall art for your home, you’ll want to check out these posts:

• How to Repurpose a Wood Sign Into Beautiful Art
• Tips to Create Framed Canvas Wall Art
• A Fun Art Trend You Need To Try
• Way to Create an Inexpensive Gallery Wall
• How to Create Wall Art From an Upcycled Item

Pin It For Later

Don’t forget to pin the image below to one of your Pinterest boards (hover over the picture and click the red Pin button in the top left corner).

The Handcrafted Society Blog Hop

My talented blogging friends have come up with the most creative ways to use doilies, and I know you’ll be inspired.

Click on the image or the blog name to hop over to each post!