Starching a knit doily
 

I have some doilies that my grandmother knitted many years ago (She died in 1967, so they are at least 45 years old). They have never been starched and stretched. In fact, the ends of the fine yarn she used were never tied off. My girls would like me to stretch a few of these for them to use. I've searched the internet, and found suggestions using starch, sugar, hair spray, glue, etc.

I'm hoping someone here can give me some advice. What's the best product to use? Any tips? Also, is there a trick to tying off the ends? I've woven in ends when I've crocheted hats, but this yarn is so thin I'm not sure how I would do this without it showing.

Thanks!

Thanks for the hint about the rust proof pins. I need new straight pins - this is a good time to buy them!

I thought about framing some of them. Using them as quilt squares is another good idea.

seems strange but my mother always used sugar, soak them and lay flat...I know she had this gorgeous wavy one that always stood right up....bugs? don't know LOL

I have never starched a doily but I think you have to be careful what starch you use, depending on where you live, as the sugar will attract bugs if they are stored away. And also the humidity is a big factor.

I made a huge wheat doily and starched it heavily. It looked wonderful and then I stored it. When I found it again the bugs had eaten much of it and it was ruined. I don't like sugar either as it gets sticky if it is humid or you set something damp on it. I just wet and stretch and pin, no starch, no sugar, and it works for me.

Google shows several site to investigate. I like the framing idea if they are flat doilies. I remember my Mom had a giant swan when we were kids!

https://www.google.com/search?q=star...ient=firefox-a

You could try fabric stiffener--although that might make them TOO stiff. My sister uses it to make little bowls out of doilies

I too would use decopage or fabric stiffner, they both wash out. Grandma used to use a heavy corn starch mixture and lay the ruffles over light bulbs to dry they were always so delicate and pretyy. Thanks for the post to bring up those memories

I used T-pins for starching my doilies. Lots easier on the fingers.

Both of my grandmothers used screen frames (before we knew anything called A/C). They would put muslin on the screen. They would put the doilies in warm soapy water and gently squeeze excess out. They had warm water on hand constantly to continue. When they had the doilies the size they wanted after pins to hold in place, they rinsed with water till it ran clear. After they had the sizes they wanted that was also the way they cleaned the doilies. They would put them on the screens pinned in place then just run warm soapy water over them then rinse til clear. I can remember them also putting some liquid starch mixture (no sugar)or food substance, into a bowl and use a rag to drip over the doilies. They always had the prettiest doilies and made their own. I still have a few that belonged to both of them. I received what others didn't want and no one is getting them now. I will have to figure out in the future who will get them and appreciate them. it's been a while and probably time for a cleaning but no bugs.

You can but it at Wal-Mart it is called Stay Flo for starching your doily just read the directions on the package i think u put your doilies in this and then squeeze the remainer out back into container and then strecth to the size u want