A quilt top from bits and pieces of laces and trims.

A new project is in the works!

I’ve been collecting vintage linens, doilies, trims and laces for years and often it’s the white, off white and/or ivory pieces that are passed over for the more colorful embroidered pieces.

This picture is a testimonial to how often these pieces are delegated to a storage bin.

Over the 2024 Christmas Holidays I began a project to use these pieces by creating collage blocks. Using graph paper I created a pattern to follow:

A finished 16” block created by one 10×10” square, one 6×10” rectangle and two 6×8” rectangle blocks.

Because laces and trims are light weight and often fragile I knew I would need a Base Fabric for stability and chose 44” wide light weight pale ivory 100% cotton muslin. From the bolt I cut a 5 yard length, zig-zag stitched each of the two raw edges and laundered in hot water before tossing into the dryer.

After the laundry process I needed to press the muslin and begin to cut blocks as per the measurements above. Having cut out one of the 10 1/2” muslin blocks I immediately knew I would need a double muslin base. Good thing I laundered 5 yards!

Was I tired? Paying more attention to the TV? Sleepy? Who knows but I promptly mis-cut both of the 6×8” blocks to measure 6×6” and began creating collage blocks. Imagine my surprise when on the design wall they didn’t all fit together! To make these “mistake” blocks work, I had to create a finished size 4×6” filler block.

➡️ 01/09/25 edit: Please know the muslin serves as the stabilizer. It is on this “stabilizer” that I will be building my block using just about anything I can find in my bin of laces/trims/dresser scarves/tray cloths/eyelets/doilies/vintage and/or new yardage/etc. etc.

This is my first block, one of the mistake 6×6 size. It is made up of: tray cloth, part of a crocheted doily, 3 commercially produced white flowers and a very small crocheted circle. The pink and the yellow machine decorative stitches use Spaghetti Threads (size 12 weight) from Wonderfil Specialty Threads. https://www.wonderfil.ca/?goal=0_2be335a0bb-a87de171ce-438423661&mc_cid=a87de171ce&mc_eid=04e4f0a978

This wonderful white fabric above was off the bolt several years ago at JoAnn Fabrics. The pink is from a vintage crocheted edging.

While the overall theme concentrates on white/off white/ivory I’ve added very small pops of color. These purple flowers are from leftover scraps of a long ago project.

Aren’t these cherubs just the best!

I most likely jumped the gun on this ivory hem tape ribbon, it will definitely be a problem when long arm quilting. I might stitch down every edge or I might remove it now and stitch it down again after the quilt is finished.

It’s easy to add commercially produced embellishments to many of the blocks, both the butterfly and the 5 petal flower are new.

With the 10 1/2” square on the work table, I randomly began to pin trims and laces to the double muslin base.

With the block base covered, I next trim to size.

I’m now ready to machine stitch the laces to the block base.

I’ve got various threads ready to use.

In order to see where I’m stitching, I have found that an Open Toe foot works best for me.

Either before or after the laces are machine stitched to the muslin base, I zig-zag stitched all around the outside edges. I used a thread that closely matched the laces, this way if during block construction the zig-zag stitch might fall outside the quarter inch seam it will not be readily visible on the front of the quilt.

Today I’ll leave you with this picture, a block ready for a decorative collage.

Blessings, Happy New Year and of course Happy stitching,

Rhonda

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Published by Rhonda Dort

A creative person living in Houston, TX

27 thoughts on “A quilt top from bits and pieces of laces and trims.”

  3. Oh, now I have a question about the 12 weight spaghetti thread. How do you sew with this on your sewing machine? It must be pretty heavy for machine sewing. Do you have to adjust the tension (looser?). Is the bobbin thread regular sewing thread? Thanks

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  4. Thank you for sharing, Rhonda. Your work is inspiring!

    I was given a tote full of vintage hankies. I love the idea of making smaller pieces to join later!

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  5. Now why haven’t I thought about doing that with the large stash of very vintage laces that I have? I had a large hatbox set aside to sell sometime (of course, that hasn’t happened). Only things is, I don’t want to machine quilt it and not sure hand quilting would work. I may make at least one block to see how I like it. I have some medium weight very nice vintage muslin that I would use (not doubled). Thanks for the idea!

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    1. It’s so funny you talk about the quilting of it, I was trying to decide if I would long arm quilt, domestic machine quilt or tie it as is done in Crazy Quilts, where it is not obvious at all. Think about tying or tacking, if you Google it, you can find some good articles on how Crazy Quilts are “quilted”! Keep me posted on what you might decide to do!

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  6. These blocks are so pretty! You’re giving me ideas, but on a much smaller scale. You mention that you washed the muslin on hot and dried it. As you collect your laces, do you wash those as well before using them? Thank you.

    kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  7. Rhonda, Will you be making several of the same size block or just ‘wing-it’ as you go? This is going to be stunning! Excited to follow and join in on your journey.

    Joan Nick

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  9. Hi Rhonda!I am so glad to see your newest adventure in laces and trims!  I miss seeing your beautiful work up close! We have moved to Sherman, TX, where snow is currently predicted tomorrow!  How I wish my sewing room was unpacked enough to keep busy at creating something.  Instead I am sketching a few things that may come alive one day.  I can’t see well enough to do any sewing by machine, and hand sewing is just my own designs that look pretty abstract!   Keep sending me your news.  It inspires me, and I am sure I’m not the only one getting inspiration!   Thinking of you, Jane Hancock1331 Beach Blvd.Sherman, TX  75090713-825-9290

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  14. I am loving this!! My red/white 1914 Boehm quilt is on my bed and I enjoy it everyday. Thank you for a new project that allows me to again enjoy all the beautiful vintage linens that I, too, have collected over the years.

    Phyllis Pokorny

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  15. Thank you for sharing …. you are such an inspiration !!!  Beautiful work !!! Mary WaltersTyler County Commissioners OfficePrecinct # 3 & # 4205 N. Charlton St.Woodville, TX 75979-4803 409-283-7623

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  16. Thank you for continuing your work with vintage fabrics. I made one with vintage hexagons from your directions and since I have so much fabric left, I think I will put the vintage lace idea into a future quilt. Please keep inspiring. Ruthann

    

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  18. Rhonda, I love this!  Have been following you for years.  Just last week in Waco I went to the Goodwill Bins (outlet) and came across 4 bags of vintage linens which were sold by the pound.  Many of them were neutrals and I put them aside not knowing what to do with them. Can’t wait to dig them out and follow along with how you are putting them together. Thanks again, Vicky MorrisChina Spring TX

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  20. Wow! That is amazing! Thank you so much for all your sharing. I have been restoring a vintage quilt. I could not have attempted it without your posts… I know the owner will be pleased. I really enjoy your posts and Facebook page. My goal this spring is to create a hexagon table runner with lots of embellishments…

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