Continuing my love of all things Victorian I have been digging through my collection of antique lace. While most of it is from the Edwardian Era I do have some handmade Victorian lace that I just adore. Here is a DIY Victorian-Inspired Lace Table Runner.
DIY Victorian Inspired Lace Table Runner
I began to search out ways I could display the lace. Lace table runners seem to be all the rage right now for weddings. You can find it paired with burlap, linen, and cotton.
As much as I loved the looks I found, I didn’t see a design that worked for me. I wanted to somehow preserve the lace when the runner itself needed cleaning and keep the lace length intact for a future project when I perhaps tire of the runner.
So I came up with the following washable design.
Start with a piece of fabric that you will use for your runner. You can choose your own width and length to suit. (I had a lovely scrap of antique linen that fit the measurements of my table.)
Select a piece of wide lace to fit across each end.
Create The Lace Ribbon Band
My plan was to create a removable band of ribbon that could easily be taken off.
Digging through my stash I came across a pair of curtain tiebacks I wasn’t using. If you don’t have an extra pair of tiebacks laying around you can also sew a tab/band from a piece of sturdy cotton. 🙂
I cut the tab/band to fit the width of the runner. A buttonhole was created on both ends.
After attaching the wide lace to the piece of fabric, that I was using as my runner, I sewed a button on each end.
Here you can see how the tab/band is then attached to the button at either end.
Unbutton and remove the tab/band from the runner (for now) and pin the pieces of lace and ribbon you would like to use on to the band.
I stuck to a palate of white, cream, blush and taupe.
Carefully sew the lace to the tab/band. I used a large straight stitch on my machine so that if I want to dismantle the tab/band of ribbon in the future it will be easy to remove the stitches.
You then just simply re-button the band of ribbon onto the runner.
Because of the weight of the ribbon, the band may sag down in the middle. You can alleviate this by simply pinning a pretty brooch to the center.
The brooch shown was one I created to wear back in 2013. You can find the original “how to” post HERE.
It truly adds a pretty finishing touch and again, it’s not permanent.
I also love the look of the runner against the dark wood of our formal dining table too.
You could come up with so many other color combinations. Imagine the runner in a lovely colored fabric with an ombré ribbon band. So pretty!
I hope that you have enjoyed this Victorian Inspired Lace Table Runner.
Are you a lover of lace?
Laura
Laura, this is so pretty. I love how you use bits and pieces of vintage lace and ribbon.
The little streamers are so sweet! Love this.
Just beautiful Laura! I enjoyed reading how you put this together. Ann
So pretty. Love the ribbon streamers.
It's very pretty, Laura. I like the way the lace can be detached for cleaning, or for another use.
It looks beautiful!
What a stunning, charming idea, darling Laura, I really cannot fail to let me inspire by this suggestion of yours, you know that I was born in the wrong century, you know that I do belong to the Victorian age, don't you 🙂 ?!?
Wishing you the best of weeks,
I'm sending hugs and ever much love across the many miles,
with much, so mch gratitude
Xx Dany
I love it. Beautiful!
So beautiful, Laura. And very clever. I do love the lace and have quite a collection of antique French lace. This isuseful, no matter whether it is on a table runner or another use! Thanks!
What a great idea, Laura. You know I love lace and linen, so this is a visual treat for me. The best thing you can do for vintage linens is USE them — and you've succeeded in using even bits of lace that so often get overlooked. Your creativity and energy never cease to amaze me!
Laura,
Such a creative way to display your lace, yet keep it intact for future projects. Looks beautiful on both your tables.
Judith
Such a beautiful way to display the pretty lace. Seeing the crocheted butterfly brings to mind the precious hankie with the butterfly crocheted in the corner that you gifted my mom before she passed. She loved to sit and and “feel” the butterfly. I even have a photo of her beautiful hands holding the hankie.
Wow this is simply stunning!! A great way to display the lace while still being able to wash it (and change your mind if you are like me).
Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
This is so feminine and sweet. Very smart the way you made the lace tails detachable. The tea pot flower pot is a lovely touch.
This would be so pretty for a wedding or a bridal shower! I will be featuring it at Monday Social.
Laura this is so gorgeous! Yes, I am a lover of lace, vintage lace, and have a lot of it. I was hoarding mine, while my sisters sold much of theirs. You have inspired me! So pretty!
How pretty is this table runner! Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
So pretty! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday