If you’re looking for a new or different way to reuse or repurpose crochet doilies you have lying around the house, you can soak them in cement to create a unique and personal piece of home or garden décor.
With this project, you can use any crochet item you have and turn them into something wonderful.
You could make a cement crochet bowl.
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Or a fun candle holder.
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A planter can even be made out of an old crochet hat.
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Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
. Crochet doilies (or other crochet items) that is made of an absorbent material such as yarn or cotton-paper. Plastic and other non-absorbent materials will not work. Just make sure to wash and dry them before you begin. You want your doilies to be free of starches and other stiffeners.
. Concrete bonding additive
. Portland cement (NOT concrete or mortar)
. Water (amount varies)
. Dust mask
. Fine sieve
. Measuring tool or small plastic container
. Long gloves
. Cooking spray or some other mold release
. A sheet of plastic
. Paint brush
. Molds: Plastic is the easiest to work with. Wood will work well, but glass and metal are too difficult, sometimes impossible, to remove the cement piece from.
To create cement lace:
. 5 parts sifted Portland cement
. 1 part concrete bonding additive
. Enough water to make a pudding consistency
Make sure the area you choose to work in is above 50°F, but below 90°F for both mixing and curing.
First, pick and prepare your containers (again, plastic works best) in any shape you want the final piece to be, like a bowl. Or you can just lay them flat to make ornaments. Lay out the container you choose on a sheet of plastic as it will get messy.
Using your measuring container, sift your 5 parts Portland cement into your mixing tub with your sieve. Mix until there are no lumps.
Add 1 part concrete bonding additive to create a cement slurry. As you mix, this will become very dry.
Add about half part water to begin with and mix. If it’s still dry, add a little more water as needed until you have a pudding consistency.
Now, drop the doily in and coat it by pushing it in, flipping it over, or swishing it around until it’s completely soaked into the fabric.
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After it’s completely soaked, pick it up (always with long gloves and protective goggles on) and squeeze, wipe, or shake off the excess.
Lay it on the mold you’ve chosen, adjusting the doily until you have the position you want. Try to center it as much as possible. Then, use an old paint brush to wipe off the excess cement if there is any.
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Repeat with any doilies you have. If the cement mixture begins to look and feel dry, add a splash or two of concrete bonding additive to it.
The doilies need to sit until hardened, which usually takes about 12 hours. After they’ve hardened, they need to be misted and covered with plastic bags or a sheet of plastic for a minimum of one week. It’s tempting, but don’t unmold them before the week because they may crack.
After the week, you can use plastic to unmold them easily. Don’t force the mold, just gently tap. Allow them to “dry” for a couple more weeks to allow the moisture to evaporate completely.
Sand any rough patches, paint with a quality spray paint and primes, and you’re good to go! Just make sure you seal after painting if you plan to use your cement lace for food purposes.
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A chrome spray paint adds a nice finish.
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What are you waiting for?! Repurpose your doilies today into a much more original and beautiful piece that will last. There are so many possibilities, the only remaining question is where to even start?!
