Repurpose A Thrifted, Vintage Doily Into The Cutest Hanging Planter

Doilies are ubiquitous in thrift shops and antique stores. You may have even inherited some from older relatives. Because doilies are used less on tables now than they were in the past, you may struggle to find ways to display these gorgeous but seemingly impractical textiles. Luckily, doilies are more versatile than you might have thought and have far more uses than just putting under vases or covering furniture. You can actually make a lovely hanging planter out of them.

Making a hanging planter requires just two doilies. Ideally, you should pick ones that are similar in size, color, and pattern. They can be round or square. Since vintage doilies are generally made of cotton or other organic materials, you can easily dye them using an all-purpose fabric dye if you wish. You can even crochet your own doilies or granny squares if you don't have any vintage doilies to use. You'll also need some rope or heavy string and a basic sewing kit for this project. A sewing machine isn't required, but it will make the project a bit faster. If you opt for large placemat-sized doilies, you can even use them to make a hanging basket for flowers.

Begin by pinning your two doilies together. Then sew their sides and bottoms together. If your doilies are circular, just sew them together ¾ of the way around. Regardless of the shape, leave a gap at the top where you can put in the plant. Then remove the pins. If you don't want your stitches visible, turn the project inside out after sewing, so the stitches are on the inside. Next, cut the string or rope the planter will hang from into four even pieces. Sew or tie them onto the DIY plant holder, arranging them evenly, with two on each doily. Knot these strings together at the top, and your hanging planter is ready to be attached to a hook or other hardware for hanging plants.

Now just find a pot of the right size to slip inside the planter you've created. You can grow any small plant inside this planter as long as you hang it in the right location to meet your plants' needs. It's likely perfect for raising succulents inside, as well as growing other plants that require only occasional watering. This will limit how often you have to remove the plant and pot from the holder. Make sure to let the water finish draining before putting the pot back so the water and potting mix won't stain your doily.