Posted 3 years ago
Watchsearc…
(88 items)
I have a thing about doilies. I love them, especially colorful ones. Whenever I come across pretty ones, I find it hard not to buy them……so I’ve accumulated quite a few.
Crocheting is an art form that I think is waning…. I’d be curious to know statistics about it, but I don’t personally know anyone who crochets now. The last lady I knew who could make doilies like this was my Granny and she died in the 1980s. In Granny’s day, it seemed like all her friends and neighbors kept their crochet projects on their laps or near at hand. They could carry on conversations, watch over the grandkids, follow the convoluted story lines of their daytime soap operas or take note of what was going on next door, all while precisely working that little hooked needle at a fairly rapid pace, making tiny loops and knots that eventually turned into things of beauty.
For my favorite doilies. I wash, starch, stretch/shape and mount them on acid-free black paper, frame them in square black frames and hang them diagonally on my walls.
These are just a few of my favorite ones.
I hope you enjoy them. Comments welcome.
Watchsearcher, That one with the ruffles is gorgeous. <3
Thank you, Keramikos….it’s a favorite of mine also.
I remember my mother washing and stretching them and pinning them up on an old mattress to dry and starching. Love the roses, beautiful !~
Phil, I enjoyed your comment- your mother was creative in solving a problem!
Granny used a doily stretcher. I don’t know whatever became of hers, but I wanted one. I spent years keeping an eye out for one, with no luck….then, antique browsing in Tennessee with my sister, there one was!! I was so excited to have my hands on one finally and I was blabbing about that to the teenage male clerk. The young man said he had looked at it but thought it was some kind of old game board which was missing it’s other parts. It was my lucky find….and a reminder of my grandmother.
Those are absolutely beautiful, Watchsearcher. Such skill the ladies who made these had. Do you have a photo of your doily stretcher? Have you posted it elsewhere? I will look. I remember my mother-in-law creating amazing crocheted items with narrow cotton thread. Raised roses, pineapples …. She only had sons, and I remembered my longago lamenting about that fact once upon seeing her great creations. How truly narrow-minded of me! Her skill/talent actually was inherited only by my son, self-taught, who makes amazing things. I might post some of his work now, after seeing your beautiful collection.
Oh, Daisy1000, Please do post his work…I love looking at things like that!
I have not posted the doily stretcher but I will do that today. :-)
Thank you for the compliments!
Daisy1000, Yes, please do post some of your son's work. :-)
Watchsearcher, Is your doily stretcher like any of these?:
https://threadwinder.info/tools/thread/doilystretchers/
Doily stretcher patents:
https://www.pat2pdf.org/patents/pat1378826.pdf
https://www.pat2pdf.org/patents/pat1568591.pdf
https://www.pat2pdf.org/patents/pat2053465.pdf
https://www.pat2pdf.org/patents/patd121667.pdf
Keramikos….thanks! The first link to the article is helpful.
Mine is made by Thefco, Inc of Jacksonville, Fla.
Called the Halen Guide-Liner & Deluxe Doily Stretcher.
Mine has the exact same back side as the one shown with stars….but the article author attributes that one to Sears, I think. I believe the author might be mistaken….I think it’s from Halen.
She shows a Halen but mine is a little different in that mine contains the word “Deluxe” in the name.
Mine measures 20”X 29”.
From reading, I think the “Deluxe” model was rectangular rather than square.
Watchsearcher, It seems quite possible that the author made a boo boo. Been there, done that. };-)
Here's another one that looks like it's the same as yours:
*snip*
This is a Halan "Guideliner" Deluxe Doily Stretcher, from the 1940's or 50's. It is made of Masonite, or peg board. This doily stretcher measures 20 inches by 29 inches. It has round and oval designs printed on one side, and star and rectangle designs printed on the reverse side.
*snip*
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-halan-guideliner-deluxe-doily-1799029496
Here's another rectangular one still in the original packaging; however, the dimensions are different, and it's not "Deluxe." It's billed on the enclosed literature as "new and vastly improved":
Halan Guideliner DOILY BOARD 24x21 Vintage Thefco Inc Made In USA. This was unopened until I opened it for photos.Unused, Pins still sealed in envelope. Has original instruction sheet.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/halan-guideliner-doily-stretcher-1871135026
I'm just tickled to find another U.S. patent interface that works on my so-called smartphone (in addition to Google Patents), because the official USPTO one doesn't seem to do so any more:
https://www.pat2pdf.org/
Mine is just like the one shown on Worthpoint.
Thanks for tracking down all the info!
Eileen, I commend you for persevering until you mastered the skill of crocheting! Ripple stitch sounds especially complicated.
It would be a real treat to see some of your projects….they would make a great post…..please, please, please….
It sounds like you are from a family of talented crafty ladies!
Eileen, I thank you for coming back to comment! I took your advise and looked at ripple stitch items….SO lovely! Too complicated for me to take up now but I can certainly appreciate the work of others.
I’m glad you have the blanket your mother made….that’s so very special!
That’s to all for the 15 Loves for my doilies!