Doily String Lights for Summer Decor
This post walks you through the process of making doily string lights that can be used on your porch during the summer months. This is an easy and affordable project to make.
If you are new to this blog: Welcome! My name is Anna and I share information on collecting antique/vintage items, refurbishing furniture and making small crafts/projects. The purpose of this blog is to show you how to use creativity and antiques to make your home beautiful. In addition to information on the blog, you can also follow me on the following social media accounts Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.
Table of contents
Handcrafted Society
Welcome to the Handcrafted Society! This is a group of talented bloggers who come together monthly to collectively craft creations using a shared medium or theme. This month’s theme was “doilies”. Each blogger created a project using doilies.
The projects by the Handcrafted Society are fun and inspiring because we see the varied perspectives and interpretations of the theme by each participant. These women are amazingly creative in making projects for each month’s theme. Towards the conclusion of this post, you’ll find images and links to the projects made by each blogger. I hope you enjoy browsing through all the ideas these ladies have created. Simply click on the image or blog name to view their full post.
Back Story
Summer is a magical time of year. Particularly, in the evenings. During the long summer days, sitting on the porch, after dark, watching fire flies is one of my favorite activities. Of course, there are also an array of celebrations. Everything from graduations, to birthdays, or even simple cookouts. These doily string lights are the perfect way to add some magical lighting to your summer decor.
Doily String Lights
These lights are easy to make and only require a few supplies. Best of all, they can be customized to suit any occasion. While I used colorful doilies, you can use all white or any one color.
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Supplies for Doily String Lights
This project requires very few supplies. Below is a list of the supplies and where possible, I provided links to online resources.
- Package of 3.5 inch doilies – any color you choose. Note – make sure the doilies are 3.5 inches in diameter
- LED String lights – I used some of my Christmas string lights. For safety, use LED lights.
- liquid starch
- silicon muffin pan
- Box cutter or xacto knife
- Craft paint brush
Step 1: Create Doily Cups
Open the package of doilies and separate them into individual pieces. Then using some liquid starch and a paint brush, apply the liquid to the doilies and add them to the silicon muffin pan. The doilies will act as covers on the string lights.
Once they are in the muffin pan, let the doilies dry into a cup shape.
To speed up the drying process, I put the doilies in the oven at 175 degrees for 20 minutes.
When the doilies are dry, they should pop out of the silicon muffin pan. Simply push them out from the the under side of the pan.
Repeat the above steps as needed so you have one doily for each LED light.
Step 2: Attach Doilies to String Lights
Using your box cutter, cut an “X” into the bottom of each doily cup. Then slide the doily over the LED light bulb. Repeat this process for each doily and LED light bulb. When you are done, plug in the lights and enjoy!
Here are some photos of the finished doily string lights.
These doily string lights are such a festive way to welcome warmer weather and longer evenings outside.
Handcrafted Society Projects
As mentioned above, I am participating in the Handcrafted Society with other bloggers who also created projects with the theme of “doilies”. You can see what they made below! To learn more about any of the projects, simply click on the image.
In Closing
Thank you for stopping by the blog today. If you liked this post, you might enjoy the projects below. Happy creating!
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These lights are so fun and festive, Anna. I can see them being used in so many different ways throughout the spring and summer seasons too. I’ve never used liquid starch like this and I’m excited to learn more about it and try it. Fairy lights are the best! Big hugs, CoCo
These turned out so adorable, Anna! It’s a great way to add color and light to any celebration or season of the year. My mind is racing, thinking of all the fun ways to decorate with these! Pinning now!
How fun and festive! My granddaughter would love to make something like this in her semi-teenage room. Too darn cute!
This is such a clever idea Anna. I love how it turned out and you’re right, it can be adapted with different colors, etc. Thanks for the inspo friend and hope you’re doing well. XO- MaryJo
OMG, Anna!! Mind. Blown. How COOL!!!! First, I had no idea that doilies can in that petite size OR that you could find colored ones! Second, how pretty! I love the colorful look of the string lights. Such a fun way to style a patio or deck for the summer! Brilliant, friend.
Anna – I love these. The possibilities are endless with color options and size of doilies. You could even use larger lights with larger doilies. You have me thinking about summer parties!
Oh Anna, those are the sweetest. And what a smart way to make the cup shapes. I am absolutely smitten over them.
Anna! These are the sweetest! I wish I had seen this sooner, but regardless, I am going to make some! Thank you for sharing!
Omgoodness Anna, these are the cutest!! I can imagine them hanging in one of our granddaughters rooms – she loves sparkly things!