Grandma's doily

TattingChic posted about the antique collar in her possession. Some of the joins in that collar are picot joins and some are tied joins. I mentioned to her that I had a doily of my grandmother Eulalia's that also had both types of joins. She requested I post it. I was surprised as I had posted it before, then went to my blog expecting to be able to send her the link, and much to my surprise couldn't find the post. I then realized that I must have posted it on my old yahoo360 blog that no longer exists.

Grandmother Eulalia is the one that taught me to tat and whose large thread stash I inherited. I have some other items that she tatted and I will post them another time.

I decided to update my scan of the doily by removing it from the frame it was in. I have never liked the backing fabric it is on and the frame was sealed up tight. it is my understanding that lace needs to breathe. I also don't know if the backing fabric is archival quality. The doily seems in very good shape so maybe it is.

This first scan is of the doily only. the fabric behind it is supposed to be a very deep purple crushed velvet.

The joins within the medallions are regular picot joins like we do now. The joins between the medallions are picots tied together.
There are 11 large medallions and 11 small clovers.
I just realized that I scanned the back of the doily. She hemmed the fabric with buttonhole stitching, then attached the tatting with separate stitches.


This second scan is of the note that is in the bottom corner of the frame. It lists my grandparents names, their wedding date, their children's birthdays, and the approximate date the doily was made - 1920. This display was put together by my aunt Selina over 20 years ago.

you will see in the note that her name is listed as Lala. She did not like her name - Eulalia - I did and would have used it as the middle name for my second daughter if she hadn't been so upset and horrified about the idea, she did allow me to use her middle name Elizabeth instead.

This third scan is a picture of my grandparents on their wedding day. It is in the other corner of the frame.

This is a scan of the arrangement of doily, note and picture in the frame.

The goldish backing fabric is a stiff velour. I am going to see what I can do about being sure this is framed correctly. While this has been in a frame, it has been stored flat in a box out of any light. It needs to be displayed, but I want to do it right. If anyone has suggestions, please feel free to contact me.

Until I get it all figured out, I will roll the doily in clean white cotton.