How to block a doily. 10 easy steps to make your project look gorgeous.

Do you like making doilies but never seem to be happy with the finished project? Or maybe you purchased some beautiful napkins and they never looked the same after you washed them? 

I have a secret to share you! If you block your doilies this way, they will stay crispy, look gorgeous, keep their shape and even repel dust! 

To block a doily you will need : 

• Some water 
• 1-2 teaspoons of potato starch 
• A blocking board (or any suitable surface) 
• Some pins 
• 10-20 of time

Step 1.

Take some cold water. 0.5L of water is enough for blocking 1-2 doilies. 

Step 2. 

Add one or two teaspoons of potato starch and mix properly. 

Keep in mind, potato starch quality differs from country to country and the softness of water can have an impact on the result as well. Be ready to adjust the amount accordingly. 

Step 3. 

Start heating the mixture while constantly stirring. Don't let it boil - as soon as you see little bubbles signalling that boiling temperature is almost reached, take it off and let it cool down until it reaches room temperature. 

Step 4. 

If you are in a hurry or the mixture seams to be too thick (thicker than cream), don't hesitate to add some cold water to get the perfect temperature and texture. 

Step 5. 

Choose the project you want to block and sogg it in the mixture you prepared for about 5-10 min. Let it absorb the liquid properly. 

Step 6. 

Choose a surface. You can use a blocking board from a craft shop, a foam panel from a DIY shop or a piece of cardboard - any surface will do as long as you can stick pins in it! 😉

Step 7. 

Use any tool you find handy to draw a perfect circle of a suitable size on your blocking board. You can use a string, a measuring tape or just a big enough dish you found in your kitchen! 

Step 8. 

Wring your doily carefully, spread it on the blocking board, and use your pins to shape it. Don't be afraid to give your doily a little stretch - this way it will become a bit more crispy when it's dry.  

Step 9. 

Now it's time to have some rest! Leave your doily in horizontal position until it's completely dry. 

Step 10. 

When your doily is completely dry, carefully remove the pins and... enjoy the gorgeous result!  

You can watch a short video of blocking a doily here. 

Blocked doilies always look like sophisticated and elegant webs - they are airy and keep the shape perfectly. They are easy to move around the table and dust doesn't stick to them that easily! Your project deserve to look amazing and it only takes 10-15 minutes to take their look to the next level!