Ray & Day: DIY Doily Lantern

I am excited to share our DIY project. This was only the test run, but it was successful. HOORAY! We are hoping to make bigger versions of our doily lanterns, but for the first time trying this out, we didn't want to waste doilies in case it was a bust.

What's needed:

Balloons (we want to use larger balloons or maybe even beach balls for the real deal)
Stiffy, Fabric Stiffener (We bought ours at Joanne Fabrics)
A Small Dish
A Paint Brush
Scissors

Doilies or Lace Curtains (If using lace curtains, it must be cut into small pieces.)

1. Collect your doilies or lace curtains.

2. Blow up the balloon. Don't buy your balloon at the dollar store, like us; they pop pretty easily so go ahead and upgrade to a party store!

3. Put the Stiffy in the dish and lay your fabric directly in the solution. Make sure the fabric is covered with Stiffy and place it on the balloon. Use the paint brush to gently smooth out and remove excess.

4. Overlap the fabric pieces until the entire balloon is covered (TIP: the pieces don't need to be overlapped too much-just barely). Make sure the pieces are not too big; you want them to lay flat on the surface of the balloon. At the base of the balloon, where you tie it, you will not place the fabric. There needs to be a place where you can remove the balloon pieces (or insert an LED candle if you so choose). (That is for you Jess Singer :))

5. Let the balloon sit in an old bowl or hang it from a string with newspaper underneath to catch any drips.

6. Let it set overnight until the fabric is completely dry. Excess stiffener will slide to the bottom of the balloon as it hangs or sits in a bowl while drying. You will need to smooth out this area with paint brush and turn the balloon so this area can dry. Let it sit for another 5 hours or until it all feels hardened.