DIY Lace String Lights

Hi there, Melissa here from The Sweet Escape to share a pretty summer craft with you today. I had the incredible pleasure of taking a few days off to visit this amazing treehouse retreat in the country recently with my best friend and crafty partner in crime. The biggest stress was deciding which area I wanted to relax in, now, that’s what I call a holiday.

My friend and I are both craft junkies and decided that it would be a great time to cross a project off our crafty to-do list. I decided to make this small set of lace string lights. I thought they would also make a great little gift to leave behind in the treehouse for our amazing hosts.

If you’ve ever visited my project gallery you’ll see that I love making things using repurposed or thrifted material. This project is great for that. Stop by your local thrift store and I guarentee that you’ll find a bunch of lace tablecloths, placemats or doilies that would be perfect for this. I found this cheerful and feminine lace tablecloth some time ago on a thrifting expedition.

Here’s what else you’ll need:

• fabric stiffener (or you can make your own mixture)
• a bag of small balloons or anything that can be used as a round shape mold
• string/twine
• med-large bowl
• string of lights
• clear tape or small elastic bands (optional)

This was our designated crafting space. I couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect space if I tried. Almost all the decor on the treehouse property is made from repurposed materials which just adds to the character and natural elements.

So then it was time to pour ourselves some of our favorite Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, play some tunes and get to work. And by work I mean doing what we love most in the most gorgeous and serene place.

To start blow up your small balloons (water balloons work really well) and cut up your lace in pieces big enough to wrap around the balloon or whatever mold you’re using. Also cut up a bunch of string to have ready, approx. 4″-5″ each.

Next pour your fabric stiffener into a bowl or pan and one at a time, dip your piece of lace until it’s completely covered.

Squeeze out the excess, neatly wrap around the balloon mold and tie with a piece of string to hold in place.

Once you’re done string them up to dry overnight or until they’re completely firm.

You’ll find that the balloons may shrink on their own but if not, give them a pop. Then take a pair of good scissors, cut off the tied up end and carefully cut around the lace to make the size of cover you want for your light. Depending on the lace pattern, you likely can just stick the light right into one of the already made holes. Wrap some clear tape or clear elastic band around the stem of light if you need something to help hold it in place. Then voila! a lovely evening on the patio and a few bottles of Chardonnay later you have this sweet piece of decor.

They are definitely delicate so you don’t want to be taking them up and down regularly. Pick a spot where they will be used as a sweet element of decor. I thought they were a nice pop of color on the covered treehouse porch to welcome guests, either above or beside the front doors.