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Victorian Lace Milk Jug Covers
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Queen Victoria liked garden tea parties, but did not like flies in the milk jug (what we call a creamer, but they called a milk jug because you serve milk, not cream in tea). In order to alleviate this problem, lace doilies, weighted down with beads were the outcome. They are placed over the "milk jug" to keep flies and other unwanted items out of the milk. When the milk jug isn't in use, you can place it over the sugar bowl (proper sugar bowls don't have lids) to keep the dust off the cubes.Victorian Lace Milk Jug Covers
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Lace Milk Jug Covers vary in price, from $5 to $10, but I think it is great fun to make your own! They are not only a pretty addition to the tea table, but they make wonderful gifts as well, especially when added to a hand-made tea gift basket. Who wouldn't love to receive that?
6" 100% ecru or white cotton lace doily (99 cents at Michael's)
Various beads (seed beads, pearl beads and tear drop beads)
Matching cotton thread (clear beading thread is too stiff)
thin beading needle
Various beads (seed beads, pearl beads and tear drop beads)
Matching cotton thread (clear beading thread is too stiff)
thin beading needle
Directions:
1. Thread the needle.
2. Choose beads to form a pattern and sew them on. I usually start at an outer point on the doily. Thread several beads on, ending with a seed bead below a tear drop, then thread back up through the beads and secure it at an outer point on the doily. Don't pull up too tight or the beads will be stiff and won't dangle nicely. They need to dangle because that causes them to act as a weight in spots around the outer edge to pull doily down and keep the flies out.
3. Don't cut the thread, but weave it through the outer edge of the doily, securing a bead here and there along the edge until you reach another outer point. I added bead every 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Then add the same pattern of beads that you did at the other point. Continue the pattern until you have reached your staring point. Tie off securely.
4. Some of doilies have a circular center and that allows you to add more beads in a decorative pattern around the center.
