DIY Pillow Cover Using Repurposed Vintage Lace

This DIY pillow cover made with repurposed vintage lace is a simple example of how giving new life to something old can create something beautiful. By adding a white vintage lace dresser scarf to a linen lumbar pillow cover, this easy hand-sewn project creates a refreshed accent using only items you already have with no new purchases required.

The next time you are out thrifting, keep your eyes open for lace table runners, dresser scarves, tablecloths, placemats, and other vintage textiles that can be tucked away for future projects. These pieces are often priced very reasonably and are perfect for repurposing. Fabric store clearance sections can also be a wonderful place to find lace by the yard or on spools at bargain prices. You may also find lace in unexpected places, such as family linen closets, inherited linens, old sewing boxes, or even clothing that is no longer worn, making it easy to collect beautiful materials without spending much or anything at all.

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Why Repurpose Vintage Lace?

There is an undeniable, timeless beauty in vintage lace. The kind of delicate craftsmanship that modern machines often cannot replicate. Yet, so often, these heirloom pieces sit tucked away in dark trunks or forgotten drawers, deemed too fragile or outdated for modern life. Repurposing lace is mindful creativity in action, allowing you to honor the past while choosing a sustainable future. Choosing to breathe new life into existing materials reduces our footprint and honors the original maker’s stunning handiwork, especially if you can find European lace. Instead of letting these intricate threads be forgotten, you are giving them a deserving new life. You are transforming them from dusty relics into functional art that adds a soft, storied elegance to your home.

New Life for Old Lace: A Simple Pillow Upcycle

Sometimes, you stumble upon a piece that is so stunning it practically tells you what it wants to become. For this project, a European vintage lace dresser scarf is an ideal candidate. These scarves often feature intricate borders and center designs that are perfectly scaled for a 16″ x 24″ lumbar pillow. Because dresser scarves are typically long and narrow, they drape beautifully across the front of a lumbar form, allowing the detailed patterns to take center stage. When you find a piece with that level of craftsmanship, it transforms a simple pillow into a statement of elegance that anchors the entire room.

Supplies You Will Need

This is a “no new purchases” project using a basic sewing kit and a few other items that you may have around the house.

• A Lumbar Pillow Cover: Preferably a solid color (like linen or cotton) to let the lace shine.
• Vintage Lace: A small table runner, dresser scarf, placemat, or scrap.
• Needle & Thread: Match the lace color (usually cream, white, or ecru).
• Fabric Pins: Keep lace from shifting while you sew.
• Measuring Tape: To help with aligning the lace to the center of the pillow.
• Scissors: For trimming excess length or thread.
• Needle Threader (Optional): If you are like me and need help threading the small eye of the needle.

Other Options: If you do not want to sew, hot glue or Fabric Fusion could be used. However, glue can often cause vintage lace to yellow or stiffen over time.

I chose to hand-stitch the lace dresser scarf to the pillow cover. I decided to avoid glue for this gorgeous lace scarf. Hand-sewing the lace protects the intricate threads from damage and preserves the vintage quality.

The “Slow Stitch” Method

There is something incredibly meditative about hand-stitching vintage lace. Because lace has a natural ‘open’ weave, you can easily hide your stitches within the pattern. Use a simple running stitch along the lace edges to secure it to the linen. Since it’s a lumbar pillow meant primarily for back support rather than heavy use, your hand stitching will hold up beautifully. It won’t be subjected to the same wear and tear as a standard bed pillow.

For this project, I am using a running stitch on this beautiful European lace. It will keep the scarf intact and undamaged. This way, it could be easily removed later. A running stitch is likely what you imagine when you think of “sewing.” It is a straight line of stitches that moves in and out of the fabric, appearing as a dashed line (- – – -).

It is done by weaving the needle in and out of the fabric in a continuous straight line. You used this stitch to sew two pieces of fabric together or for gathering fabric.

Step-by-Step Assembly

1. Prepare Your Base

Start with a 16″ x 24″ solid-color pillow cover in linen or cotton. This provides a sturdy foundation and allows the intricate European patterns to stand out. Make sure your cover is ironed flat before you begin. A light press will help it lie flat while you work on it.

2. Position Your Lace

Lay your dresser scarf over the front of the pillow cover. Use sewing pins to hold the lace exactly where you want it, placing them every few inches along the edges.

3. Time To Stitch

For this project, a running stitch is an excellent choice. This simple in-and-out motion allows you to secure the lace to the pillow cover with a clean line of stitches. Because I am working with a delicate European lace, a running stitch provides a gentle hold that won’t pull on the vintage fibers or distort the scarf’s shape.

When using a running stitch on lace, aim your needle through the sturdier parts of the pattern rather than the open gaps. This ensures the lace stays firmly attached to your 16″ x 24″ lumbar pillow as it gets moved around on your chair, sofa, or bed.

4. Secure The Lace

Starting at one corner, sew a continuous line of stitches around the scarf’s edge. Weave your needle in and out of both the lace and the pillow fabric, keeping your stitches small and consistent. As you move along the perimeter, ensure the lace remains smooth and flat against the base. If your lace scarf has a decorative border, follow the inner edge of that border to create a secure bond that stays hidden within the pattern.

Why This Works: Using a running stitch here creates a flat, stable connection that feels very integrated with the fabric. It is a great way to ensure that your 16″ x 24″ lumbar pillow looks professional and polished.

5. Final Touches

Once you have circled the entire piece, tie a small knot on the underside of the lace or hide it inside the pillow cover seam. Gently slide your 16″ x 24″ pillow insert into the cover, and your transformation is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to wash the vintage lace before I start? It is generally a good idea to gently hand-wash vintage lace to remove any dust or old scents. Soak it in lukewarm water with a very mild soap, rinse thoroughly, and lay it flat on a towel to air dry. This ensures the lace is clean and pre-shrunk before you stitch it onto your 16″ x 24″ lumbar pillow.

What happens if the lace is larger than my pillow? If your European dresser scarf is longer than the 24-inch width of your pillow, you can simply wrap the excess around the sides. This creates a beautiful, continuous look. Alternatively, you can center the best part of the pattern and let the ends tuck neatly into the side seams of the pillow cover.

Can I use a sewing machine instead of hand stitching? While you can use a machine, hand-stitching with a running stitch is safer for older, delicate pieces. It gives you greater control and prevents the machine from snagging or pulling the lace’s fine threads. Additionally, hand sewing adds to the project’s mindful creativity.

What color thread should I use? Try to match the thread to the darkest or most dominant shade of the lace. If the lace is off-white or cream, use a matching cotton thread so the stitches blend in and become nearly invisible within the pattern.

Can I still wash the pillow cover once the lace is attached? Once the lace is sewn on, handle the pillow cover with care. It is best to hand-wash the cover in cool water and air-dry. Avoid the dryer, as the heat can damage the vintage fibers and cause the lace to lose its shape.

Things I Am Loving Right Now

About The Handcrafted Society

What I love about the Handcrafted Society is seeing all the passion and creativity. We are creating using the same or a similar medium. It is so inspirational to see the interpretations of everyone’s projects.

You will find a gallery of this month’s projects at the end of this post. Each image links to my friends’ tutorial, inspiring you to create something that reflects your style.

It is a joy to be part of the Handcrafted Society, where each month we share thoughtful, inspiring home projects. This month’s focus is on using what you already have—old lace, table linens, trim, or lace doilies—to create something new and beautiful. These projects celebrate soft details, sentimental materials, and the simple pleasure of giving forgotten pieces a second life.

Final Thoughts

Being part of the Handcrafted Society is such a joy because it celebrates the beauty of using what we already have. This month has been a wonderful reminder that a little bit of hand stitching and some forgotten lace can completely transform a space. Do not forget to visit the other talented makers in the gallery above to see how they interpreted this month’s theme. Their projects are sure to spark even more ideas for your next afternoon of crafting.

For me, this project gave my vintage dresser scarf new life as a beautiful pillow cover for my living room. It was a rewarding project that yielded a one-of-a-kind result. If you decide to try this simple upcycle, please share your results with me. I would love to see the vintage textiles you choose to preserve and display in your own home. Happy stitching!

XOXO,