Sewing expert Sally Cheney shows how to make an elaborate-looking Victorian fringed lampshade. Materials:
Victorian-style lampshade frame
1/2 yard fabric
1/2 yard lining, flame retardant
Finishing trim, 2" wide, enough to go around top and bottom of frame
Gimp, enough for each spoke and to go around the top
Fringe, enough to go around the bottom
Bias tape, same quantity as gimp
Glue gun and glue
Button or carpet thread
Large hand-sewing needle
Tracing paper
All-purpose thread
Scissors
- To make a pattern for one section of the frame, place a piece of paper on the outside of the frame, between two spokes. Tape it from the inside to hold it firmly in place. With a pen, trace along the four sides -- top, bottom, left and right -- created by the ridges of the spokes (figure A). This is the only pattern needed since each section of the frame is the same.
- Remove the paper from the frame, and fold it in half lengthwise to check its symmetry. Hold it up to the light to see if the two sides are the same, and adjust them to match if necessary. Make a final pattern, adding 1/8" to both left and right sides, 1" at the top and 1 1/2" at the bottom (figure B).
- Once the pattern has been marked, cut it out, and compare it with the frame, adjusting if necessary.
- Use the pattern to cut as many fabric and lining pieces as necessary. Cut all the pieces with the grain of the fabric running the same way so the stretch is consistent throughout.
- Sew all the fabric sections together with a 1/4" seam allowance. Don't sew the last seam. Wrap the sewn piece around the frame, and check the fit. Ideally it should be about 1" too small (figure C). If it's too big, leave the previous stitching in place, and sew all the seams again with a slightly wider seam allowance. When the piece is the correct size, stitch the last seam.
- Repeat the measuring, cutting and sewing process to create the shade lining.
- To stretch the lining and fabric onto the frame, wet them first, then put the lining inside the fabric (wrong sides together), matching the seams as well as possible, and fit them on the frame (figure D). The lining and fabric now will be treated as one.
- Pull the extra fabric at the top and bottom of the shade over the rim to the inside, and pin in place. Whip-stitch the fabric in place, using doubled heavy-duty button or carpet thread (figure E). The stitching will be covered with trim, so it doesn't have to be perfect. Trim the excess fabric.
- Hand-stitch each spoke to its corresponding seam on the inside of the shade ( figure F). If it's necessary to wet the fabric again, wet it completely so water spots don't form, and let it dry thoroughly before proceeding.
- Now you can begin decorating the shade with braid and fringe. Use a glue gun to attach all the trim, gluing just a few inches at a time. Hot-glue braid on all vertical seams (figure G).
- Hot-glue a 2"-wide band of finishing trim around the top and bottom of the shade, covering all raw edges. Top the bottom edge with braid, then add fringe to the bottom edge.
- Use hot glue to cover the inside spokes with bias tape.
Safety Notes : - Do not use a bulb with a wattage rating higher than the lamp requires.
- Never use a lamp with an old or frayed cord.
- Never let the bulb get too close to the shade.
- Use flame-retardant fabric.
RESOURCES :
Lamp-making materials
AAA Sewing & Vacuum
Madison, TN 37115
Phone: 615-870-0044
Fax: 615-870-0134
Sally Cheney
AAA Sewing & Vacuum
Madison, TN 37115
Phone: 615-870-0044
Fax: 615-870-0134
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