Lampshades Made from Soft Fabrics

By M. R. Griffith

This book contains a classic guide to making lampshades out of satin and silk. With simple, step-by-step instructions and detailed diagrams, this volume is incredibly novice-friendly, and will appeal to those with an interest in handcrafting and cost cutting. Contents include: “Making Lampshades”, “Sectional Fabric Shades”, “A Bowed Empire Shade with a Balloon Lining”, “A Lace of Net Over Satin shade”, “A French Shade”, “Pleated and Swathed Silks hades”, and “Swathed Shades”. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly rare and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on making lampshades.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: May 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781473384163

Book preview

SHADES MADE FROM SOFT FABRICS

Sectional Fabric Shades

[PHOTOGRAPH 1A]

THIS method of covering lampshades is used for any convex or unusual shape, where the method described in Chapter 12 would be impracticable. Almost any soft fabric can be used, but the easiest to manipulate are silk, satin, crepe, brocade, cotton and rayon. All materials should be cut on the straight.

Bedhead shades usually need to have each panel covered separately and the covering of one of these is described below.

Method of Making

1.   Tape the frame and dye the taped frame to the colour of the material.

2.   Pin a piece of material across the centre panel, remembering that if there is a pattern on the material it must be fixed in the centre of the panel. Stretch and pull the material pinning it to the section of the frame until it is quite taut and free from creases (Fig. 38).

FIG. 38. Single section of material pinned to centre section of bedhead frame

FIG. 39. Attaching material with small oversewing stitches

3.   Stitch this section firmly to the frame with close oversewing stitches, removing the pins as the stitching progresses (Fig. 39).

4.   Turn the surplus material over