Make a… lampshade

Step 1 MEASURE

the height and circumference of your lampshade carefully before starting – this will give you the size that your stitching needs to be to cover the shade. For the 15cm shade you will need just over two pattern repeats to cover the shade. Your stitching should be the same size as your backing fabric, but because of the stretch in the fabric it may be slightly larger once stitched, meaning the pattern repeat may not match exactly at the back of the shade.

Step 2 PLACE

the PVC self-adhesive panel on the wrong side of your stitching. Once you’re happy with the placement, peel back the backing paper from the middle out and press down the panel, attaching it to the stitching. Check the panel – if you feel a crease, peel back and start again.

Step 3 TRIM

away the unstitched fabric from around the panel. Snap back the creased edges on the long sides of the PVC panel to break on the pre-made cut, and then remove the PVC strips from both long edges. Apply double-sided tape to both the panel ends. Fold the fabric over onto the tape on one short side, and on the other, cut the fabric flush with the edge of the plastic, leaving the tape for securing the overlap.

Step 4 APPLY

double-sided tape to the outside of the shade ring. Apply evenly, and then fold the tape around the wire. Repeat for the other ring. Place the two rings on the PVC covered fabric, top and bottom, and then roll together towards the other end of the fabric – you need to start at the end that is cut flush with the PVC panel. Make sure the rings are on the PVC and not the fabric. When you get to the end, let the neatened fabric edge overlap, and press together from the centre out – do not apply too much pressure or you will dent the lampshade. Place the lampshade on a firm surface and carefully apply pressure to the overlap, to hold the ends firmly together.

Step 5 SNIP

the edge of the fabric in line with the struts on the ring. Pinch the fabric onto the sticky ring, and then using the tool supplied with the kit, and working on the inside, push the fabric behind the ring at the top and bottom on the lampshade.