A gathered lampshade with velvet trim - Attaching the trim

Attaching the Trim

Your lampshade is almost complete, and you'll be starting to see the results of your hard work! The final step is to add the finishing touch; a velvet trim.

What You Will Need

• Lampshade frame with outer fabric and lining attached
• Trim (I'm using this stretch velvet ribbon)
• Thread in the same colour as your trim
• Pins
• Small scissors

Attaching Trim to the Bottom Ring

Step 1

Position your lampshade so the bottom ring is facing up, and locate the same starting point you have used throughout; the seam line.

Step 2

Take the end of your trim, and position it on your lampshade so that the top edge sits flush with the edge of the bottom ring and the end overlaps the seam line by a couple of centimetres to give you a seam allowance. Pin in place.

Step 3

Pull the trim to sit straight along the edge of the bottom ring and continue to pin in place.

Step 4

In order to achieve a really neat finish, I like to attach the trim in sections. So, once you've pinned roughly 20 cm of trim in place, take a threaded needle and go back to the seam line to begin sewing the top edge of the trim to the lampshade using a slip stitch. You don't need to catch the binding in your stitch; you are only aiming to catch the lining fabric.

Step 5

Continue to pin then sew in small sections, until you have worked your way around the entire bottom ring. Once you reach the starting point again, overlap the starting edge of the trim, then cut the excess velvet trim with a 2 cm seam allowance.

Step 6

Fold and tuck this end of the trim back on itself to conceal any raw edges of the fabric, then pin in place onto the lampshade and secure with stitches.

Step 7

This step is optional, and one that you may not find necessary. Flip your lampshade over, and hold it in one hand. Use your other hand to now sew the other edge of the trim to your outer fabric using the same slip stitch. Make sure you are only catching the outer fabric, and not going through to the lining fabric. You'll find this is also an opportunity to tighten your outer fabric into the stitch if you find there are any loose areas.

Attaching Trim to the Top Ring

Step 8

Turn your lampshade so that the top ring is facing up, and locate the seam line as your starting point.

Step 9

Repeat the same process you have just completed on the bottom ring, to attach the velvet trim to the top ring. It can be a little more fiddly, so take your time. Ensure there are no stitches visible on the top of the ring; if there are, you can pull the fabric to position them under the velvet trim.

Your lampshade is now complete!