Choosing your fabrics

Choosing Your Fabrics

Deciding on the materials you want to use in your project is an incredibly fun process, but there are some limitations to the sorts of fabrics you can use in order to achieve the very best results. In this lesson I'll show you what I use, and provide a guide for you to source your own.

Choosing Your Lining

Generally speaking, a lining fabric should be lightweight and have good transparency.

Below are the different types of lining I like to use for my various projects, but these are just suggestions and I would encourage you to be guided by what appeals to you and the look you want to create.

• Off-white slubby linen

Complements the natural fabrics I gravitate towards, and gives a great result when used as a hand-pleated lining. It has a subtle stretch, meaning it's easy to work with.

• Honey toned linen

I use this when I want my lampshade to provide more of an emphasised golden glow. It is also slightly stiff and less malleable than the off-white slubby linen.

• Polyester fabric

Very readily available and cost effective. It has a good stretch, so works particularly well with the technique of balloon lining.

• Natural silk

Creates an elegant and refined look, and gives the lampshade a soft, warm light. Tends to be more expensive.

• Coloured linings

These can be really fun to experiment with, and will offer a darker and more moody glow.

Choosing Your Outer Fabric

In order to successfully make a gathered fabric lampshade, you will require quite a specific type of fabric.

It needs to be very lightweight in composition so that the gathering can be effective and neat. It should also be slightly transparent as you also want the light to be able to flow through the fabric and give off a pretty glow.

Fabrics that work well:

• silk
• thin cotton
• sheer linen
• light voiles
• dress making fabric.

Fabrics to avoid:

• thick cottons
• stiff linen
• upholstery grade fabric.

Repurposing Vintage Fabrics

A really important part of my design ethos is reusing and repurposing existing fabrics, and avoiding buying new where I can.

There are so many beautiful fabrics already available in the world, and sourcing something vintage means it will be truly unique and bespoke to you.

As well as looking in antique markets and haberdasheries, you can explore your own wardrobes and consider recycling an old scarf or dress you no longer wear.

Tips for Buying Vintage

• It's always best to buy in person, rather than online. This way you can feel the handle of the fabric and better ascertain how it will work as a gathered lampshade.
• Be armed with your measurements so you know exactly how much fabric you're going to need - often vintage fabrics are only available in small quantities or as off-cuts.
• If you are buying online, stick to reputable sources who accurately represent the colour and sizing of the fabric they are selling, as well as any imperfections it may have.

Vintage Saris

In my own work I'm particularly drawn to vintage saris; I love their jewel colours, unique patterns and their antique nature gives them a faded elegance. Their silky consistency is also perfect for making gathered fabric lampshades.

Sourcebook

Merchant & Mills

The Cloth House

The Cloth Shop