A gathered lampshade with a frilly bottom - Attaching the lining to the frame

A Gathered Lampshade with a Frilly Bottom

Attaching the Lining to the Frame

We are now moving onto the second project, creating a lampshade with a frilly edge. This lesson will pick up from where lesson 13 finished, so watch back to prepare your fabric and lampshade frame.

What You Will Need

• Prepped and bound lampshade frame
• Cut and marked lining fabric
• Pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Small scissors
• Glue stick

Attaching Trim to the Bottom Ring

Step 1

The key difference in process between projects is that for the frilly bottom finish, you must attach the lining fabric to the frame first. Take your prepped piece of lining fabric, and familiarise yourself with the location of the markers you made earlier. Turn your lampshade frame so that the bottom ring is facing upwards.

Step 2

Hold your lining fabric so the front side - the side that will be visible - is facing away from you. Start with the right side of the fabric panel and fold the 2 cm seam allowance over and towards you. Position so that it lines up with the first spoke and pin.

Step 3

Move around the frame, lining up each of your markers to the corresponding spoke and pinning in place. Once you reach the first spoke again, pin the fabric in place so it overlaps, but without folding over the seam allowance.

Step 4

With the lining fully pinned, it's now time to sew it in place. Take a threaded needle, and starting to the right of where the two sides of the lining fabric overlap, begin to stitch.

Step 5

Once you have sewn all the way around and the lining is fully attached, you can trim the excess lining fabric. Use a small pair of scissors and go as close to the frame as you can while keeping your stitches intact.

Step 6

Once trimmed, give your work a once over checking for any stray threads or sections that might need trimming down further.

Step 7

Take your glue stick, and gently run it all around the bottom ring of the frame to prevent the fabric from fraying and to seal your stitches.

Step 8

Wait for the glue to dry before moving on to address the top of your lampshade.

Attaching Trim to the Top Ring

Step 9

Pick up your lampshade with one hand, and check you don't have any loose threads or scraps of fabric stuck to your lining fabric. When you're sure it's clean, flip the lampshade over in one hand, and use the other to pull the lining fabric down.

Step 10

Then, turn the lampshade again so the bottom ring is facing up and tuck the lining fabric inside the frame. Reach under and into the top ring to catch the top of the lining fabric, then place the lampshade down on your work surface so the top ring is facing up and you have hold of the lining fabric through it.

Step 11

Locate either side of the lining fabric panel, and repeat exactly what you've done on the bottom ring with the seam allowance and overlap to create your seam line. Pin in place.

Step 12

Work your way round the lampshade aligning each marker on the lining fabric to the corresponding spoke, folding a pleat at this point, and then pinning in pace. Ensure you are pulling the lining tight each time.

Step 13

Once you have sewn all the way around and the lining is fully attached, you can trim the excess lining fabric. Use a small pair of scissors and go as close to the frame as you can while keeping your stitches intact.

Step 14

Now you need to accommodate the lining fabric around the horizontal spokes that attach to the lighting fixture in the centre of the shade. To do this, pull the lining fabric up and tight to the spoke - use one hand to hold this in place underneath the spoke.

Step 15

Next, take your small scissors and carefully cut down into your lining fabric at the point where it meets the spoke. The cut should finish just underneath the spoke.

Step 16

Take hold of both sides of the cut you have just made, and pull the fabric round the spoke, neatly overlapping on top of the spoke and pin.

Step 17

Moving round the lampshade, continue to pull the lining fabric reasonably tight and pinning to secure. Depending on the fabric you are using, it will either gather and pleat quite naturally as you pull it, or you may have to manipulate your own pleats to achieve a neat finish. Be careful to not pull too tight, as you don't want to expose the binding on the bottom ring.

Step 18

Each time you meet a spoke, repeat Step 13-15.

Step 19

Once your lining fabric is fully pinned to the top ring, it's time to sew. Take a threaded needle, and stitch the lining fabric to the binding on the frame. It's especially important in this project to really make sure that your stitches are on the side of the frame, as they are even more likely to be visible if they veer up.

Step 20

With the sewing complete, you can trim the excess lining fabric. Go carefully and take your time, making sure you don't cut any of the stitches, or cut any holes in the lining.

Step 21

Once trimmed, give your work a once over checking for any stray threads or sections that might need trimming down further.

Step 22

Take your glue stick and gently run it around the circumference of the top ring to seal the stitches and prevent any fraying of the lining fabric.

Step 23

Wait for the glue to dry before proceeding onto the next stage.