A gathered lampshade with a frilly bottom - Attaching the self made trims

Attaching the Self Made Trims

The final step to finishing your lampshade is adding the trim around the top and bottom of the frame.

What You Will Need

• Lampshade frame with outer fabric and lining attached
• Trim
• I'm using the one I made in the previous lesson
• Thread in the same colour as your trim
• Pins
• Small scissors

Sewing Trim to the Bottom Ring

Step 1

Turn your lampshade frame so the bottom ring is facing up and have your trim to hand.

Step 2

Locate the seam line, and as we did in the previous project, take the end of your trim, peel off the paper backing, and begin to position it on your lampshade. This time, you will need to push back the frill to line the top edge of the trim up with the edge of the bottom ring of the frame. Pin the end of the trim in place once you're happy with the positioning.

Step 3

Once the end is secure, continue to line up the trim and pin in place as you go. Make sure the trim is covering up all the stitching on the outer fabric.

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 outer fabric and 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 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 this time. You'll find this is also an opportunity to tighten your outer fabric into the stitch if you find there are any loose areas.

Step 8

When you're finished, turn your lampshade frame so the bottom ring is resting on the table and arrange the frilly bottom so it fans out - this encourages the fabric to sit nicely.

Sewing Trim to the Top Ring

Step 9

With your lampshade frame positioned so that the top ring is facing up, you need to locate the seam line as your starting point.

Step 10

Repeat the same process you have just completed on the bottom ring to attach the 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!