Course overview:

On our lampshade-making course, you will create a beautiful, traditionally tailored lampshade with a balloon lining  (NOT A DRUM LAMPSHADE).  When you have learnt the skills covered in this course, you can go on to make other lampshades using different frame designs.

Course Tutors:

The course is taught by Jeannie Kelly and Angie Hooton.  Jeannie is a professional lampshade maker and is vastly experienced in making all kinds of soft furnishings.  Angie (although a little younger than Jeannie…) is a professional maker of curtains, blinds and soft furnishings.  Together, they make a great teaching team and are very patient.  There are only six students on the course, so you will receive plenty of attention.

Course level: all levels
Cost: £190
Date: Saturday-Sunday, 8th-9th March, 20225
Timings: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Duration: 2 days
Location: The Old Pigsty on Parsonage Farm
Spaces available: 6

Book your place:

Please email us to book your place or to ask any questions you may have.

Course components:

• Binding the lampshade frame with special tape
• Making a template for your top cover and lining (not always necessary)
• Learning how to stretch the fabric over the frame on the bias
• Hand-sewing: mastering the “lampshade” stitch
• Creating a “balloon” lining or a pleated lining to cover the interior stitching and hems (more hand-sewing!)
• If time allows, attaching braid and fringing to the frame

Depending on your choice of frame, you may also learn how to pleat fabric on the frame or learn how to create panelling on the frame.

The course fee includes:

• Lampshade frame
• Lining fabric
• Lampshade binding tape
• Glue
• Detailed hand-out

What you need to bring:

• One metre of top fabric (or if combining two fabrics, 0.5m of each fabric) (see below about choosing fabric)
• Braid and Fringing
• Matching thread (that blends in to your fabric)
• Dressmaking pins – these are particularly suitable for lampshade making
• Thimble
• A notebook and pen/pencil (to make notes)
• A packed lunch

Experience needed:

No previous experience of sewing is needed.  However, there is a lot of repetitive hand-sewing involved in traditional lampshade-making, so patience is required.  You may need or want to do a little hand-sewing in the evening between the first and second day.

Your choice of fabric:

The fabric that you choose can either be plain or patterned.  The most suitable fabrics are: silk, Dupion (slightly textured silk), Moire, damask, lightweight cotton or cotton mix, and linen.  Heavier-weight fabrics such as velvet and very stretchy fabrics like jersey are not suitable.  There should be a little give when you pull on the bias.  If you are using a patterned fabric, be aware that it will be used at a 45-degree angle (on the bias), so think about the placement of the fabric and where the design will sit.  You can choose two different fabrics to create contrasting panels (although this involves extra hand-sewing).

You can also use a vintage scarf instead of fabric.  Friend of the company, Paula Modeste (owner of Modeste Finds), is a vintage scarf guru and sells a fabulous range of scarves via her Etsy shop.

Your choice of braid and fringing:

If you would like to complete the lampshade in the two days, please ensure you have bought some braid and fringing.  To finish off one of the supplied frames below, you will need 2 metres of braid and 3 metres of fringing.  Barnett Lawson is a great company that sells a huge range of braids and fringing, and they offer a samples service.  If you’re undecided on the type of braid and fringing you’d like or you run out of time, we will demonstrate how to attach it to the frame on the second day so you can add it at a later date.

Your choice of frame:

At the beginning of the course, you can choose from any of the frames pictured below.  They are approximately 30cm in diameter and are suitable for a table lamp or pendant light.  Jeannie will also bring along a few other designs that might appeal.

Booking terms and conditions
Health & Safety guidelines