TRADITIONAL & MODERN LAMPSHADE MAKING

If you aspire to the luxury and elegance of making your own lampshades that ooze class like a dowager, this is the workshop for you. Even if you have never stitched in your life, Ian McQueen’s relaxed and friendly style of tuition will have you wishing you had taken to the sewing needle years ago.

Ian is a City and Guilds trained craftsman who makes elegant traditionally built fine lampshades for interior designers and high end shops. Some are sophisticated – lined with silk so light glows through, some are dramatic and simple in Ikat or Linen. All are hand stitched – not glued – so that they retain their shape and structure to give years of pleasure.

During this one-day lampshade making course you can choose between working on a drum or a curved empire shape. You will learn how to make a fabric lampshade from scratch. You will take a wire frame and transform it into a bespoke home accessory for all to admire in your home. We use a 10 inch diameter ‘Drum shade’ for the ‘Stiff’ technique – reinforcing the shaped fabric with a adhesive plastic backing and a 12 inch diameter straight Empire frame to make a lined or unlined shade. If you want to learn how to get a pleated effect, you can use either wire frames to sew your own creation.

You can select fabric from a few fabrics we have available but we recommend you bring along 1 metre of fabric to match your colour scheme. If you want to walk on the wild side, bring any fabric you want to give new life. Students have even transformed an old pair of jeans into a striking shade.

The process is fun but meticulous so there is sometimes only the time to complete the stitching on one lampshade in a day. This will depend on your speed. What you will  take home is some of the historical skills used by milliners and upholders. (They were the stitchers who hung the tapestries on medieval walls.) As well as the know how and route to suppliers you will learn how to make your own lampshades at home. The tutor can demonstrate how to make simple trims in the same fabric.  No special machinery is required and only a little help from a simple sewing machine available at the centre. It does not matter if you have never used a machine before.

Choices:
1. Make a firm drum lampshade. Using a supplied frame, you will learn how to stitch reinforced fabric onto a frame using a traditional stitch.
2. A pleated or unpleated lampshade. The lampshade fabric is stretched or folded directly onto a ‘Straight Empire’ frame. The lampshade can then lined with a contrasting fabric.

The use of all tools and materials are included.

We have additional assorted frames for sale, as well as backing material and India tape for you to make more lampshades at home.

Ian McQueen

Ian is a City and Guilds trained craftsman who has taught for many years. He makes beautiful traditionally built fine lampshades for interior designers and high end shops. Some are sophisticated some are dramatic statements bejewelled with vintage adornments. All are hand stitched with precision so that they retain their shape and structure to give years of pleasure.

General Information

You will receive a courtesy reminder by email 1-2 days before the workshop/course begins.

Refreshments

Coffee, tea and biscuits are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you or visit a nearby venue to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access or special needs, please contact us confidentially in advance by email info@thegoodlifecentre.co.uk. There is a small step to the entrance, and the toilet is on the ground floor.

All sewing workshops and occasionally lampshade making, tassel making and bookbinding workshops are located on the second floor. There is no lift access.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, The Goodlife Centre reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions

View our Terms and Conditions here.