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Illumination is the source of sight. In a room, the points of light draw the eye
naturally, becoming intrinsic focal points in any space. One way to take
advantage of this fact is to create your own custom covered lampshades. This
will allow you to take control of the glow, filtering it with fabrics or forming
it into patterns depending on the nature of the material that is used.
You should start off with a light, translucent or semi translucent lamp shade.
This will allow the most illumination to pass through, giving you a variety of
light effects you can create with the final piece.
The fabric you choose to line the shade with can either be very dark, to create
a soft smoky effect, or very thin and light to create a more powerful
illuminated piece. Contrast dark and light to create glowing patterns across the
surface of the finished piece.
Next take the lampshade and lay it flat against the fabric. Roll the fabric
around its outside, and trim it so that there are two extra inches of fabric on
the top, bottom, and leading edge of the material.
You then trace a line of fabric glue down the lamp shades side tracing the seam,
starting at the top and working your way to the bottom. Secure one end of the
fabric to this glue, pressing it down firmly, and then holding it in place with
clean-release tape. This should be allowed to sit and thoroughly dry for at
least half an hour. The loose end of the fabric should then be wrapped tight
around the secure end, and secured with more of the clean release tape.
The next step is to fold the excess cloth around the top and bottom of the
shade, and mark the crease line where it presses against the edge of the shade
with a fabric pen. You then unfold the fabric, and cut along the edge about one
half inch above where you marked the line.
This excess half inch of fabric should then be folded in on itself, so that it
is hidden under the front of the fabric, pressed against the outside of the
shade. This will create a clean edge for the covering. Glue this down to the
inner shade and then use clean-release tape to hold it in place while it dries.
You should do this on the bottom side first, and then on the top.
The final step is to take the unsecured leading edge of the fabric and create a
finished seam. In order to do this, remove tape from the side, and fold the
fabric one half inch under itself. Then use fabric glue to secure this edge
around the shade tightly. More tape can be used to hold the material in place
while the adhesive dries.
Once the shade is covered, you can use a variety of decorative embellishments to
make it even more attractive. Pins and ribbons can be strung or stuck, buttons
can be pinned and even little decorative stars or stickers can be used to
enhance the final effect however you like.
This article provided courtesy of PebbleZ’s line of decorative table lamps
crafted from real, polished onyx stone materials that glow with translucent
beauty. The author of the proceeding piece is stone artist Joey Pebble.
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