How to Make Victorian Lamp Shades

During the Victorian era lighting was primarily from gas. But with Edison's improved institute of the incandescent light bulb in 1879, galvanic lighting began replacing gas lighting in Victorian homes. This turn became the catalyst for a variety of lamp shades made to shield the glaring light bulbs.

Elegant shades graced table and floor lamps as well as crystal chandeliers imported from Europe. And the galvanic light bulb enabled fine work to be sewn at night commonly under a parlor bridge lamp. Today the tradition of hand-sewn lamp shades continues.

Foolr Lamp

When buying or recovering a lamp shade today, keep the institute of the lamp base in mind. Curved shades compliment curved lamps and angular shades commonly work best with angular lamps. Shade frames are available for lamp bases with harps, bridge lamps, floor lamps with glass bowls, chandeliers, headboards, nightlights and more.

Shade frames can commonly be recovered or new ones purchased. An ancient frame is stripped, covered with rust-retardant and recovered. Over the years, a large variety of styles were designed. Interesting, all the frames have names. Since flowers played such an foremost role in the Victorian decorating scheme, many have names such as Tulip and Daffodil.

The frame is then wrapped with cotton twill tape to enable the maker to sew the fabric onto the metal. Wrapping with the strict tension is an art that either results in a capability goods or a shoddy piece.

The intricate patterns made by the joining of the metal wires generate small "windows". Each window (panel) is lined with satin, silk or other beautiful fabrics. While capability domestic fabrics are often used today, many individuals pick imported fabrics similar to those in fine Victorian homes.

One of the most beloved extra effects is the "rosette". Here again the flower theme is repeated with sewing techniques that follow in rose-like puffs. commonly they are combined with pleating or shirring that finishes the look. Someone else method is "fan pleating" - a pattern that is reminiscent of the fans used by Victorian ladies to cool themselves. Lace or burn-out velvet are often sewn on adjoining panels.

The shade is done with braid, lace, ribbon and specialty trims. The finishing trim is applied either by sewing or with hi-tech bonding agents (not hot glue). Wonderful hand-dyed fringe or sparkling beads and matching tassels for pull chains complete the finishing touches.

A capability hand-sewn lamp shade given the proper care will last for many years.
If you have an ancient lamp shade that needs recovering or are looking for a new shade visit Candy at http://www.accentshade.com

Note: This description may not be copied or reprinted without the express written permission from the author.

How to Make Victorian Lamp Shades