How Shades Are Made

Accent Shade

Antique Lamp Shades Victorian Lamp Shades

Lamp Shade Repair & Restoration

The Art of Hand Sewn Lamp Shades

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

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

The Frame

A specially designed metal frame is purchased or an existing lampshade is stripped of fabric and the frame recovered with new fabric and trim. Frames are then painted with a rust-retardant or coated with a white plastic material (like coat hangers). Over the years, hundreds of styles of lamp shade frames were created in various shapes and sizes. See Custom Orders for a variety of popular Victorian frames.

Over the years, a large variety of styles were designed. Interesting, all the frames have names. Since flowers played such an important role in the Victorian decor and decorating scheme, many have names such as Tulip and Buttercup. The Victorian lamp shade shown above is the Daffodil design.

The Binding

A special cotton tape is wound and sewn to the frame to ready it for hand sewing. No glue is used to attach the fabric to the frame. Correct wrapping of the frame is integral to the quality finish of the shade. The binding on quality lamp shades is usually dyed to match the fabric or the trim. Remember, the inside of the lamp shade can often be seen, especially when sitting. Quality shades show attention to the details on the inside as well as outside.

Satin, silk and other beautiful fabrics are hand-sewn on each panel of the frame (the space between the wires). If the frame has six panels, the fabric is sewn on the binding in six different pieces. Sewing of the fabric requires hundreds of tiny stitches. Chiffon rosettes, pleating, lace and other fabrics are then sewn one panel at a time over the lining fabric. Some lamp shades may have as many as three or four layers to achieve special effects. The fabric or fringe may be hand dyed. Note: Candy does not use a sewing machine or hot glue. Glue will deteriorate over time reducing the life of the lamp shade.

The fabric lining is overlaid with lace panels, lace accents, chiffon with shirring or pleating and other special effects. The rosettes can be hand dyed to compliment the overall color scheme. Silk burn-out velvet is very popular and adds to the opulence so typical of Victorian shades.

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

The Trim

The shade is highlighted with a variety of trims including French braid, specialty trims, fringe and glass or acrylic beads. Trim colors are usually a different hue of the fabric or a different contrasting color. Candy uses a high-tech bonding agent that remains flexible and does not harden to apply the trim (a universal space age adhesive, certified by NASA for flight on space shuttles). Candy does not use hot glue. Matching tassels are usually handmade for lamps with hanging chains.

From opulent Victorian lamp shades to updated versions of classic shades, the cost will vary greatly depending on the complexity of the frame, materials used and the amount of time and sewing required to acquire the time-tested beauty of a handmade shade.

Keep the Shade Beautiful

We suggest using a clear light bulb as a regular bulb detracts from the beauty of the shade. Use a feather duster for cleaning your handmade shade.

See our Photo Gallery and Custom Lamp Shades for ideas.
Visit our Online Catalog for shades for sale.

A quality hand-sewn lamp shade given the proper care will last for many years.
If you have an antique lamp shade that needs recovering or are looking for a new shade,
visit Accent Shade online or contact Candy Arnold by email.

Studio Phone: 509-460-1044
Email: candy@accentshade.com