Fabric stiffener

[Schuhby]

Does anyone know where I can buy sheets of laminate to stiffen fabric for making lampshades, I'm assuming it's a laminate but could be wrong. Any thoughts please?

Philip

[nic]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Fred Aldous, possibly. I haven't heard of a laminate, all I've read about it suggests a thin card. I've successfully used buckram in the past, the sort that comes in a wide roll, not the heading stuff. And no, I haven't the foggiest where you can get that, since the Singer shop in Aberdeen closed down twenty years ago. Sorry, not very helpful. Bluebell's the lampshade wizard, isn't she?

[Louise]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Try these - some are iron-on, others self-adhesive (all stated as suitable for lampshades) - I guess it might come down to price.

http://www.u-handbag.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=682
http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/product_292010003.htm
http://www.rainbowsilks.co.uk/SubCat...m?SubCatId=286
http://www.web-crafts.co.uk/Lampshad...ng_B213OU.aspx

I would be very interested to hear what you try and your opinion of it. I'm sure you don't need instructions but there are some at http://kirinote.blogspot.com/2007/09...ade-frame.html

[JAWC]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Hi,

Not used this myself but could try:
http://www.needcraft.co.uk/extra-rigid- ... m-17-p.asp

It says it's specially engineering for lampshade making and has been glow wire tested by Lighting Assn. Also other grades availalbe on website

Regards,
Janet

[Schuhby]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Thank you! I will look at them all and check out the options.

Philip

[Penny]

Re: Fabric stiffener

I recently had a firm shade made and the stiffening is called "selapar" it comes in clear or white.

[tomtom]

Re: Fabric stiffener

we used selopar at college when we made stiffened lampshades. its a little fiddly, like a large sheet of sticky back plastic!! we ordered from a lampshade shop who also sold new wire frames. gave a very good finish.

[Schuhby]

Re: Fabric stiffener

I've made a lampshade! Bought the necessary fabric laminate from Fred Aldous and made my first sample.. This will now be another item I will offer using designer fabric remnants..

Each shade took about 1 hour to make.

[attachment=0:rvgxtj3e]lamp2.jpg[/attachment:rvgxtj3e]
[attachment=1:rvgxtj3e]lamp1.jpg[/attachment:rvgxtj3e]

[nic]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Very retro. Fun, isn't it.

Fred Aldous is brilliant, I love it. It's the only place I've found seagrass, just need to order some and remember how to use it, and I'll have another footstool to put piles of stuff on. An oblong oak one, found on the street. Students throw away amazing stuff, my neighbour has a G-plan coffee table that had been put out for the dustman.

[Louise]

Re: Fabric stiffener

They look great - was it easy? What did you use to glue the stiffened fabric to the frame? Did you get the frames from the same place as the stiffener?

[crackerkelly]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Hi Philip,

Hope you had a nice holiday and welcome back. Those shades are absoluely fabulous I'd love to be able to make one. Any chance of you filming yourself when you make your next one Do they work out expensive

Ursula

[Schuhby]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Making the shades was extremely straight forward actually and not at all expensive. The drum shade cost around £4.50 to make plus the fabric and took around an hour. The cone shaped shade was recycled from a frame I bought for 99p in a charity shop. I wrapped double sided tape around the utility ring and rolled the ring like a wheel, picking up the shade fabric as I went. You then tuck the excess fabric at the top and bottom under the ring and it's a simple as that!

Custom made drum shades are being sold on ebay in designer fabrics for up to £35 each! Another use for those remnants we all have kicking around.

I'll do a step by step next time I make one..

[attachment=0:1cgn9n0u]lamp3.jpg[/attachment:1cgn9n0u]

[crackerkelly]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Thanks Philip for all that info....I can't wait.
Ursula

[Louise]

Re: Fabric stiffener

A new site has come online with a good selection of lampshade making materials (I'm sure it wasn't here a few weeks ago when Schuhby first asked about the stiffener for shades.......?) needcraft

They have various stiffeners, glues, sticky tapes, trims and shade rings in the online shop.

[kathy]

Re: Fabric stiffener

Philip

That looks great well done! very impressive.

You made it sound very easy.

Kathy