Vintage lamps carry so much character and are not comparable to most of today's modern lighting. Their weight, such as that of a beautiful quality weighted lamp bases, and the stitching of the hand-covered shade all reflect the quality of the earlier craftsmanship. If you are holding onto a lamp, whether it was handed down from a family member or found at an antique auction or weekend flea market, then learn how to restore the traditional lampshades with the How to Restore Traditional Style Lampshades Video from LampShadeLady.
This 65-minute video is specifically designed for the beginner and teaches them how to fully restore a traditional styled lampshade. All that is required is that you know how to sew and have the willingness to recondition the lampshade to its original beauty. The video is available for purchase on DVD or Digital Download.
What the Video Covers
The LampShadeLady has put together this in-depth video tutorial to teach lamp making in an easy to follow format. The tutorial does not assume a great deal of prior experience in a craft or art field. The video is a step by step guide, with clear instruction and for those who learn by doing, there are lots of demonstrations too. This tutorial covers the following:
The video covers Restoring Traditional Style Lampshades of various classic shapes, including stretch linings and pattern making, choosing the right fabric, and a detailed guide on how to remove rust from both the lamp base and the shade frame.
How to Restore Soft Bell, Drum, Oriental, and Campo di Monte Lampshade Styles
This video teaches the 4 most common types of lampshades that are found on Traditional Style Lamps. These types of lampshades are commonly found on vintage and estate sales items. The 4 types of lampshades taught in this video are: Soft Bell, Drum, Oriental and Campo di Monte.
Soft Bell – These beautiful shades have a soft gentle curve to them and a wide lower edge. To restore these to their original beauty it is very important to keep the shape of the shade as it was originally made. To achieve this it is important to ensure that the fabric is tight enough and that the edges are left clean. In this video we will also explain the process of seaming these type of shades and how to prevent puckering of the fabric.
Drum — This is a straight up and down shade with no curves to hide any imperfections. Because of this, the fabric must be aligned perfectly and the tension on the panels must be exact. This video will go through step by step how to measure, cut and apply the fabric to a drum style shade so that when completed every seam will look perfect from every angle with no wrinkles or uneven seams.
Oriental shades — These shades feature angled panels that are wider than average. Because of the wide ribs and sharp corners of these shades, special attention must be given to these areas during restoration. The video will explain how to work with these unique features, and how to cover the ribs and corners with the appropriate materials. It will also show how to handle the fabric at the ribs, and at the corners of these unusual shapes. In addition, information will be provided as to the proper selection of materials to use in order to create a truly traditional looking Oriental shade.
Campo di Monte — These lamps have a very specific shape to them — a rather structured empire form. In this video we’ll go over the steps to properly clean the old dust from the ribs and then cover with the proper fabric, as well as show you how to properly apply existing trim or replace it if needed to give the shade a proper, original look.
Stretch Linings and Pattern Making
The video also covers stretch linings and pattern making. As The LampShadeLady says getting the lining of a traditional shade right is crucial to a restoration looking professional and not amateur. She demonstrates how to make up patterns for individual shades, how to use stretch linings that fit curved shapes without creasing and how the inside of the shade can be completed to look as good as the outside.
For odd shapes this section is especially useful as standard pattern making templates are not generally used for making linings for such objects.
Fabric Suggestions for Traditional Lampshade Restoration
Lampshades are made from different types of fabrics. This video will show you what types of fabrics work better for different styles of shades, how different weights and weaves of fabrics give different looks to the shade, and things to avoid when choosing a fabric so that it does not sag, tear or cause the light not to be diffused evenly.
Whether you’re restoring a lamp to its original glory or choosing a fabric for a new lamp that will last for years to come, this video will give you the knowledge you need to choose the right fabric for your project before you start.
How to Remove Rust from Your Lamp and Lampshade Frame
In the video segment on how to remove rust from your lamp and lampshade the The LampShadeLady is addressing one of the most common problems in lamp restorations and one of the biggest mistakes made when covering a lamp. Most people are not aware that just because you have washed and dried a lamp out that the rust has gone. However, unless treated the rust will work its way under the covering of the lamp and with time weaken the structure of the wire frame of the lamp. The worst part of this is that the rust will seep through from the inside of the lamp to the outside of the covering of the lamp.
She covers how to determine the extent of rust on a lamp frame, reviews several products and tools for removing rust from a wire lamp frame, as well as how to remove the rust from the lamp frame so that it won’t return once the shade is re-covered with new fabric. She also covers how to use fine-grit sandpaper to remove any pitting from the surface of the wire frame, to allow for a smooth finish and best attachment of new fabric.
This section is worth having the video for alone. Most antique lamps develop some degree of oxidation on the wire frame due to the heat and humidity from the lamp and covering.
Who This Video Is For
This video is for the beginner so if you have basic sewing skills then you will be able to follow along with this video. An Interior Designer using vintage pieces, someone trying to repair family heirlooms or someone who already has experience in sewing and working with textiles will find this video easy to follow and very applicable.
The How to Restore Traditional Style Lampshades Video is available to purchase as a Digital Download or on DVD. As always, LampShadeLady is offering her special multi-DVD discounts. For 15% off (2 DVDs for the price of 1.7) purchase any 2 DVDs. For 20% off (3 DVDs for the price of 2.4) purchase any 3 DVDs. This is a great way to purchase additional instructional DVDs to learn about making lampshades.
FAQs
1. Do I need prior lampshade-making experience to follow this video?
No. The video is designed specifically for beginners. Basic sewing skills are all that is required. The LampShadeLady explains each step clearly with close-up demonstrations so you can follow along regardless of your experience level.
2. What lampshade styles are covered in the video?
The video covers how to restore soft bell, drum, oriental, and Campo di Monte lampshade styles in all shapes and sizes — four of the most common Traditional Style Lampshades found in vintage and antique collections.
3. Is the video available as a digital download or only on DVD?
Both options are available. You can purchase the How to Restore Traditional Style Lampshades Video as a DVD or as a Digital Download, whichever suits your setup best.
4. How long is the video?
The runtime is 65 minutes. It is a full instructional session covering restoration techniques, rust removal, stretch linings, pattern making, and fabric selection.
5. Does the video cover how to remove rust from a lamp frame?
Yes. There is a dedicated segment on how to remove rust from your lamp and lampshade frame. It covers assessment, treatment products, rust neutralization, and surface preparation before re-covering.
6. What materials do I need before starting a restoration project?
You will typically need restoration fabric appropriate to your shade style, lampshade tape or bias binding, fabric scissors, straight pins, and a lampshade-compatible adhesive. For rust treatment, you will need a rust converter or remover, fine steel wool or sandpaper, and a sealant. The video includes fabric suggestions and product guidance.
7. Can this video help me restore an irregularly shaped or unusual vintage shade?
Yes. The pattern-making section specifically addresses how to create custom patterns for shades that do not conform to standard templates. The stretch lining instruction also accommodates varied frame geometries.
8. Is there a discount if I purchase multiple DVDs?
Yes. LampShadeLady offers 15% off when you buy any 2 DVDs and 20% off when you buy any 3 DVDs. Note that this cannot be combined with other promotional offers.
9. Will the video teach me how to select the right fabric for my shade?
Yes. There is a dedicated fabric suggestions section that covers which materials work well for each Traditional Style Lampshade silhouette, how fabric weight and weave affect the result, and what to avoid for a clean, long-lasting finish.
10. Where can I purchase the video?
The video is available directly from LampShadeLady at lampshadelady.com/products/how-to-restore-traditional-style-lampshades. Both DVD and Digital Download formats are available on the product page.