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05/03/2013

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Diana Peduzzi

Judy you always advise to use only fabric that is mostly cotton. I recently tried to use a client's material and it was a total fail, it stuck to the styrene and frame ok but trimming was impossible. Waste of time and of course I couldn't charge for it! Also, I sometimes use craft store grosgrain trim by backing it with the sticky bias trim tape in a slightly thinner width. Otherwise the glue comes right through.

judy lake

True enough Diana! How frustrating. In that situation I might try a heavier duty glue for upholstery. Yucky thick but good stick. OR use a different fabric for the trims that blends in or grosgrain.

Believe me I've been in your footsteps on that project...terribly frustrating. I can now often spot the fabrics that won't glue up....or test them when the client is in the shop if I am unsure. As much as I dislike glue guns... they can be a solution sometimes, but messy, messy.
judy

Ruth Burns

My rough-housing sons broke the "plastic" liner in one of 2 beautiful, expensive table lampshades. The pleated coolee-shape ivory shade, spider-type, is intact; impossible to duplicate by buying new. Can I somehow reline the shade with new styrene/paper/whatever without taking the whole thing apart? I'm new to this but willing if you think it's possible. Lampshop website confused me regarding which liner to use. Your comment would be greatly appreciated.

judy lake

Hi Ruth,
This is a good question that I don't have the answer for. Perhaps you could have a lampshade maker slip a cone of styrene the same size as your shade inside the pleating. I honestly don't now if it will work, but might be worth a try. Or if you are clever you could by the arc (the pattern- from the lampshop) and enough styrene that is not pressure sensitive, cut it out, glue the back seam together then slip it inside your shade and using a craft glue, tack it in spot around top and bottom. I'd make it 1/2 inch shorter, at least that original, maybe one inch shorter- so order pattern, ie arc 1/2 shorter.

This may end up being more costly than new shades... good luck, actually think this may work. maybe there is a lampshade maker near you that could help out.
xo
judy

Angela Lee

May I know where I can order styrene online?

judy lake

You can purchase it at The Lamp Shop
http://www.lampshop.com

I have also seen someone sell it on Etsy.

thanks
judy lake

Emma

Hi Judy, I have been making lamp shades at home for only a short time but i seem to have a re-occurring problem with the area where the styro and the tape meet and wrap around the ring. I cannot seem to get a smooth rounded look to the area where the curve of the ring is. Either the edge of the styro creates a sharp edge or if i try to place the ring as high as possible into the tape the fabric gathers in a fold and looks terrible. I'm very frustrated and can't seem to work out what i am doing wrong. Is my template/pattern slightly crooked? Is the fabric I am using too thin?? Am i not placing the tape close enough to the edge of the styro when i tape it up?? I wish i could attach a photo here to show you what I mean, but i am hoping you are able to understand what i am describing. Many thanks, Emma

judy lake

Hi Emma,
Why don't you send me a photo. Here is my email
judylake@vermontel

this will be easier.
thanks
judy

Rachel Graham

Hi Judy, can you tell me the best material to use for lining lampshades please? I recover lampshades but have never needed to line them untill now - client is requesting it lined and I don't know the best fabric to use. Your advice wouyld be most appreciated.
Many Thanks
Rachel

judy lake

Hi Rachel,
I make hard back shades laminating fabric to pressure sensitive styrene. I think maybe you are making soft shades, ie sewn? I am not experienced with silk shades; I appreciate how lovely they are but most of my vintage fabric needs to be laminated to survive the heat of light bulb.
thanks
judy

Raul BLandon

Hi, i need to know if i can buy with you, pressure sensitive styrene, please confirm if you have it in roll, thanks

judy lake

Hi Raul,
The Lamp Shop.com is the best place to by styrene by the yard. If you are a business and want more than 25 yds try Artistic Bias Products.

Sharon killpack

What is the plastic type material that is pre pasted for material tobe added... I want that plstic

niamh

Hi,

I want to recover an old lampshade but want to use a fabric other then rayon. Can i use any fabrics Or are there any fabrics that can replace rayon? Please help :)

judy lake

Hi From 2/11/16,
I make HARD BACK Lampshades - I laminate fabric onto pressure sensitive styrene. I have found it is usually best to use cotton or linen for best lamination.

If you are sewing lampshades- rayon or silk may be the best option. I do not do any sewing of shades in my shop as I use vintage fabrics. They would not hold up to the heat and strength over time.
thanks
judy

judy lake

Hi Sharon, sorry, I missed you--- pressure sensitive styrene is the sticky plastic backing.
thanks,
judy lake

Irene Peterson

My lampshade is broken. I've saved both top & bottom rings. What tape do I use to cover them before making shade form.

Thank you, Irene

Stacy

Hello,
I want to make a lampshade out of leather. What would you put on the inside? would you use the styrene that you could glue it to or maybe hand lace it to? Or would you use something else, any help at all would be so apprecicaed. THANK you so much!
Stacy

judy lake

I don't usually cover the rings before making the shade. That technique is usually reserved for sewn shades.
Hope that helps.
judy

judy lake

Hi Stacy,
I have not used leather but would guess the lacing method would be used.
Judy

Suzi Mckenzie

What fabrics are best used on lampshades? I am wanting to recover some for the kids rooms?

judy lake

Hi Suzi,
Cottons and linens work best for hard back shades. I like using vintage fabrics as they laminate very well and have so much character.

Angie

Hi Judy,
I hope you still check these messages! I am planning my first attempt at making a lampshade for a refurbished chandelier. I want to make a white linen drum shade 9 inches tall and 24 inches in diameter. From what I understand to determine how much styrene I will need I need to figure out the circumference by taking the 24 " and multiplying by pi and adding 1 inch for the seam..but when I do this that gives me 76.36 inches of styrene needed! Does that look correct to you? Do i really need that much styrene? That's getting really expensive! Thanks in advance for your advice

Judy Lake

Hi Angie,
That is correct on the measurement. Here's what I would do- You will have extra styrene to make more drum shades as your shade is only 9" high. I suggest starting with a few smaller shades to get the hang of handling the materials. 12x12x9 is a good size or 14x14x9 are both good starting spots. And before you know it it's not as expensive. If you happen to be up in VT you can buy it from my shop and not have to pay the shipping. good luck, 24" is super tricky to start with. Just darn awkward to hold. Get LOTS of sturdy clothes pins. xo judy

Manasa Seshadri

Is satin a safe material for a lampshade ? My instinct says no, but wanted to hear from your experience..

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