Part 3, Adding Trim

When the fabric sections are completely dry, you can add the trim.

Supplies:

• 1/2" inch bias tape  (video tutorials for making bias tape are at the end of the post)

or

• Drapery Trim of your choice

The amount will vary depending on the size of your lamp.
Remember the tape pieces I removed from the ribs and top and bottom of my lamp?  I measured those to get an estimate for the trim amount.  I added about 8-inches more to that measure so that I plenty.

First cut the longest piece of trim which will be the bottom ring piece.  Then cut the next longest piece for the top ring.  Last, cut enough pieces of trim to cover each rib in your shade.  (I needed 6 vertical pieces as my shade had 6 sections). 

Start with the vertical rib pieces. 

1. Put a glue line down the rib on the fabric shade.
2. Lay your trim (or bias tape in my case) upside down and run a glue line along the back.  I made two lines of glue along the back of both of my tape edges.
3. Starting at the top, lay the trim carefully over the fabric and the rib line.  When you are sure you have it positioned evenly, press down on the trim and smooth any bubbles.  Wipe away any excess glue.
4. Repeat for the remaining ribs and let them dry for about 1/2 hour or 30 minutes.
5. Run a glue line along the top ring.  Put glue on the back of the trim as you did for the ribs.  Starting at the back of the shade, press the trim evenly just over the hem and smooth around the ring.  When you get to the end, turn the end under and form a hem (finished edge).  Press this over the beginning of the trim, covering the starting raw edge.
6. Let dry.  Clip with a wooden clothespin or bull-dog clamp if needed while it dries.
7. Repeat with the bottom edge, gluing, smoothing, and turning the end under as you did the top ring.

As always, remove any oozing glue with a damp cloth.
Let thoroughly dry before using.
I purchased a crystal finial to top the shade off.  I am pleased with the result.  It's a little whimsical; just like the lamp.  Not too bad for the price.
This lamp is not staying here on the dining room sideboard (it's going in one of the country bedrooms) but it is giving me some inspiration.  I have a few more dark corners.

Tips and Techniques:

• Pull the bias tape a bit as you go around the bottom and top edges of the shade for a flatter, smoother curve line.  The main reason to use bias tape is that it goes around curves well.
• Wipe away any glue that seeps out from under the fabric and trim before it dries. 

Be patient and don't be afraid to lift and/or reposition your fabric and trim until you get it straight and flat.  Your finished shade will look so much better for it.

Here are two different methods for making bias tape.  There are other methods as well so us any method that you like or are comfortable with.