| Whipstitch Lampshade |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-303 |
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Q: My twin boys love anything with a western theme. Can you help me come up with some ideas for accessories for their room? A: (Debbie Stapley, Ask DIY crafts expert) I think I have a great idea that will help. There are so many great things you can use: rope, horseshoes, bandannas and other easy-to-find items. What we'll do today is decorate a lampshade in a western theme, using whipstitching. Here's how: Materials: Lampshade (light color)
Paper hole punch
Leather laces (bought in spools at a craft store -- rope or twine is optional)
Acetate color-copied photos of your choice (with a western theme)
Pencil
Awl (a pointed tool used for making holes)
- Using the hole punch, create a design of holes in the top and bottom of the lampshade. Make several holes across each side of the lampshade (figure A).
- To whipstitch the lampshade with leather, twine or rope, simply insert through the first hole on the top of the shade and crisscross back and forth through each hole until you come back to where you started. At this point, tie a knot in the lacing material (figure B).
Note: You don't need to glue the lacing material to the lampshade. A tight knot will suffice. - Repeat Step 2 for the bottom holes on the lampshade.
- To place the photos on each side of the lampshade, first center the photo and use a pencil to make a couple of marks on each corner (figure C). Stapley suggests making the marks 3/4" from each corner.
Note: Any photocopy store can copy your color western-theme photos onto acetate paper for you. The reason acetate works best is because the photo is more transparent, which means with the light on, the photo has a see-through effect. - Using an awl, poke holes where the marks were drawn. Be sure to create a nice round hole, big enough for the lacing material to go through. Be Smart: Be careful when using an awl. Make sure those fingers are out of the way on the other side of the lampshade!
- To create the four leather photo-holder loops, run a small piece of leather, rope or twine through the two holes on each corner (figure D), then tie a square knot and trim the ends off.
- Arrange the acetate color photos in the four leather knots on each side, which will keep them securely in place.
More Questions for Debbie:
Q: I would like to paint some of the tiles in my bathroom. Is there a special paint I need to use?
A: Yes, there are several different brands of special paints designed for tile and glass. Go to your craft store and ask about these specialty paints.
Q: I have wood floors that I'd like to stencil. Can you tell me how to do this properly?
A: I do have a suggestion. I love the look of stenciled floors, but 10 or 20 years from now you may not like them. In case this happens, I would stencil over a surface that has been treated with polyurethane. When you finish the stenciling, treat the floor with two or three more coats of polyurethane to protect the work.
Q: How can I tell if a flea-market find is solid wood or wood veneer?
A: You have to inspect it closely. Look for any seams in the veneer. Look at the top and how it comes down the side of the piece. Is it one solid piece? If it's veneer, it will have a separate piece on top and another separate veneered piece on the side. It's usually pretty easy to detect.
RESOURCES :
ITT Technical Institute
Special thanks to the ITT Technical Institute for providing the personnel for the Ask DIY Web site video.
ITT Technical Institute
Website: www.itt-tech.edu/
The Paper Shade Book: Simple Techniques for Making Beautiful Lampshades
Model: 1564967530
Author: Maryellen Driscoll
(April, 2001)
Rockport Publishers
Designs for Lamps II: Patterns for 22 Small to Medium Shades
Model: 0919985238
Author: Charles Knapp
Wardell Publications, Inc.
December, 1998
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