Tailored Lampshades: A One Day Workshop

Description

A tailored shade is the lampshade classic: a curvaceous shape with a beautifully fitted cover. Variations in shape, size and style are enormous, yet the techniques remain the same. Join lampshade maker, author of best-selling book Sewing Lampshades and teacher Joanna Heptinstall at the Lampshade School for a creative and industrious day concentrating on tailored lampshade making. Joanna will present the core skills in easy stages: restoring and binding an empire frame; creating a template; measuring, cutting and machine sewing; and how to pin, fit, and hand-sew your cover and balloon lining in place. You’ll also learn how to make and fit bias trimming and apply gimp braids. It’s fun and friendly but also industrious and creative, and everyone is taught to a professional standard. Whether you are a beginner to sewing or professional soft furnisher, you will be encouraged develop your creative style and ideas, and take home your own impressive handmade tailored shade and the skills to make many more. In order to make this class possible in one-day, students will be provided with a 10in or 12in empire shade frame, which is an ideal suitable size and shape for learning on. If you have a shade that you would really love to start making as soon as you get home, do bring it along to the class so that Joanna can help you tackle it with confidence. Please bring 1m top fabric. For your first tailored lampshade we recommend a patchworking weight cotton, lightweight linen or silk dupion. Avoid anything bulky or stretchy. 2m gimp braid trimming for the top and bottom edges of your shade frame. While we have all the equipment you need, we find that students like to bring their own scissors, haberdashery kit and even their sewing machine. Please bring a packed lunch. What's included in the price? Tuition, one 10in or 12in lampshade frame, binding tape, specialist threads and lining fabrics, with refreshments provided throughout the day. About the tutor Joanna Heptinstall is a versatile and experienced upholsterer, teacher and maker, with a particular interest in lampshade making. Following the completion of a Fine Arts degree at Sheffield Hallam University and subsequent post-graduate studies in journalism, Joanna worked for several years in magazine publishing before re-training as an upholsterer 26 years ago. She soon developed a love for lampshade restoration, reviving almost-lost skills and writing her best-selling book Sewing Lampshades to share those skills with other makers. Joanna lives in Wiltshire, teaching professional upholstery and lampshade skills in her own school, enjoying making, and walking with her spaniel Nellie. Further details Please select 'Chat with the maker' if you would like to contact Joanna in advance of booking with any queries about fabrics and trimmings, would like recommendations for places to stay. It is possible to arrange this workshop on different dates. Please contact Joanna if this is of interest. Courses are for adults, but younger students may be considered on request.

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Traditional Upholstery School

with Craft Courses since 2023

Message the tutor

The Traditional Upholstery School is based in lovely, roomy workrooms near Bradford on Avon in rural Wiltshire. It offers a range of professional upholstery and lampshade making skills workshops. It was founded by Joanna Heptinstall, author of 'Sewing Lampshades'. Traditional Upholstery School is one of Britain's few training centres delivering AMUSF accredited training.