Just had a bit of a chuckle to myself looking at some of Captain Haddock's insults and exclamations from Tintin (I don't usually spend my spare time doing that, maybe I should, I was just looking for an interesting title for this blog post!) Well, this is a Tintin lampshade I made yesterday for a… Continue reading Billions of bilious barbecued blue blistering barnacles!
Tag: hand-made
My Nan’s thimble…
When I first learnt how to make hand-stitched lampshades I was told, "You really should use a thimble - and one day you'll wonder how you managed without one". Well, I found them really uncomfortable at first; they made sewing feel really awkward. But now I fret if I can't find my Nan's old thimble… Continue reading My Nan’s thimble…
It’s cold outside…
In fact it's so horrible and cold I haven't been out all day (which is very unlike me!) Ah well, at least this spell of hibernation means I have finally started stitching a lampshade I've been meaning to make for ages. I bought the fabric a few months ago and have just ordered some bright… Continue reading It’s cold outside…
Not on the high street…
I love lined drum lampshades. They just look so neat, professional and finished with no hint of PVC showing. Not only that, they also look beautiful when lit as the pattern on the inside shines through faintly. It takes a little more time and patience to make them but well worth it in the end.… Continue reading Not on the high street…
Lampshade restoration – before, during and the end result…
I finished restoring my big empire lampshade today and I thought I'd put some photos on here to show the before - when it was a really tired, ugly lampshade I discovered in the back room of a local antique shop. To during - from binding the rings and struts to pinning the fabric to… Continue reading Lampshade restoration – before, during and the end result…
A labour of love lampshade…
This lampshade was most definitely a labour of love. Now it's complete I love it, but making it wasn't an easy experience... but then the reward when I finished it was great! When you know what you're doing these hand-stitched lampshades aren't actually as difficult to make as you'd think but when you don't know… Continue reading A labour of love lampshade…
Streetly stitch? Never heard of it!…
Well, I hadn't until ten days ago. It's a stitch used a lot in making hand-stitched lampshades and now I have finished making my first one, I can (almost) streetly stitch like a pro! I attended the second day of the bespoke lampshade course at Homemade London on Sunday and I have only just recovered.… Continue reading Streetly stitch? Never heard of it!…
Handmade little present…
I decided to make an egg cosy for a little girl's birthday present this week. Okay so it's not the latest expensive girly toy but it's hand-made, personalised and I had fun making it while the boys played with their friends... It's good practice for next week too, when I'm planning on machine embroidering my… Continue reading Handmade little present…