Dresden Lampshade Tutorial

How to Make a Lampshade using a Dresden Ruler.

I mentioned in my last post about the Salt Lake City Modern Quilt Guild's Dresden Quilting Challenge.  I was asked by the SLMQG to come up with something unique using the Dresden Ruler as a part of the Blog Hop and to kick of the Dresden Challenge.  I have come up with a tutorial on how to make a lampshade (to match the cute quilt you hopefully are going to make using the Dresden Ruler for the Challenge!)

1.  Start by cutting 26 pieces of fabric leaving at least 1/4"-1/2" extra fabric on each side of the Dresden Ruler.  13 pieces will be used for the outside of the lampshade and 13 for the inside.  (This is a great way to use up extra scrap fabric.)

2.  Lay out the fabrics in the order that you'd like them to be in.

3.  Cut 13 pieces of Pellon Peltex 72F Double-Sided Fusible Ultra Firm Stabilizer.  I bought a yard of this at Joann Fabrics and this was more than enough.  Cut these pieces 1/4" - 1/2" larger than the Ruler just as you cut the scrap fabric pieces.

4.  Lay your first 'outside' fabric piece face down on your ironing board, right-side down.  (I apologize in advance for the condition of my ironing board cover.  I thought twice about even mentioning it, because I didn't want to draw extra added attention to it, but I just couldn't go without a quick apology!)

5.  Set a piece of Pellon Peltex on top of the "outside piece."

6.  Lay the first "inside" piece on top of the Pellon Peltex right-side up.

7.  Follow the instructions that came with the Peltex on how to attach it to the fabric.  Here I am using a damp press cloth (AKA...a SHAM WOW!) :)

8.  After I used the damp press cloth on both sides for 10 seconds, I then removed the cloth and pressed both sides directly with the iron.

9.  After you have attached all fabric pieces to the Peltex, it is time to trim up each piece using the Dresden Ruler.  Set the Ruler in the middle of the fabric sandwich making sure the back piece is centered with the Ruler as well and trim around the Ruler using a rotary cutter.

10.  After trimming, you should have 13 beauties, just like this.

12.  Now it's time to sew!  Place the first two pieces together side-by-side and zig-zag stitch them together.  I started at what will be the bottom of the lampshade and sewed toward the top. (Large end of the Dresden to the thin end).

Connect 6 of the sandwich pieces together and then in a separate group connect the other 7.  

Having 2 separate groups will make this more manageable for the Step 14.

13.  Set your Stitch Length to 0mm & your Stitch Width to 4.5mm.

Step 14.  Sew over the zig-zag stitch using your new length/width adjustments.  Go slowly and you may also need to pull the fabric through a bit more than normal.  If you want this seam line to look really solid, you can go over it a 2nd time.  Just an FYI, this uses a TON of thread!

Step 15.  Keep in mind, your bobbin thread will show so choose your colors appropriately.

Step 16.  Connect the first group of 6 to the second group of 7 in the same fashion as above.

Step 17.  Using the same Stitch as in Step 14, stitch around the bottom of the lampshade.

Step 18.  If you'd like, choose a fun little ribbon, pom pom, or rick rack to add to the bottom of the lampshade.

Step 19.  Connect the ribbon to the bottom. 

Step 20.  Now for the fun part.  Head on over to your local Goodwill Store and look for a lampshade that has a 4" center.  I took my lampshade with me to find one that had the same size center.  I got this one for $1.50, on sale, baby!!!  

Remove the fabric from the extra lampshade leaving just the metal frame.  This metal part probably has a name, but I have no clue what it is.  (I went to the hardware store & a lamp store to buy this part and neither sold it.)

Step 21.  Set the metal frame into the middle of the lampshade with the metal circle resting on the outside of top of the lampshade.

Step 22.  Cut a piece of fabric 2 1/2" x 20" on the bias (diagonal from the bottom of one selvage side to the top of the other).  Fold in half lengthwise and press, creating binding for the top of the lampshade.

Pin this binding into the middle of the top of the lampshade with the folded part of the binding hanging down in the middle and the open end of the binding pinned onto the top of the lampshade.  

Step 23.  Stitch around the entire top starting on the inside about 1/4" down, coming through to the outside 1/4" down, and then up and over the metal frame.  Repeat this all the way around the entire lampshade.  This is what is actually holding the lampshade to the metal frame.

Step 24.  Pull the binding from the inside over the metal frame to the outside.  Blind stitch the edge of the binding to the outside of the lampshade.

Step 25.  Find a cute base for your lampshade and there ya have it!

If you'd like a chance to win one of these SUPER Cool Dresden Rulers, leave a comment for me on something fun you plan to do this summer (kids activity ideas are definitely needed here!!!).  I will be selecting the winner by Random Generator on Friday at 9pm EST.

Now, hope on over to Leigh's blog at Leedle Deedle Quilts for another idea of what to make with your Dresden Ruler and another chance to win a free Ruler.

The Blog Hop Continues.....

June 6

Amy: amyscreativeside.com/

Elisa www.stitchoutsidetheditch.com/

June 7

Katie: www.swimbikequilt.com/

Emily: emsscrapbag.blogspot.com/

June 8

Melissa: happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/

Brooke: pitterputterstitch.blogspot.com/

June 9

Nicole: mamalovequilts.blogspot.com/

Amy sukie.mt-wudan.com/

June 10

Elizabeth: www.dontcallmebetsy.com/

Colleen: www.thebusybean.com/

June 11

Faith: www.freshlemonsquilts.com/

Deonn: quiltscapesquilting.blogspot.com/

June 12

Angela: angelaflicker.com/

Barbie: thequiltingmill.blogspot.com

June 13

Amy: www.diaryofaquilter.com/

June 14

Jessica: sewcraftyjess.blogspot.com/

June 15

Salt Lake MQG: Wrap-up www.slmqg.com/

Thanks so much to the incredible Sponsors for making this Challenge so special!

                   

xoxo

~Val~