A PLEATED FABRIC SHADE
Measure the circumference of the bottom ring on the shade and multiply by to
give a slight fullness. Measure the height of the frame along one of the
struts. Cut a rectangle of fabric to these measurements, adding 2 cm (i in)
turnings all around. Cut strips of binding fabric as for the stiffened shade.
Join the ends of the fabric with a 2 cm (i in) seam; trim and neaten the seam
allowances and press open.
Working from the wrong side
of the fabric, make a line of gathering stitches all around the top and lower
edge of the fabric, picking up only a couple of threads of fabric and spacing
the stitches. The exact spacing depends on the weight of the fabric and the
amount of fullness that has to be taken in around the top ring. Divide the
fabric into four equal sections and mark these points at the top and bottom.
Slip the fabric over the frame, and hold in place with clothes pegs positioned
so they are equally spaced around the frame.
Draw up the gathering threads so that
the fabric fits around the frame and neatly arrange the pleats that form,
pressing them all in the same direction with your fingers. Pin the pleats to
the taped frame, then oversaw the shade in place all around the top and bottom
rings. Trim away the fabric close to the stitching, then stitch the binding
over the rings and stitch in place by hand or glue over the rings.
