Bell Lampshade Complete Restore, Recover

This shade looks like a simple repair, but actually, the arc of the shade can be difficult, but not as troublesome as the aluminum lampshade frame! The liner of this lampshade was completely intact, but the cover was falling apart panel by panel.  Most unusual.

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Bell Lampshade Restored with Ivory Silk

 

The lampshade wire was aluminum, which I thought was a good thing as it would not rust.  I waxed the wire and let it sit overnight.  I wrapped the top and bottom wire with twill wrap, but did not wrap the vertical wires.

I made the new cover from ivory charmeuse silk and fit the cover to the frame.  I looked on the inside of the shade and there were black wire marks on the inside of the fabric from the vertical wires.  I pulled the cover off and wiped the wires.  A black residue was coming off the wire.  I re-waxed the wire and let it sit overnight a second time.

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Wrapped Aluminum Wire Lampshade

 

After several attempts to ward off this problem, I wrapped the vertical wires with wrap.  I am sure the aluminum frame caused the original cover to fall apart by the panel (supported by the aluminum wire frame).

Each shade is a learning experience!

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