WRAPPED WIRES

AND PRECISELY WHAT THIS MEANS

As stated earlier in the Construction Features page, I prefer to wrap lampshade wires to provide a good surface on which to stitch the fabric, as well as eliminate the possibility of the wires rusting onto the fabrics of the shade.  I am not in favor of painting wires because I believe the paint may chip in time, and I prefer the finishing touch of either wrapped wires or unexposed wires.  All of my shades would be classified in either section below, for purposes of wrapped-wire criteria:

Victorian Style Shades

These frames generally have a variety of shapes to their wires and need to be constructed in a different manner than standard frames (i.e., with the wires exposed, rather than hidden between two layers of fabric). 

While a lining on a Victorian shade can be constructed in the same way as a jacket lining, for instance, it is very difficult.  Therefore, all the wires are wrapped in a decorative ribbon that compliments the lining or outer fabric. 

The top and bottom bands, and centerpiece wires, are first wrapped with cotton twill tape, which gives a stronger padding to stitch to.

 

Traditional Style Shades

These frames are the styles we are most accustomed to seeing, usually covered with fabric, and have side ribs.  Many shades that are covered with paper and only a top and bottom band, do not have side ribs, and are not coverable by my method.   Traditional shades usually consist of such shapes as round, square, bell, rectangular, etc., with a simpler design than Victorian shades. 

Almost always the side wires (or ribs) are unexposed, nestled between the lining and the outer fabric.  To ensure that these wires never rust onto the fabric, there are two methods of treating these side wires:  (1) cover them with cotton twill tape; and (2) not covering them, but applying a self-fabric or decorative trim on the outer fabric, over the ribs.  This method also helps to keep the shade from being soiled on these "dirt-attracted" areas of the shade. 

Top and bottom bands are wrapped with cotton twill tape to afford a good sewing surface.  Wires on Traditional shades are not wrapped with decorative ribbon, as in the case of the Victorian styles, simply because they are not visible upon completion.