The making of our swishy shades

There’s something really lovely about knowing an item has been made just for you, don’t you agree? Well, that’s exactly what you get when you order a lampshade from us! Every single shade is made to order to our customers’ exact requirements (there’s no mass production here), using time-honoured methods of hand-binding and stitching.


We’re traditionalists at heart, and we take great pride in our craft. It’s a value that was instilled in our master maker Liam (aka ‘Tinker’) from a young age, as he watched over the shoulder of his seamstress mum, mesmerised by her ability to make something beautiful with her hands.

Here's what happens behind the scenes for each and every lampshade we make...

  • The Design

    Our inspiration can come from anywhere – fashion, trends, a certain colour, history, or simply a fabulous fabric we just can't stop thinking about!

  • The frames

    We work with a talented local frame-maker who moulds them in copper wire, then powder-coats them white. We offer a variety of frame shapes and sizes, and can also help you design bespoke frames for that super-special project.

  • Binding the frame

    The first step towards transforming the frame into a beautiful shade is to securely bind it with cotton – a time-consuming and meticulous process that results in very achy hands! But it has to be done properly, because this is ultimately the foundation for our outer fabric.

  • Cutting the template

    Next, we cut out a template of the frame. This template is called the pattern, and it helps us determine the exact size we need our outer fabric to be. Each shade is made up of four panels of fabric.

  • Joining the fabric

    Using the pattern, we cut our chosen fabric in panels of the correct size, before sewing them together on our trusty sewing machine.

  • Stitch by stitch

    We stitch the fabric to the frame using ‘lampshade stitch’ – a commonly used stitch among traditional shade-makers – to secure the outer fabric to the binding. We also add a lining for a premium finish.

  • The finishing touches!

    Finally, it’s time to complete the shade with braid and swishy fringing! It’s a really fun part of the process, as we have so many options to choose from, and there are endless combinations – it’s a bit like accessorising an outfit! We can always accommodate requests for bespoke colours, so do get in touch if you have something specific in mind.

  • Zebra print & purple lampshade

    Et voilà, your Tinker & Tallulah lampshade is complete!

    To get your very own lampshade, browse our collection here.

    For a bespoke design, learn more here.

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