Although this technique for making tassels is quite common, and really easy, I didn't include it in the book, because I had absolutely no luck making tassels of the type one would use on a lampshade by this method. Every kind of thread I tried either clumped together, frayed, or was too thin. Then I discovered Pearl Crown Rayon (see YLI under Embellishment Supplies), which looks almost exactly like the heavy rayon fringe, and comes in gorgeous colors.

I came across an article on how to make shell ruching, and soon after discovered there are various kinds of ruching, all of which I was familiar with, I just didn't realize this was the correct name for the technique. What I call double-edged ruffles in the book should be called single ruching. This eight-page supplement includes instructions on how to make four kinds of ruching, along with more on making ruffles.

While rayon binding looks quite nice, even on the fanciest shades, a bias-cut-silk binding adds a lovely touch to shades you're charging big bucks for, giving as a special gift, or keeping for yourself. Unfortunately, cutting silk on the bias can be tedious. I was most pleased when I found sources for bias-cut silk strips suitable for binding, as well as for making trim (see Embellishment Supplies - Trim, Binding, & Ruching). While using a pre-cut silk binding does add to the cost, it also bumps the shade up a notch or two on the gorgeous scale. This supplement includes how-tos for using silk binding, and more on cutting bias strips.