Soutache Lampshade

Cut an 8 x 8cm (3¼ x 3¼in) square of Alcantara. Cut eight 30cm (11¾in) lengths of cord, two in each colour. Spread a layer of glue on the back of the cabochon, and press it firmly to the Alcantara.
Make two small marks on the Alcantara at the centre top and bottom of the cabochon to mark its position. Place the dark green cord at one mark leaving 10cm (4in) hanging. Begin to sew the cord around the cabochon close to its edge, entering and exiting the cord and the Alcantara. Sew the cord around to the second mark. Repeat the process on the other side.
Layer the other three light green, cream and magenta cords alongside the cord you have just sewn. Pass the needle through the Alcantara and cords to the front of the piece and secure the three cords next to the first one. Pass the needle to the back of the piece through the Alcantara.
Repeat these two steps for half the circumference. Take the thread to the back of the Alcantara, move to the other side of the cabochon and continue in the same way to attach the other three cords on the other side of the cabochon (inset).
After sewing, cut off the excess thread and Alcantara.
Sew the cords together at both ends of the cabochon with a few stitches (inset).
Divide the cords into two groups, curve one set away from the base of the cabochon and stitch. Sew a crystal to the cords, ensuring that no kinks form in the cords during sewing. Go back through the crystal and the cords to secure.
Take the thread to the right of the cabochon and repeat step 5 on the other side.
Make another curve and insert a crystal ball.
Turn the piece around 180 degrees and repeat steps 5 and 6 with the sets of cords at the other end of the cabochon.
Cut a 30cm (11¾in) length of cord in each colour. Layer the cords in the following order, left to right: dark green, light green, cream and magenta. Fold the cords in half so the magenta cord is in the middle.
Sew the centres of the cords together for 2mm (½in). Sew the eight cords together for 2cm (¾in) (inset). You now have the tip of a leaf.
Separate the cords into two groups and place a crystal in the centre. Sew it in place with the cords (inset). Sew the eight cords together for 5mm (½in).
Repeat step 8 to place the second crystal. Continue this process until six crystals have been placed. Finish the piece with two coils containing two more crystals, as shown.
Secure the cords at the back of the piece. Follow steps 7 and 8 to make a second, identical piece.
Cut four 25cm (9¾in) lengths from each colour cord. Make four further pieces following steps 7, 8 and 9, placing five crystals within the length and one in each final coil.
Cut six pieces of Alcantara and glue them to the back of the pieces over the stitching. Cut six 1cm (½in) pieces of hook and loop fastening and glue them to the back of the long pieces you have made. Position the cabochon on the lampshade and arrange the other pieces around it in a neat pattern.