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Sometimes lampshades cost more than the lamp itself, especially those fancy, high-quality, or artisan-made ones. So why not skip the splurge and make your own?
Our step-by-step guide on how to make a lampshade will help you craft one that perfectly matches your style. We'll cover two approaches: with a kit and without a kit. Making your own lampshade is not only a creative DIY project, but it is also a budget-friendly way to add a one-of-a-kind touch to any space.
Gather some simple materials and tools from around your home, and let’s get crafty!
If you have no frame, don't worry as this tutorial on how to make a lampshade without a kit will truly help you.
1- Materials
2- Tools
Before working with fabric, it's essential to master lampshade parts diagram and understand how to make a lampshade frame first. Grab prepared wire coat hangers, use pliers to untwist them, and straighten them out completely. These will be the frame of your custom lampshade.
First things first, a standard lampshade frame has three key parts:
Next, figure out the diameter of the top and bottom rings. You can use an old lampshade (if any) to draw circles of different sizes on paper to find the perfect fit. Cut out the drawn circles as your templates. For this project, you’ll create an empire or tapered shape with a smaller top ring and a wider bottom ring.
If you're still unsure which diameters for 2 rings will best fit your lamp base and room decor, read our lampshade guide to choose the perfect size and style before cutting anything.
You've got templates, now use them to bend and shape the wire coat hangers into two circles: one for the top frame and one for the bottom frame. Twist the ends together tightly with pliers to hold them in place, then clip any excess wire with a wire cutter to keep everything neat and tidy.
Decide on the height of your lampshade by holding up the top and bottom rings and calculating the distance between them. Make sure the lampshade is tall enough to diffuse light (at least 2 inches above and below the light bulb).
Once you've got the height, cut about 6 pieces of wire from your coat hangers to match this height for making the vertical supports. Remember to add an extra four inches. That extra length will come in handy when you bend and secure the wires around the 2 rings.
Attach each vertical support to the top frame by winding the top 2 inches of each wire around the top ring. Use pliers to secure them tightly. Space those wires evenly around the ring for a neat look. Then, do the same with the bottom ring, locking each vertical support into place.
Once that's done, double-check the spacing between the vertical supports. Measure to ensure they’re evenly spaced, adjusting if necessary to keep your lampshade frame balanced and stable.
Wrap the cotton tape around the top and bottom rings of the frame, applying pressure as you go to keep it securely in place. This creates a solid foundation for your lampshade and provides a reliable surface for attaching the fabric cover and lining later on.
Voilà, you've got your lampshade frame!
A lampshade consists of two fabric components:
To make your pattern, start with a white piece of fabric. Stretch it across half of the frame, ensuring it’s taut. Use a pencil to outline the frame on the fabric. Next, cut out the pattern, carefully cut along the outer vertical lines and the traced lines at the top and bottom, leaving some extra fabric at both ends for later use.
You may wonder why make a pattern on half of the frame. That’s because you’ll need to cut two pieces for both the cover and lining, allowing you to assemble them to fully cover the frame.
Create a pattern for cutting fabric | Source: Chez Maison
Place the pattern you created on the 2 pieces of fabric designated for the cover. Trace the pattern onto the colored fabric using chalk. After tracing, cut out the fabric pieces.
Next, place the fabric pieces face-to-face and sew along the sides so that the seams are on the inside. You can either use a sewing machine or sew by hand, making sure to keep your stitches small for a cleaner finish.
If you’re short on time, you can hem the edges and use fabric glue to attach the two pieces. Just remember, this method might not be very durable for long-term use.
Once finished, test the cover on the frame to see how it fits.
Follow the same steps as you did for the cover. Using the same pattern, cut out two pieces of lining. Since the lining is the interior part of the lampshade, make sure to trim the shorter edge to fit the frame while keeping the top and bottom parts the same length. Then, stitch the lining together with tight seams and check the fit against the inner frame.
First, attach the cover. Place the cover over the frame. Align the seams with the vertical supports. Pull the excess fabric inside the top and bottom frames, securing it with pins, and sew the fabric in place. Once done sewing, trim any extra fabric.
Second, add the lining and lampshade fitter. Insert the lining inside the cover, and make sure to line up the seams of the cover and the lining. Then, turn down the fitter at the top and make sure it's a tight fit. Pin the lining to the frame and sew along the top and bottom, then trim any excess lining.
Covering a lampshade goes beyond simply wrapping fabric around it, you can also use paper and rope. Don’t miss this must-read guide to covering a lampshade with different materials like a true pro.
To hide the stitches at the top and bottom of the lampshade, you can add decorative trims. Just ensure that the trims don’t extend beyond the rim of the frame, and use glue to secure them.
You can explore many more options beyond simply adding trim or ribbon. Get creative and explore a variety of ways to decorate your lampshade into a standout piece.
You've now become a pro at how to make a lampshade from recycled materials. A beautifully crafted lampshade ready to be placed over the light bulb!
If you’ve got a lampshade-making kit, great! It’ll save you tons of time as you learn how to make a lampshade, literally just minutes!
What You'll Need
Step 1: Prepare the Fabric
Iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles. This will help it lay flat and adhere smoothly to the lining.
Step 2: Attach Adhesive Styrene
Remove the backing from the adhesive styrene and gently press it onto the back of the fabric. This creates a stable lining that also diffuses light evenly.
Step 3: Trim and Glue the Fabric
Trim the fabric, leaving an additional half-inch margin around all edges of the styrene. Apply glue to the overhanging edges and fold them neatly towards the lining side to create a clean edge.
Step 4: Form the Cylinder
Roll the fabric and styrene into a cylinder, slightly overlapping the vertical edges. Apply glue to the overlapping seam, press it down, and secure it with binder clips at the top and bottom until the glue has dried.
Step 5: Attach the Top and Bottom Rings
Apply glue to the overhanging fabric at the top edge. Fold the fabric over the ring, pressing it firmly, and then tuck it neatly underneath the ring for a smooth edge. Repeat this process for the bottom ring.
Step 6: Let it Dry and Ready to Shine!
Attach the lampshade fitter to the top ring, ensuring it's centered and firmly secured. Finally, let the lampshade dry completely, then remove any clips. Your custom drum lampshade is ready to shine!
With styrene, your DIY project is a breeze, right? But if you don't have any on hand, here is how to make a lampshade without styrene and trust us, you'll end up with something even cooler!
What You'll Need
Step 1: Make a Pattern to Cut Fabric
Place a large sheet of paper over one section of the frame, then rub the shape of that section on the paper.
Trace the outline with a marker to create a pattern. Cut out the pattern and verify that it fits the frame correctly. You will need 6 identical patterns if your shade has 6 vertical supports.
Step 2: Cut Fabric
Before cutting, iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles. Trace the pattern shape on the fabric 6 times. Carefully cut out 6 pieces of fabric panels.
Step 3: Attach the Fabric to the Lampshade Frame
Place each fabric piece onto the shade frame, one by one. Use a hot glue gun to secure each panel in place along the wires, top ring, and bottom ring.
Continue gluing until the entire frame is covered with fabric. Once you're finished, trim any excess fabric from the top and bottom rings.
Step 4: Add Finishing Touches
Use hot glue to secure a ribbon over the seams where the fabric panels come together. Next, apply glue to attach trims around the top and bottom edges of the lampshade for a finished appearance.
Drum shade or paneled shade, which one is the ideal fit for your space? Before making one, check some factors to consider when choosing a lampshade and discover your ideal style.
That's all about how to make a lampshade. Crafting your own lampshade is an exciting way to customize your space without breaking the bank. Whether you go with a kit or craft it from scratch, you’ll get to unleash your creativity and whip up a one-of-a-kind design that’s totally your style.
With a few simple supplies, a bit of time, and your imagination, you can make a stunning, custom lampshade that will brighten up any room. Hirosart hopes that through this article, you will soon successfully create your own lampshade.
A drum shade has a smooth, cylindrical shape with fabric wrapped continuously around it. On the other hand, a paneled shade is made of several fabric panels, creating distinct sections for a more structured appearance.
The number of panels depends on the vertical supports in the frame. For example, if your frame has 6 supports, you'll need 6 fabric panels to cover them.
You can use old fabric, newspapers, magazine pages, or even burlap sacks to make a lampshade. For a unique twist, upcycle vintage lace, scraps of wallpaper, or any quirky materials you have on hand.
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