Lampshade making tutorial

15 December 2016



In my post about lampshades here, I said I would share a lampshade making tutorial with you.

I could have done this myself, but I am not geared up for filming (lots of artists are and I admire them, but my own films are a bit, well amateurish! And there are some great tutorials out there. 

I got my supplies from Dannells - they have fantastic kits to get you started and also the component parts once you get going. And the very best double sided tape I have ever come across. 

Here is their instruction video for a basic drum lampshade. 




Of course this uses a commercially available fabric. Which is absolutely fine. But the basic principle of making a lampshade offers lots of possibilities, such as:

  • Embroidered fabrics or papers (as I did)
  • Hand printed fabrics (I know that Miesje Chafer in Eastleigh has made lampshades from her own printed fabrics, but there is nothing on her website - still worth a look though) 
  • Use some sketch book designs and get them printed onto fabric. If you are in the UK then Laura Kemshall offers a fabric printing service
  • You could experiment with patchwork but I suggest experimenting a bit and shining light through the fabric as the seams will show when the light is turned on and might not give you the effect you want.

Happy lampshade making.


6 comments

  1. Thank you for the links Hilary. I've got 3 lampshade kits waiting to be made up having seen all the beautiful shades out there and have never got round to it. I love Maria Lunt's lampshades and keep thinking I'd like to do one of her workshops. Maybe now I'll have a go at the kits. I loved how you made yours with the maps.

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    1. Julie - go for it. The video implies they are a bit fiddly but once you get into the swing of it you'll find it quite straight forward. One thing, if you use fabric allow a little bit extra at the top and bottom of the fabric by the seam ( appx an Astra 5 MM. depth ) as it makes the overlap a bit neater. It's not shown on this video so hope that makes sense.

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  2. Thanks for that link Hilary. I've got two very tatty looking lampshades that cold do with replacing, but I've been horrified at the cost of the ones I would like! Time to get out some of my hand dyes I think.

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    Replies
    1. Give it a go. Not tricky really! Let us know how you get on.

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  3. Hi, I am in the process of gathering the materials to recover a big tapered lampshade in one of Laura Ashley's tweed type fabrics which I love. (I know a drum shade would be much easier to do!) BUT I am unable to find anywhere that can instruct me on how to cut the fabric properly so the stripes etc actually meeting at the seam and not running in a completely different direction - any ideas?
    Kind regards
    Rachel

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    Replies
    1. Hello - have a look on the Needcraft Website. You might have to dig around to find more videos. Alternatively, try Youtube.

      That said, if you have a tapered shape but have a tweed fabric I think you will find it a bit tricky. The shape will be 'curved' where as a tweed fabric will have a very geometric pattern. But have a look. Let me know how you get on.

      Hilary

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